Cover Page

Tolerance Based
Machining
(SOLIDWORKS CAM - TBM)

User Guide
& Tutorials
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Product Name: SOLIDWORKS CAM 2018

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction to ‘SOLIDWORSK CAM - Tolerance Based

Machining’..................................................................................................... 6
What is SOLIDWORKS CAM Tolerance Based Machining (TBM)? ..................6
Salient Features of SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Plug-In ......................................6
Pre-requisites for using SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Plug-In ...............................6
1. Embedded MBD/PMI Data on part to be machined ......................................... 6
2. Run SOLIDWORKS CAM application on a supported CAD Platform .............. 7
3. Adobe Reader XI ............................................................................................. 7
Launching the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Plug-in .............................................7
Commands in SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager .........................8

Run Tolerance Based Machining .................................................................... 8

Tolerance Based Machining - Settings .......................................................... 8

About SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM ..................................................................... 9

2. Assigning Tolerance Ranges & Associated Machining Strategies . 10

How is the Tolerance Range and Mean Tolerance value for a Feature
computed? ............................................................................................................ 10
Where are Tolerance Ranges and associated Machining strategies defined
within SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM? ........................................................................ 11
Parameters in the Tolerance Range tabs ....................................................... 11
Table of Features & Default Strategies ................................................................. 11
Feature ....................................................................................................................... 11
Default Strategy .......................................................................................................... 11
No. of Tol based conditions ......................................................................................... 12
Tolerance Based Conditions grid .......................................................................... 13
Tolerance Range......................................................................................................... 13
Undersize Strategy...................................................................................................... 13
Nominal Strategy......................................................................................................... 13
Oversize Strategy........................................................................................................ 13
Reassigning the Undersize, Nominal and Oversize Strategies ............................. 13
Defining /Editing Tolerance Ranges ..................................................................... 13
How to use the Range dialog box to define /edit Tolerance Ranges ............................ 14
Special Case: Inputting only one single Tolerance limit .................................. 15
Flowchart: Assigning Tolerance Ranges & Strategies .................................... 16
3. Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges ...... 17
Step 1: Open the tutorial part model ............................................................... 17

Table of Contents 3
 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Step 2: Defining Tolerance Ranges for the features ....................................... 18

Step 3: Reassigning Strategies for Tolerance Ranges ................................... 21
Step 4: Execute the ‘Run Tolerance Based Machining’ Command ................ 22
Analyzing how the Machining Strategies have been assigned ....................... 24
Interpreting the information in the Tolerance Range tab ....................................... 24
Table of Features and Default strategies ..................................................................... 25
‘Tolerance range(s) available in the current part’ grid .................................................. 26
Interpreting the Integers within parentheses adjacent to Tolerance Range field .......... 27
Computing Mean Tolerance Values for the Features on the part ......................... 27
Computing Tolerance Range and Mean Tolerance Value for the first Rectangular
Pocket instance ........................................................................................................... 28
Computing Tolerance Range and Mean Tolerance Value for the second
Rectangular Pocket instance ....................................................................................... 29
Computing Tolerance Range and Mean Tolerance Value for the third Rectangular
Pocket instance ........................................................................................................... 30
Reassigning the Machining Strategies.................................................................. 31

4. Assigning Machining Strategies Based on ISO 286 ......................... 32

What is ISO 286? ............................................................................................ 32
How does ISO 286 fit with SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM? .................................. 32
ISO 286 tab of Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box ................. 32
Table of Features and Default Strategies in the ISO 286 tab ............................... 33
Feature ....................................................................................................................... 33
Default Strategy .......................................................................................................... 33
No. of ISO 286 Strategy Conditions............................................................................. 34
ISO Strategy Conditions grid ................................................................................ 34
Designation ................................................................................................................. 34
Size Range ................................................................................................................. 34
Tolerance Values ........................................................................................................ 34
Strategy ...................................................................................................................... 34
Add ISO 286 Strategy Conditions button .............................................................. 35
Steps to add/edit/delete ISO 286 based Strategy Conditions ......................... 35
Editing an ISO Strategy Based Condition/ Reassigning Machining Strategies ..... 35
Deleting an ISO 286 Strategy Based Condition .................................................... 35
Adding an ISO 286 Strategy Condition in the ISO 286 tab ................................... 35
Strategy applied when both Tolerance Based Conditions & ISO 286
Strategy Conditions are defined ...................................................................... 36
Flowchart: Assigning ISO 286 Strategy Conditions ........................................ 38
5. Tutorial 2: Machining a Part Based on ISO 286 Strategy
Conditions................................................................................................... 39
Step 1: Open the tutorial part model ............................................................... 39
Step 2: Execute the Extract Machinable Features Command .................... 40
Step 3: Open the ISO 286 tab ......................................................................... 41

4 Table of Contents
SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Step 4: Assign ISO 286 Strategy Conditions .................................................. 42

Step 5: Execute the Run Tolerance Based Machining Command .................. 44
Selecting the Options in Tolerance Based Machining –Run dialog box ................ 44
Interpreting the information in the ISO 286 tab of TBM-Run dialog box................ 45
Table of Features & Default Strategies ........................................................................ 45
ISO 286 Strategy Conditions Grid ............................................................................... 46
Executing the Run-TBM Command ...................................................................... 47

6. Recognizing Multisurface Features Based on Surface Finish ......... 48

Recognizing Multisurface features using SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM ............. 48
Multisurface Features tab of Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog
box ................................................................................................................... 48
Parameters in the Multisurface Features tab ........................................................ 49
Surface Finish ............................................................................................................. 49
Strategy ...................................................................................................................... 49
Color ........................................................................................................................... 50

Edit Surface Finish .............................................................................................. 50

Edit Color button ................................................................................................ 50

Thumbnail view of the selected color........................................................................... 50
Range dialog box to add Surface Finish ranges in Multisurface Features tab ...... 51
Example illustrating how to add Surface Finish Ranges using Range Dialog box ........ 51
Adding/Editing/Deleting the entries in the Multisurface Features tab ............. 52
Editing the entries in the Multisurface tab ............................................................. 52
Steps to change the color associated with the Strategy condition for a Multisurface
Feature ....................................................................................................................... 52
Reassigning a Strategy ............................................................................................... 53
Deleting entries in the Multisurface Features tab .................................................. 53
Adding new entries in the Multisurface Features tab ............................................ 53
Flowchart: Recognizing Multisurface Features using TBM ............................. 54
7. Tutorial 3: Recognizing Multisurface Features Based on Surface
Finish........................................................................................................... 55
Step 1: Open the tutorial part model ............................................................... 55
Step 2: Assign Settings in Multisurface Features dialog box .......................... 56
Step 3: Execute the Run Tolerance Based Machining Command .................. 60
LEGAL NOTICES ........................................................................................ 63

Table of Contents 5
 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

1. INTRODUCTION TO ‘SOLIDWORSK CAM -

TOLERANCE BASED MACHINING’
What is SOLIDWORKS CAM Tolerance Based
Machining (TBM)?
For CNC Programmers, machining 3D models with close tolerances is a
tricky proposition as it requires them to machine to the mean of the
tolerance. It is very time-consuming to generate a CNC Program for such
parts.
SOLIDWORKS CAM Tolerance Based Machining (TBM) is a newly
introduced plug-in provided with the SOLIDWORKS CAM application. It
leverages SOLIDWORKS dimensions, tolerance ranges and surface finish
annotations to select the correct machining strategies for operations and
machine them to the mean of asymmetric tolerances. It works for 2.5 Axis
Mill Features as well as Multisurface Mill features on Mill parts.
SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM automatically adjusts asymmetric tolerances to
mean tolerances for cutting tool strategies. This machine to mean
capabilities eliminates long-standing issues surrounding differences between
design practices required to tolerance parts based on fit, form and function
versus manufacturing's need to machine geometry based on mean
dimensions and tolerances. This significantly reduces CNC Programming
time and enables you to engage in smart manufacturing.

