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SOLIDWORKS CAM · Lesson 5: Machining areas and post-processing

Avoid areas, contain areas and NC code generation in the NC Editor.

Lesson goal

Restrict machining to the areas you want and produce the NC code file ready for the machine.

▶

3 videos

✎

1 exercise

Advanced

↳

Prerequisite: Lessons 2 and 4

1. Watch the videos

Dassault Systèmes videos hosted on MySolidWorks: they open in a new tab and a free account is enough. Watch them in order.

Define Avoid AreasVideo 1▶Define Avoid AreasExclude areas defined by 2D sketches from machining on a face milling operation.↗ Define Contain AreasVideo 2▶Define Contain AreasLimit toolpaths to an area defined by 2D sketches.↗ Post Processing ToolpathsVideo 3▶Post Processing ToolpathsGenerate the NC code, save it and review it in the SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Editor.↗

2. Key takeaways

1

An Avoid Area prevents machining in a region, a Contain Area limits machining to it.

2

These areas are defined from 2D sketches of the part, on a given operation.

3

Post-processing uses the post processor selected in the machine to write the NC code.

4

The SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Editor lets you review the generated G-code before sending it to the shop floor.

Tip

Keep the area sketches in the part with an explicit name (AVOID_CLAMP_AREA): when the program is reopened, everyone understands why the tool does not go there.

3. Do the exercise

On a plate to face mill with a clamping area:

  • sketch the clamping area and declare it as an avoid area
  • on a copy of the operation, use a contain area instead
  • post-process the program and open the code in the NC Editor
✓To check: The simulation does not pass over the clamping area and the NC code file is saved in the chosen location.

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