Salient Features of SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Plug-In

 Reads SOLIDWORKS DIMXpert dimensions
 Reads SOLIDWORKS Machining Based Definition (MBD) information
 Reads Surface Finish annotations
 Adjusts asymmetric tolerances to mean values
 Selects tools, feeds and speeds based on DimXpert and Machining
Based Definition (MBD)

Pre-requisites for using SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM

Plug-In
1. Embedded MBD/PMI Data on part to be machined
Ensure that the part model to be machined has Machine Based Definition
(MBD) and/or Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) data. To do so, use
the SOLIDWORKS DimXpert functionality (which comes with every seat of
SOLIDWORKS) to easily insert dimensions and tolerances

6 Introduction to ‘SOLIDWORSK CAM - Tolerance Based Machining’

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

manually/automatically to create a critical dimension 3D model.

Annotations need to be added only for close dimensions, unique surface
finishes and asymmetric dimensions. As SOLIDWORKS CAM employs
knowledge-based machining, there is no need to add annotations for
dimensions and surface finishes that fall within the standard tolerance
block. Dimensions and surface finishes that fall into the standard
tolerance block will use the standard machining strategies that are
already saved in the Technology Database.

2. Run SOLIDWORKS CAM application on a supported CAD Platform

The SOLIDWORKS CAM Tolerance Based Machining plug-in is automatically
installed when you install the SOLIDWORKS CAM application. In order to
use this plug-in, the SOLIDWORKS CAM application must be run as an
Add-In within the SOLIDWORKS application.

3. Adobe Reader XI
The Adobe Reader application is necessary to view, read, navigate, search
and print the User Guide for SOLIDWORKS CAM Tolerance Based Machining
plug-in.

Launching the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Plug-in

1. Launch the SOLIDWORKS CAM application as an Add-In within the
SOLIDWORKS application.
2. Open the Mill part to be machined.
3. Ensure that this part model has Machine Based Definition (MBD) and/or
Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) data. [Use the SOLIDWORKS
DimXpert functionality for this purpose. Note that annotations need to
be added only for close dimensions, unique surface finishes and
asymmetric dimensions.]
4. On the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager, click on the Tolerance
Based Machining command button .
5. This command activates the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager.
Click on this Command Manager to peruse commands associated with
the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM plug-in.
The SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Plug-In is now ready for use.

Introduction to ‘SOLIDWORSK CAM - Tolerance Based Machining’ 7

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Commands in SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command

Manager
Run Tolerance Based Machining
Executing this command opens the Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog
box. Use the options provided in this dialog box to:
 Select the Tolerance Based Machining options that are to be executed
when the OK button in this dialog box is clicked.
 Optionally select the processes (such as feature recognition,
generation of operations, sorting of operations and generation of
toolpaths) to be executed prior to generation of NC code for machining
the part.
- Depending on the units system selected (MMGS or IPS) in
SOLIDWORKS, when the Recognize Tolerance Range checkbox
option is selected in the Run tab of the Tolerance Based Machining
– Run dialog box, the Tolerance Range (mm) or Tolerance Range
(inch) tab will be displayed within the dialog box. How to interpret
and use the information displayed in the Tolerance Range (mm)/
Tolerance Range (inch) tab is explained with the help of an
illustrative tutorial in Chapter 3 of this User Guide under the section
“Interpreting the information in the Tolerance Range tab”.
- If the active unit system is MMGS and the Recognize ISO 286 limits
and fits checkbox option is selected in the Run tab of the Tolerance
Based Machining – Run dialog box, the ISO 286 tab will be displayed
within the dialog box. How to interpret and use the information
displayed in this tab is explained with the help of an illustrative
tutorial in Chapter 5 of this User Guide under the section
“Interpreting the information in the ISO 286 tab of TBM-Run dialog
box”.

Tolerance Based Machining - Settings

Executing this command opens the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings
dialog box.
 Use the Tolerance Range tabs in this dialog box to setup different
tolerance ranges for different features and specify which machining
strategy you want to use for each tolerance range. Once the tolerance
ranges have been defined and the strategies have been assigned to
each tolerance range, the system is ready to automatically select the
correct strategies based on the MBD or PMI data and program the
part.
[Chapter 2 in this Guide explains how to use the parameters within the
Tolerance Range tabs of this dialog box while Chapter 3 provides an

8 Introduction to ‘SOLIDWORSK CAM - Tolerance Based Machining’

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

illustrative tutorial that explains how to machine a mill part using tolerance
ranges and machining strategies defined in the Tolerance Range tab.]

 Use the ISO 286 tab in this dialog box to machine Hole and Circular
Boss features based on ISO 286 Strategy Conditions (where machining
strategies are assigned based on Size Ranges and Tolerances values
defined per the in ISO 286 standard).
[Chapter 4 in this Guide explains how to use the parameters within the ISO
286 tab of this dialog box while Chapter 5 provides an illustrative tutorial
that explains how to machine a mill part with hole features based on ISO
286 Strategy Conditions.]

 Use the Multisurface Features tab in this dialog box to recognize

multisurface features and assign specific machining strategies to such
multisurface features on the basis of their Surface Finish values.
[Tutorial_3 in this Guide illustrates how to machine a part using tolerance
ranges define din this tab.]

About SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM

Executing this command opens the About SOLIDWORKS CAM - Tolerance Based
Machining dialog box. This dialog box gives information about the
SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM plug-in.

Introduction to ‘SOLIDWORSK CAM - Tolerance Based Machining’ 9

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

2. ASSIGNING TOLERANCE RANGES &

ASSOCIATED MACHINING STRATEGIES
If MBD/PMI data is embedded in a Mill part model to be machined, then
using SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM, machining strategies can be assigned to
individual tolerance ranges defined for the 2.5 Axis Mill features.
When the Run Tolerance Based Machining command is executed, the correct
machining strategies will be assigned to the 2.5 Axis Mill Features that are
recognized on the part. These machining strategies will be assigned based
on the tolerance range match and mean tolerance value. Operations will be
generated on the basis of these assigned machining strategies.

How is the Tolerance Range and Mean Tolerance value for a Feature
computed?
The tolerance range for a feature is the difference between its upper
tolerance limit and lower tolerance limit.
The mean tolerance value is the sum of the upper and lower tolerance limits
of the feature divided by two.
These definitions are best understood via an illustrative example:
Upper Tolerance Limit
Feature
Dimensions Lower Tolerance
Limit

MBD data for a Rectangular Pocket Feature

For the above rectangular pocket feature, the dimension is 15 units, the
upper tolerance limit is 0.1 units and the lower tolerance limit is -0.2 units.
The tolerance range is difference between upper and lower limits of the
feature. In this case, it would be [0.1- (-0.2)] which is equal to 0.3 units.
The mean tolerance value is the sum of the upper and lower tolerance limits
of the feature divided by 2. In this case, it would be [(-0.2+0.1)/2] which is
equal to -0.05 units.

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SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Where are Tolerance Ranges and associated Machining strategies

defined within SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM?
Tolerance ranges for the different 2.5 Axis Mill feature types are defined in
the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box. This dialog box is
displayed when the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings button on the
SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager is clicked.
Two separate tabs are provided in this dialog box to define the tolerance
ranges.
a. Use the Tolerance Range (mm) tab to define the Tolerance based
conditions in millimeters (MMGS unit system). This is the default tab
displayed when you the dialog box is displayed.
b. Use the Tolerance Range (inch) tab to define the Tolerance based
conditions in inches (IPS unit system).

Parameters in the Tolerance Range tabs

Table of Features & Default Strategies
Feature
The Feature column lists all the types of 2.5 Axis Mill features for which
Tolerance based conditions have been defined.
 If the tolerance based conditions have not been defined for a
particular feature type, then the font color for that particular feature
type’s listing within this tab will be magenta in color.
 If the tolerance based conditions have been defined for a particular
feature type, then the font color for that particular feature type’s
listing within this tab will be black in color.

Default Strategy
For every feature type listed in the table of the Tolerance Range (mm) and
Tolerance Range (inch) tabs, the corresponding entry in the Default Strategy
field indicates the default machining strategy assigned to the feature in
the Technology Database.
On executing the Run Tolerance Based Machining command, the Default
Strategy will be applied to a recognized 2.5 Axis feature in the following
cases:
 If tolerance based conditions have not been defined at all for the
particular 2.5 Axis Mill Feature type. (Such feature types can easily be
identified in the Tolerance Range tab by the magenta font color for that
particular feature type’s listing.)
 Feature types for which the mean tolerance computed doesn’t fall
within any of the tolerance ranges defined for that feature within the
Tolerance Range tab.

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 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

No. of Tol based conditions

For every feature type listed in the table within the Tolerance Range tab,
the corresponding entry in the No. of Tol based conditions column
indicates the number of tolerance ranges defined for that particular
feature type.
If no tolerance based conditions have been defined for a particular
feature type (i.e. the No. of Tol based conditions field indicates the value of
‘0’), then the font color for that particular feature type’s listing within this
tab will be magenta. If defined, then the font will be black in color.
When a particular feature type is selected in the grid, the tolerance based
conditions (indicating the tolerance range and associated machining
strategies) for this selected feature will be displayed in the Tolerance
based conditions grid at the bottom of this tab.

Selected
Feature

Table of features
and Default
Strategies

Tolerance Based
Conditions grid
(displayed for
selected feature)

‘Tolerance Range’ tab of Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box

12 Assigning Tolerance Ranges & Associated Machining Strategies

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Tolerance Based Conditions grid

When a desired feature type is selected in the grid of the Tolerance Range
tab, the tolerance based conditions (indicating the tolerance ranges and
associated machining strategies) for the selected feature will be displayed in
the Tolerance based conditions grid at the bottom of this tab.

Tolerance Range
This column indicates the tolerance ranges defined for the feature type
selected in the grid. For each range, the lower and upper limit of the
tolerance range is displayed along with the units (mm or inches).

Undersize Strategy
This strategy will be applied when the mean tolerance value computed
for the feature has a negative value.

Nominal Strategy
This strategy will be applied when the mean tolerance value computed
for the feature is “0”.

Oversize Strategy
This strategy will be applied when the mean tolerance value computed
for the feature has a positive value.

Reassigning the Undersize, Nominal and Oversize Strategies

When you define a new tolerance range for a selected feature in the
Tolerance Range tab, the default strategy defined for the feature in the
Technology Database will be assigned as the Undersize, Nominal and Oversize
strategies for that particular tolerance range.
You can change/edit the Undersize, Nominal or Oversize strategy for a
tolerance range by simply clicking on that desired Strategy field. Clicking on
the Strategy field displays a dropdown list of all machining strategies defined
in the Technology Database for that particular feature type, including user-
defined strategies. Select the desired strategy from this dropdown list to
reassign the strategy for a tolerance range. The changes will be saved when
you click the OK button of the dialog box.

Defining /Editing Tolerance Ranges

To define/edit the tolerance ranges for a selected 2.5 Axis Mill feature type,

clicking on the Edit Tolerance Range button at the bottom left corner of
the Tolerance Range tab. Clicking on this button displays the Range dialog

Assigning Tolerance Ranges & Associated Machining Strategies 13

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

box. Use this dialog box to define/edit the tolerance ranges. How to use this
dialog box is explained in the next section via an illustrative example.

Tolerance Range list

Enter Tolerance Range

Add Tolerance Range
Limit field
button command

Range dialog box

How to use the Range dialog box to define /edit Tolerance Ranges
How to use the Range dialog box to define/edit tolerance ranges for a
feature is best understood through an illustrative example.
Consider that you want to define the following three tolerance ranges for
a particular 2.5 Axis feature type:
Lower Limit Upper Limit
Range 1 0.0 0.02
Range 2 0.02 0.05
Range 3 0.05 0.1

The steps to define these tolerance range limits are as follows:

i. Click on the Edit Tolerance Range button at the bottom left

corner of the Tolerance Range tab. The Range dialog box will be
displayed.
ii. Input each unique tolerance range limit in the Enter Tolerance Range
Limit field. (In this example, there are four unique tolerance range
limits viz. 0, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1.)

14 Assigning Tolerance Ranges & Associated Machining Strategies

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Note: Enter only the numerical value in this field. Do not enter the
associated units as separate Tolerance Range tabs are provided
for MMGS and IPS unitary systems.
iii. After you input a tolerance range limit, click on the Add Tolerance
Range button command .
iv. The tolerance range limit you had input will be listed in the
Tolerance Range list of this dialog box. Repeat Steps i. and ii. for all
remaining unique tolerance range limits. The Tolerance Range list
will automatically sort and display the tolerance range limits in
ascending order of value.
Note: When adding multiple tolerance range limits in this dialog box, it
is not necessary to add the limits in ascending or descending
order of value. The Tolerance Range list will automatically sort
and list the input values in ascending order from top to bottom
row.
v. In case you accidentally input an incorrect tolerance range limit, you
can delete its entry from the Tolerance Range list by selecting the
entry with a single mouse-click and pressing the Delete button.
vi. After all tolerance range limits have been input, click on the OK
button in the Range dialog box.
The Range dialog box will close and the new Tolerance Ranges
defined will be listed in ascending order in the Tolerance Based
Conditions grid of the Tolerance Range tab.

Special Case: Inputting only one single Tolerance limit

A lower and upper limit is required to define a tolerance range. If you
press the OK button when only one limit is listed in the Tolerance Range
list, then the value of zero will be assigned as the lower limit and the
Tolerance range limit entered will be assigned as the upper limit the
subsequent Tolerance Range.

Given on the next page is a flowchart that summarizes the concepts

explained in this chapter viz. how to assign Tolerance Ranges and
associated Machining Strategies using the Tolerance Based Machining –
Settings dialog box.

Assigning Tolerance Ranges & Associated Machining Strategies 15

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Flowchart: Assigning Tolerance Ranges & Strategies

Is
MBD data or Click on the Tolerance Based
Open the Mill part model PMI data embedded Yes Machining - Settings
to be machined. in the part model to command on the SW CAM –
be machined? TBM Command Manager.

No

Ensure that the MBD data The Tolerance

and/or PMI data is Based Machining -
embedded in this part Settings dialog box
model to be machined. will be displayed.

Do
you want to
Have
Click on the Tolerance define Tolerance
Tolerance Ranges Range (mm) tab. MMGS ranges in MMGS units
been defined for the
units or IPS units?
selected Feature
type?

IPS units
Yes Click on the Tolerance
No Range (inch) tab.

Are
the tolerance Use the displayed Range
ranges defined for Click on the Edit dialog box to edit/define
the selected feature type as Tolerance Range button. the tolerance ranges and
No click on the OK button.
per your
requirements?

Yes

Have
Click on the OK button tolerance Assign/edit the Nominal
to close the ranges been defined Strategy, Undersize
Yes Strategy and Oversize
Tolerance Based for all the desired feature
Machining - Settings type as per your Strategy for the tolerance
dialog box. requirements? ranges.

No

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SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

3. Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part

based on Tolerance Ranges
This tutorial illustrates how to machine a mill part containing embedded
MBD data using the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM functionality to assign
machining strategies based on tolerance ranges defined for the 2.5 Axis Mill
features.
Before proceeding with this tutorial, ensure that you have understood the
concepts explained in Chapter 2 of this document.

Step 1: Open the tutorial part model

i. Launch SOLIDWORKS CAM application as an Add-In within the
SOLIDWORKS application.
ii. Click on the File menu of SOLIDWORKS application and select the Open
menu option.
iii. The File Open dialog box will be displayed. Browse to the following
folder location:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\CAM
Examples\TBM_SampleParts\Tutorials Parts
iv. Select the TBM_Tutorial_1.SLDPRT file and click on the Open button.
v. The selected tutorial solid model part will be displayed in the graphics
area of the SOLIDWORKS application.

TBM_Tutorial_1.SLDPRT

Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges 17

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

vi. Observe that this part model has three rectangular pockets and a
counterbore hole feature. Also observe that the dimensions and
tolerance limits have been defined for each of the three rectangular
pocket features.

Step 2: Defining Tolerance Ranges for the features

In this step, we will use the parameters within the Tolerance Based Machining -
Settings dialog box to assign different tolerance ranges for the different
feature types and then specify the machining strategies for each tolerance
range defined.
i. On the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager, click on the Tolerance

Based Machining command button .

ii. The SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager will be activated. Click

on the Tolerance Based Machining - Settings command on this

Command Manager.
iii. The Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box will be displayed.
In this tutorial, the dimensions and tolerance limits are expressed in
inches (IPS units). Hence, click on the Tolerance range (inch) tab within
this dialog box.
iv. The solid part model under consideration in this tutorial has three
rectangular pocket features. Hence, in the table of Features and
Default Strategies, click on the entry for Rectangular Pocket in order to
select it.

18 Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Select this entry

Tolerance Based
Conditions
corresponding to
selected entry

Tolerance Range (inch) tab

v. Observe the Tolerance Based Conditions grid for the Rectangular Pocket
entry. Only two ranges have been defined. In this tutorial, the existing
Tolerance Ranges will be edited and replaced with the following four
tolerance ranges:
Lower Limit Upper Limit
Range 1 0.0 0.002
Range 2 0.002 0.02
Range 3 0.02 0.06
Range 4 0.06 1

vi. To edit the Tolerance Ranges, click on the Edit Tolerance Range button

at the bottom left corner of the Tolerance Range tab. The Range
dialog box will be displayed. Three Tolerance limits (viz. 0.0, 0.002 and
1 are already displayed within this dialog box.
vii. Based on the above Tolerance Range table, the new set of tolerance
ranges to be input has 5 unique values viz. 0.0, 0.002, 0.02, 0.06 and 1.

Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges 19

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Hence, the only two tolerance limits missing in the Range dialog box are
0.02 and 0.06. In the in the Enter Tolerance Range Limit field, input the
value 0.02 and click on the Add Tolerance Range button command .

Adding Tolerance Limits to the Range dialog box

viii. The value 0.02 will be added to the Tolerance Range list and will be
automatically sorted and listed in ascending order within the Range
dialog box. In the in the Enter Tolerance Range Limit field, input the
value 0.06 and click on the Add Tolerance Range button command .
ix. This value too will be automatically sorted and listed within the in
ascending order within the Range dialog box. Click on the OK button to
apply the changes and close the Range dialog box.
x. Observe the table of Features and Default Strategies. In the No. of Tol
based Conditions field for the rectangular Pocket feature, the value
has changed from 2 to 4 indicating that four tolerance ranges are now
defined for the Rectangular Pocket feature.
xi. Observe the Tolerance Based Conditions grid. Of the four tolerance
ranges listed, three are new ranges. For all these new tolerance
ranges that have been defined, the machining strategy assigned to the
Undersize Strategy, Nominal Strategy and Oversize Strategy are the
same as the default strategy for the Rectangular Pocket feature.

20 Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Strategies assigned
are the same as the
Default Strategy

Strategies assigned to the New Tolerance Ranges

Step 3: Reassigning Strategies for Tolerance Ranges

In this step, some of the machining strategies assigned to the Tolerance
Ranges for the rectangular Pocket feature will be reassigned.
i. In the Tolerance Based Conditions grid, highlight the first range viz. 0.0 to
0.002 in.
ii. For this selected entry, click on the Undersize Strategy field and select
Coarse from the dropdown list.

Reassigning the Undersize Strategy for a selected Tolerance Range

Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges 21

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

iii. Next, highlight the last range viz. 0.6 to 1 in. For this selected entry,
click on the Oversize Strategy field and select Rough-Finish from the
dropdown list.

Reassigning the Oversize Strategy for a selected Tolerance Range

iv. The desired machining strategies have now been assigned to all the
Tolerance Ranges for the Rectangular Pocket feature. Click on the OK
button to close the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box.

Step 4: Execute the ‘Run Tolerance Based Machining’

Command
i. On the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager, click on the Run
Tolerance Based Machining command.
ii. Executing this command opens the Tolerance Based Machining – Run
dialog box. The Run tab provides checkbox options to select the
processes to be executed.
iii. In this tutorial, machining strategies are to be assigned to 2.5 Axis Mill
Features based on Tolerance Ranges. Hence, place a check in the
checkbox labelled Recognize tolerance range.
Note: Placing a check in the Recognize tolerance range checkbox
activates the Tolerance Range tab. How to interpret the information
in the Tolerance Range tab is explained in the next section:
Interpreting the information in the Tolerance Range tab.

22 Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Run tab of Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog box

iv. The options to machine Hole and Circular Boss features based on ISO
286 Strategy Conditions is not applicable in when IPS units are used.
Hence the Recognize ISO 286 limits and fits option is greyed out.
v. The solid model part under consideration in this tutorial does not have
any multisurface features. Hence the option Recognize multisurface
features based on surface finish will not be checked.
vi. The Recognize tolerance range option to assign machining strategies to
2.5 Axis Mill Features will work only if 2.5 Axis Mill Features for the
solid part model under consideration have been recognized and listed
in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree. If the case of this tutorial part,
the features have not been recognized and listed in the SOLIDWORKS
CAM Feature tree. Use any one of the following options to recognize the
2.5 Axis Mill features:
a. Place a check in the Automatic Feature Recognition checkbox
within the Run tab. (This will ensure that 2.5 Axis Mill features
are recognized first and then machining strategies are assigned
based on the tolerance ranges defined for the recognized
features.)
b. Switch to the Tolerance Range tab within this dialog box and click

on the Extract Machinable Features command button at the

bottom left corner of the tab. (Executing this command will

Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges 23

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

immediately recognize all the 2.5 Axis Mill Features on the solid
part and list them in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.)
For the purposes of this tutorial, the first option will be exercised viz.
the Automatic Feature Recognition checkbox within the Run tab will be
checked.
vii. In the Run tab, You can optionally chose to generate the operations
based on the machining strategies that will be assigned to the features
listed in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree by placing a check in the
Generate Operation Plan checkbox.
viii. Similarly, you can place checks in the Sort Operation and Generate
Toolpath check boxes if required. In this tutorial, these checkboxes
won’t be checked.
ix. Click on the OK button to close this dialog box and execute the
command.
Note: Whenever the Run Tolerance Based Machining command is
executed, the Run tab of the Tolerance Based Machining – Run
dialog box will retain the settings for the checkboxes from the
previous execution of the command.
x. It will take a few seconds for the executed command to recognize the
features and the matching tolerance ranges. Observe the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree. All the 2.5 Axis Mill features on the
solid part model have been successfully recognized and the correct
machining strategies have been assigned.

Analyzing how the Machining Strategies have been

assigned
Let us now analyze the logic behind how the machining strategies were
assigned to the four 2.5 Axis Mill Features recognized on the solid part
model under consideration.
On the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager, once again click on the

Run Tolerance Based Machining command to view the Tolerance Based

Machining – Run dialog box. In the Run tab of this dialog box, observe that
checkboxes that were checked during the previous execution of the
command have been retained.

Interpreting the information in the Tolerance Range tab

Click on the Tolerance Range (inch) tab within this dialog box. This tab is
displayed in the Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog box only when the
Recognize tolerance range checkbox in the Run tab is checked.

24 Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Tolerance Range tab in Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog box

The contents of this tab is almost identical to the contents of the Tolerance
Range tab in the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box but with a
key difference. The Tolerance Range tab in the Tolerance Based Machining-
Run dialog box provides additional information on the number of matches
found between the Tolerance Based Conditions listed in this tab and the
feature instances on the part being machined.
How to interpret the information in this tab is best understood via an
illustrated example. Using this tutorial as an example, the explanation of the
information displayed in this tab is given below.

Table of Features and Default strategies

Observe the table of listed features and default strategies. The last column
in the table viz. Identified Conditions indicates whether matching tolerance
ranges were found or not for the particular feature type on the part model.
 If one or more particular matching Tolerance Based Conditions have
been identified for 2.5 Axis Mill feature recognized on the solid part,
then the corresponding entry for that feature in this table will be in

Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges 25

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

black color font. The Identified Conditions field will indicate the number
of matching Tolerance Based Conditions.
For this tutorial part, only the entry for the Rectangular Pocket feature
will be displayed in black font color within this tab as three matching
tolerance based conditions have been identified for the rectangular
pocket features present on the solid part.
 For all 2.5 axis features that have not been recognized on the solid
part, their respective entries will be displayed in magenta color.
 For 2.5 Axis features that have been recognized on the part and listed
in the Feature tree,
- If no matching tolerance based conditions are identified, then their
respective entries will be displayed in magenta color
- If tolerance based conditions have not been defined at all, then
their respective entries will be displayed in magenta color
- If MBD/PMI data has not been assigned for those particular feature
types on the solid model part, then their respective entries will be
displayed in magenta color.
In the solid model used in this tutorial, no MBD/PMI data was
assigned to its counterbore hole feature. Hence, entry for the
Counterbore hole feature in the table is displayed in magenta color.
The default strategy of Drill was assigned to this feature once the
feature was recognized.
 The Identified Conditions field for all Feature entries displayed in
magenta color will display the number ‘0’ indicating that no matching
tolerance based conditions were found.

‘Tolerance range(s) available in the current part’ grid

As observed in the previous section, the solid part in this tutorial has three
rectangular pocket features for which machining strategies were assigned on
the basis on matching tolerance based conditions. Highlight the Rectangular
Pocket entry in the table of features and default strategies. Observe the
corresponding Tolerance range(s) available in the current part at the bottom of
the tab.
 If a tolerance based condition listed in this grid matches with one or more
feature instances of the selected feature type on the solid part, then its
entry will be displayed in black color font within the grid.
 If a tolerance based condition listed in this grid doesn’t match with any
feature instance of the selected feature type, then its entry will be
displayed in magenta color font within the grid.

26 Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Tolerance range(s) available in the current part

Interpreting the Integers within parentheses adjacent to Tolerance Range field

Adjacent to the Tolerance Range value are three integer numbers separated
by commas and contained within parentheses. For the selected feature type
in the Tolerance Range tab, these numbers indicate the following:
 The first number in the bracket indicates the number of feature instances
present in the Feature tree which fulfills the Tolerance Based Condition
such that the Undersize Strategy for machining will be applied.
 The second number in the bracket indicates the number of feature
instances present in the Feature tree which fulfills the Tolerance Based
Condition such that the Nominal Strategy for machining will be applied.
 The third number in the bracket indicates the number of feature
instances present in the Feature tree which fulfills the Tolerance Based
Condition such that the Oversize Strategy for machining will be applied.
For tolerance based conditions listed in black color font within this grid, at
least one of the integers within the parentheses will have a non-zero value
indicating a match with one or more feature instances.

Computing Mean Tolerance Values for the Features on the part

In this section, we will understand the mechanism behind how machining
strategies were assigned to the feature instances on the part for which
dimensions and tolerance limits were defined using MBD/PMI data.

Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges 27

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Computing Tolerance Range and Mean Tolerance Value for the first
Rectangular Pocket instance

Rectangular Pocket Feature instance in Rectangular Pocket feature on

SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree the solid part

For the above rectangular pocket feature, the dimension is 2.25 inches, the
upper tolerance limit is 0.03 inches and the lower tolerance limit is -0.01
inches.
The tolerance range is difference between upper and lower limits of the
feature. In this case, it would be [0.03- (-0.01)] which is equal to 0.04
inches.
The mean tolerance value is the sum of the upper and lower tolerance limits
of the feature divided by 2. In this case, it would be [(-0.01+0.03)/2] which
is equal to 0.01 inches.
Based on this information, the tolerance range of 0.04 inches computed for
this Rectangular Pocket feature instance falls within the tolerance range
defined for the third Tolerance Based Condition entry. As the mean
tolerance value is a positive value, the Oversize Strategy assigned to this
tolerance based condition will be assigned to the Feature instance when the
TBM command to assign machining strategies based on tolerance ranges is
executed.

Matching Tolerance Based Condition for first Rectangular Pocket Instance

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Computing Tolerance Range and Mean Tolerance Value for the second
Rectangular Pocket instance

Rectangular Pocket Feature instance in Rectangular Pocket feature on

SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree the solid part

For the above rectangular pocket feature, the dimension is 2.25 inches, the
upper tolerance limit is 0.005 inches and the lower tolerance limit is -0.005
inches.
The tolerance range is difference between upper and lower limits of the
feature. In this case, it would be [0.005- (-0.005)] which is equal to 0.01
inches.
The mean tolerance value is the sum of the upper and lower tolerance limits
of the feature divided by 2. In this case, it would be [(-0.005+0.005)/2]
which is equal to 0 inches.
Based on this information, the tolerance range of 0.01 inches computed for
this Rectangular Pocket feature instance falls within the tolerance range
defined for the second Tolerance Based Condition entry. As the mean
tolerance value is zero, the Nominal Strategy assigned to this tolerance
based condition will be assigned to the Feature instance when the TBM
command to assign machining strategies based on tolerance ranges is
executed.

Matching Tolerance Based Condition for second Rectangular Pocket Instance

Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges 29

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Computing Tolerance Range and Mean Tolerance Value for the third
Rectangular Pocket instance

Rectangular Pocket Feature instance in Rectangular Pocket feature on

SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree the solid part

For the above rectangular pocket feature, the dimension is 1.5 inches, the
upper tolerance limit is 0 inches and the lower tolerance limit is -0.001
inches.
The tolerance range is difference between upper and lower limits of the
feature. In this case, it would be [0- (-0.001)] which is equal to 0.001
inches.
The mean tolerance value is the sum of the upper and lower tolerance limits
of the feature divided by 2. In this case, it would be [(-0.001+0)/2] which is
equal to -0.0005 inches.
Based on this information, the tolerance range of 0.001 inches computed for
this Rectangular Pocket feature instance falls within the tolerance range
defined for the first Tolerance Based Condition entry. As the mean tolerance
value is a negative value, the Undersize Strategy assigned to this tolerance
based condition will be assigned to the Feature instance when the TBM
command to assign machining strategies based on tolerance ranges is
executed.

Matching Tolerance Based Condition for third Rectangular Pocket Instance

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Reassigning the Machining Strategies

After the execution of the Run Tolerance Based Machining command, if you
want to change the machining strategies assigned to the feature instances
based on their tolerance ranges, you can do so by changing the strategies in
the Tolerance Range tab of the Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog box.

Execute the Run Tolerance Based Machining command on the

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager to view the Tolerance Based
Machining – Run dialog box. Click on the Tolerance Range tab and select the
desired Feature type. The corresponding tolerance based conditions will be
displayed in the Tolerance range(s) available in the current part grid at the bottom
of the tab.
To change an assigned strategy, click on the corresponding Undersize
Strategy, Nominal Strategy or Oversize Strategy field and assign the desired
machining strategy from the dropdown list. Switch to the Run tab of the
dialog box and click on the OK button. The machining strategies for feature
instances with matching tolerance based conditions will be reassigned based
on the new settings.

Tutorial 1: Machining a Solid Part based on Tolerance Ranges 31

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

4. ASSIGNING MACHINING STRATEGIES BASED

ON ISO 286

What is ISO 286?

ISO 286 is an internationally used standard that provides standard tolerance
classes and limit deviations for Holes and Circular boss features based on
their nominal dimensions. It helps the manufacturer to machine the parts
with specified limit deviations as given by the engineer(s).

How does ISO 286 fit with SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM?

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM provides a functionality wherein you can choose to
machine Hole and Circular Boss features present on a 3D part model based on
ISO 286 Strategy Conditions (where machining strategies are assigned based
on Size Ranges and Tolerances values as defined in ISO 286).
It is provided in the form of the ISO 286 tab in the Tolerance Based Machining
– Settings dialog box.
In order to machine Hole and Circular Boss features using this functionality,
ensure that the following conditions are fulfilled:
i. MBD/PMI data is assigned for the Hole and Circular Boss features
present on the part model to be machined.
ii. The Unit system selected in SOLIDWORKS is a Metric based one
(preferably MMGS units). [This is necessary as ISO 286 Standard is
not supported for IPS unit system.]
iii. The necessary ISO 286 Strategy Conditions are defined in the ISO 286
tab of the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box for Hole
and/or Circular Boss features.

iv. When you execute the Run Tolerance Based Machining command ,
the Recognize ISO 286 limits and fits option in the Run tab of Tolerance
Based Machining – Run dialog box is checked.

An illustrative tutorial explaining how to machine holes using the ISO 286
standard in provided in the next chapter.

ISO 286 tab of Tolerance Based Machining – Settings

dialog box
When you click on the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings command button
on the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager, the Tolerance Based
Machining – Settings dialog box is displayed. Use the ISO 286 tab of this

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dialog box to define ISO 286 Strategy Conditions for Hole and Circular Boss
features.

ISO 286 tab of Tolerance Based Machining - Settings dialog box

Table of Features and Default Strategies in the ISO 286 tab

Feature
The Feature column lists the two feature types covered by ISO 286 viz.
Hole and Circular Boss features.
- If ISO 286 Strategy Conditions have not been defined for a particular
feature type, then the font color for that particular feature type’s entry
within this tab will be magenta in color.
- If ISO 286 Strategy Conditions have been defined for a particular feature
type, then the font color for that particular feature type’s listing within
this tab will be black in color.

Default Strategy
For every feature type listed in the ISO 286 tab, the corresponding entry
in the Default Strategy field indicates the default machining strategy
assigned for that feature in the Technology Database.
On executing the Run Tolerance Based Machining command, the Default
Strategy will be applied to the specific instances of Hole and Circular Boss
features present on the solid part in the following cases:
 ISO 286 Strategy Conditions have not been defined at all in the ISO 286
tab for the Hole or Circular Boss feature. (Such a feature can easily be
identified by the magenta font color of its entry within the ISO 286 tab.)
 The feature instances do not fulfill any of the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions
defined in the ISO 286 tab.

Assigning Machining Strategies Based on ISO 286 33

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

No. of ISO 286 Strategy Conditions

For the Hole and Circular Boss feature types listed in the ISO 286 tab, the
corresponding entry in the No. of ISO 286 Strategy Conditions field
indicates the number of ISO 286 Strategy Conditions defined for that
particular feature type.

ISO Strategy Conditions grid

When the Hole or Circular Boss feature is selected in the ISO 286 tab, the
corresponding ISO 286 Strategy Conditions will be displayed below the table.
Use this grid to view/edit the machining strategies for the selected feature
type.
For the selected feature, this grid lists all those ISO 286 Designations, Size
Ranges and corresponding Tolerance values for which machining strategies
have been assigned.
The number of entries (rows) in this grid is equal to the number indicated in
the No. of ISO 286 Strategy Based Conditions field for the selected feature.

Designation
This field indicates the designation for ISO 286 Tolerance limits. Within
this grid, this is a read-only value.
 ISO Hole Tolerance limits are designated with upper case letters.
 ISO Shaft (Circular Boss) Tolerance limits are designated with lower
case letters.
Size Range
This field indicates the Size Range (in millimeters) within which the
nominal dimensions of the feature instance being machined must fall in
order for the ISO 286 Strategy Condition to be applied. Within this grid, this
is a read-only value.
Note: Using the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM plug-in, you can define ISO 286
Strategy Conditions only for those Hole and Circular Boss features
whose dimensions fall within the size range of 3 mm to 400 mm.

Tolerance Values

This field indicates the Tolerance Range (in millimeters) associated with
the defined Size Range as per the ISO 286 standard. Within this grid, this
is a read-only value.

Strategy
This field indicates the machining strategy that will be applied to the
feature being machined if it fulfills the ISO 286 Strategy Condition. You can
also assign user-defined strategies from this dropdown list provided they

34 Assigning Machining Strategies Based on ISO 286

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

have been added to the Technology Database for the selected feature
type.
When you click on the specific Strategy field, a dropdown list of all
machining strategies defined in the Technology Database for that
particular feature type will be displayed. You can reassign the Strategy by
selecting the desired from this dropdown list. The changes will be saved
when you click the OK button of the Tolerance Based Machining - Settings
dialog box.

Add ISO 286 Strategy Conditions button

Clicking on the Add ISO 286 Strategy Conditions button at the bottom
left corner of the tab opens the Add ISO 286 Strategy Conditions dialog box.
Use this dialog box to add ISO 286 based strategy conditions.

Steps to add/edit/delete ISO 286 based Strategy

Conditions
Editing an ISO Strategy Based Condition/ Reassigning Machining
Strategies
For an ISO 286 Strategy Condition listed in the ISO 286 Strategy Condition
grid, only the machining strategy assigned in the Strategy field can be edited
as all the other parameters are read-only values.
When you click on the specific Strategy field, a dropdown list of all machining
strategies defined in the Technology Database for that particular feature
type will be displayed. You can reassign the Strategy by selecting the desired
from this dropdown list. The changes will be saved when you click the OK
button of the Tolerance Based Machining - Settings dialog box.

Deleting an ISO 286 Strategy Based Condition

In the ISO Strategy Conditions grid, delete any unwanted entries. To delete
an ISO 286 Strategy Condition listed in this grid, select the entry using a left
mouse click and press the Delete button on the keyboard.

Adding an ISO 286 Strategy Condition in the ISO 286 tab

Following are the steps to add an ISO 286 Strategy Condition to the ISO 286
Strategy Conditions grid in the ISO 286 tab for a Hole or Circular Boss
feature:
1. In the ISO 286 tab of the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog
box, select the feature (Hole or Circular Boss) in the table of Features

Assigning Machining Strategies Based on ISO 286 35

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

& Default Strategies for which the ISO 286 Strategy Condition is to be
added.

2. Click on the Add ISO 286 Strategy Conditions button command at the
bottom left corner of the tab.
3. The Add ISO 286 Strategy Conditions dialog box will be displayed.

Add ISO 286 Strategy Conditions dialog box

4. Using the parameters in this dialog box, select settings for the new
strategy condition as follows.
i. Select the Designation, Size and Strategy using the respective
dropdown list to define an ISO 286 Strategy Condition.
ii. Click on the Add button of this dialog box to add the strategy
condition to the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions grid.
iii. After addition of the new strategy condition, the Add ISO 286
Strategy Conditions dialog box will still remain open, thus allowing
you to add entries for new ISO 286 Strategy Conditions without
the need to reopen the dialog box multiple times.
iv. Once you have added all the desired ISO Strategy Conditions,
click on the Close button to exit this dialog box.
v. The ISO 286 Strategy Conditions grid will be populated with the
customized Strategy conditions that you have defined.
vi. Click on the OK button to apply these changes/additions and
close the Tolerance Based Machining - Settings dialog box.

Strategy applied when both Tolerance Based

Conditions & ISO 286 Strategy Conditions are defined
For Hole and/or Circular Boss features, if Tolerance based conditions are
defined in the Tolerance Range (mm) tab and ISO 286 Strategy Conditions are
defined in the ISO 286 tab of Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box,
then the machining strategy that would be applied to the hole/circular boss
feature instances listed in the SOLIDWORKSCAM Feature tree on executing

36 Assigning Machining Strategies Based on ISO 286

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

the Run Tolerance Based Machining command will depend on the settings in
the Run tab of Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog box.

Options within the Run tab that affect the Machining Strategies assigned to Hole and
Circular Boss Features
 If the Recognize tolerance range option is checked but Recognize ISO limits
and fits option is not checked, then the instances of the Hole and
Circular Boss features will be machined as per the Tolerance based
conditions defined for these features in the Tolerance Range (mm) tab.
 If the Recognize ISO limits and fits option is checked but the Recognize
tolerance range option is not checked, then instances of the Hole and
Circular Boss features will be machined as per the ISO 286 Strategy
Conditions defined for these features in the ISO 286 tab. If the size of
the feature instance to be machined doesn’t match the limits and fits
defined for any one of the ISO Strategy Conditions in the ISO 286 tab,
then the default machining strategy (as defined in the Technology
Database) will be applied.
 If both the Recognize tolerance range and Recognize ISO limits and fits
options are checked, then instances of the Hole and Circular Boss
features will be machined as per the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions defined
for these features in the ISO 286 tab. However, if the size of the
feature instance to be machined doesn’t match the limits and fits
defined for any one of the ISO Strategy Conditions in the ISO 286 tab,
then the feature will be machined as per the Tolerance based conditions
defined in the Tolerance Range (mm) tab for that feature type. If a
matching Tolerance Based Condition is not found, then the default
machining strategy (as defined in the Technology Database) will be
applied to the feature instance.

Given on the next page is a flowchart that summarizes the concepts

explained in this chapter viz. how to assign ISO 286 Strategy Conditions in
the ISO 286 tab of the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box.

Assigning Machining Strategies Based on ISO 286 37

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Flowchart: Assigning ISO 286 Strategy Conditions

Is
Open the Mill part model MBD data or Click on the Tolerance Based
containing Hole and/or PMI data embedded Yes Machining - Settings
Circular Boss features to command on the SW CAM –
in the part model to
be machined. TBM Command Manager.
be machined?

No
Reassign the Strategy The Tolerance
Ensure that the MBD data
assigned to the ISO Based Machining -
and/or PMI data is
Strategy Conditions as Settings dialog box
embedded in this part
per your requirements. will be displayed.
model to be machined.

No Click on the ISO 286

Are tab.
Are there the machining
any ISO strategies assigned to
Strategy Conditions Yes the listed Designations as Have
that you wish to per your ISO 286
delete? requirements?
Yes Strategy Conditions
been defined for all the
desired feature types as
Yes per your
No requirements?

Delete any ISO 286

Strategy Conditions that Use the displayed Add ISO 286
No
you do not wish to Strategy Conditions dialog
retain. box to add new ISO Strategy
Conditions and click on the Click on the Add
Close button when done. Designation button.
Click on the OK button
to close the Tolerance
Based Machining - Execute the Run The Tolerance
Settings dialog box. Tolerance Based Based Machining -
Machining Command. Run dialog box will be
displayed.
Select the Automatic Feature
recognition option in the Run No
tab of the dialog box.
Have the
Click on the OK button to close Hole and/or In the Run tab of this
the Tolerance Based Machining - Circular Boss features dialog box, select the
Run dialog box and assign been recognized? Recognize ISO 286
machining strategies based on limits and fits option.
ISO Strategy Conditions.
Yes

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5. TUTORIAL 2: MACHINING A PART BASED ON

ISO 286 STRATEGY CONDITIONS
This tutorial illustrates how to machine a mill part (which has multiple
instances of the hole feature and contains embedded MBD/PMI data) using
the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM functionality to assign machining strategies
based on ISO 286 Strategy Conditions.
Before proceeding with this tutorial, ensure that you have understood the
concepts explained in Chapter 4 of this document.

Step 1: Open the tutorial part model

i. Launch SOLIDWORKS CAM application as an Add-In within the
SOLIDWORKS application.
ii. Click on the File menu of SOLIDWORKS application and select the Open
menu option.
iii. The File Open dialog box will be displayed. Browse to the following
folder location:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2018\CAM
Examples\TBM_SampleParts\Tutorials Parts
iv. Select the TBM_Tutorial_2.SLDPRT file and click on the Open button.
v. The selected tutorial solid model part will be displayed in the graphics
area of the SOLIDWORKS application.

TBM_Tutorial_2.SLDPRT

Tutorial 2: Machining a Part Based on ISO 286 Strategy Conditions 39

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Step 2: Execute the Extract Machinable Features

Command
i. Ensure that the Unit System selected for SOLIDWORKS is MMGS. (The
ISO 286 functionality in SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM plug-in is not available
in IPS Unit System.)

ii. Click on the Extract Machinable Features command on the

SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager.
iii. All 2.5 Axis Mill Features present on the tutorial part will be recognized
and listed in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree. Observe that an
irregular slot, an irregular pocket, a hole and three Hole group features
have been identified and listed in the Feature tree. The machining
strategies assigned to these features are indicated in square brackets
adjacent to the feature name. These strategies have been assigned on
the basis of the default strategies assigned to these features in the
Technology Database.

Delete these
features

Features listed in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree

iv. In this tutorial, only the hole features will be machined based on
machining strategies assigned as per ISO 286 Strategy Conditions.
Hence, delete the Irregular Slot and Irregular Pocket features from the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.

40 Tutorial 2: Machining a Part Based on ISO 286 Strategy Conditions

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature after deletion of Irregular Slot and Irregular Pocket features

v. The tutorial part has a multiple hole feature instances (1 hole feature
and three hole groups). MBD/PMI data has been assigned to the Hole1
feature as well as one instance of the hole feature in each of the hole
group features. Given in the table on the next page is a table with the
corresponding details.

Name of ISO 286 Diameter of the Number of instances of the

Feature Designation Hole Instance Hole Feature on the part
Hole1 G6 15 mm 1
Hole Group1 H6 45 mm 4
Hole Group2 H7 100 mm 2
Hole Group3 G8 6 mm 4
Details of the Hole feature Instances present in the Tutorial part

In this tutorial, using the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM plug-in, the machining
strategies assigned to all the hole feature instances will be reassigned based
on ISO 286 Strategy Conditions.

Step 3: Open the ISO 286 tab

In this step, we will use the parameters within the ISO 286 tab of the
Tolerance Based Machining - Settings dialog box to add/edit ISO 286 Strategy
Conditions for Hole feature.
i. On the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager, click on the Tolerance
Based Machining command button .
ii. The SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager will be activated. Click
on the Tolerance Based Machining - Settings command on this
Command Manager.
iii. The Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box will be displayed.
Click on the ISO 286 tab.

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 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

iv. The solid part model under consideration in this tutorial has multiple
instances of hole features (and no circular boss features or any other
2.5 Axis Mill Features). Hence, in the table of Features and Default
Strategies, click on the entry for Hole in order to select it.
v. The ISO 286 Strategy Conditions associated with the Hole feature will be
displayed in the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions grid.

Select this entry

ISO 286 Strategy

Conditions
corresponding to
selected entry

ISO 286 tab in Tolerance Based Machining – Settings Dialog box

Step 4: Assign ISO 286 Strategy Conditions

In this step, new ISO 286 Strategy Conditions will be added to the ISO 286
Strategy Conditions grid for the Hole Feature. Following are the steps:
i. In the ISO 286 tab of the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog
box, click on the on the entry for Hole in order to select it.
ii. The ISO 286 Strategy Conditions associated with the Hole feature will be
displayed in the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions grid.
iii. Based on the MBD/PMI data defined for the Hole feature instances on
the tutorial part, the ISO 286 Designations and machining strategies to
be assigned to these hole features are as follows:

Diameter of Strategy to be Assigned

Name of ISO 286
the Hole for Machining the Hole
Feature Designation
Instance feature instance
Hole1 G6 15 mm Drill
Hole Group1 H7 100 mm Bore
Hole Group2 H6 45 mm Bore
Hole Group3 G8 6 mm Drill
Machining Strategies to assigned to Hole feature instances on the tutorial part

42 Tutorial 2: Machining a Part Based on ISO 286 Strategy Conditions

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iv. The ISO 286 Strategy Conditions grid does not list any of these ISO 286
Designations. Hence, these entries need to be added. To do so,
following are the steps:

a. Click on the Add Designation command button at the bottom

left corner of the tab.
b. The Add ISO 286 Strategy Conditions dialog box will be displayed. In
the Designation dropdown list of this dialog box, select G8.
c. In the Size dropdown list, select 6 to 10 mm. (The size range that is
selected must be one within which the diameter of the Hole feature
instance will fall into, resulting in a match.)
d. In the SOLIDWORKS CAM Strategy dropdown list, select Drill.
e. Click on the Add button within the dialog box. The entry will be
added to the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions grid but the Add ISO 286
Strategy Conditions dialog box will remain open.
f. Select the following within this dialog box to add the next entry:
Designation  G6
Size 10 to 18 mm
SOLIDWORKS CAM Strategy  Drill
g. Click on the Add button.
h. Select the following within this dialog box:
Designation  H6
Size  30 to 50 mm
SOLIDWORKS CAM Strategy  Bore
i. Click on the Add button.

Add ISO 286 Strategy Conditions Dialog box

j. Select the following within this dialog box to add the next entry:
Designation  H7
Size  80 to 120 mm
SOLIDWORKS CAM Strategy  Bore
k. Click on the Add button.
l. All required ISO 286 Designations have now been added. Click on
the Close button to close this dialog box.

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 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

v. Observe the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions grid within the ISO 286 tab.
The new entries have been added. Observe that the No. of Tol Based
Conditions field for the Hole entry too has been updated to reflect the
increased number of ISO 286 Strategy Conditions defined for the Hole
feature.

New designations added to the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions grid of ISO 286 tab

vi. Click on the OK button of the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings

dialog box to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

Step 5: Execute the Run Tolerance Based Machining

Command
Selecting the Options in Tolerance Based Machining –Run dialog box
i. On the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager, click on the Run

Tolerance Based Machining command.

ii. The Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog box will be displayed. As
this dialog box retains the settings from the previous time the Run
command was executed, the checkbox options within the Run tab of
this dialog box will accordingly be either in a checked or unchecked
state.
iii. Ensure that the Recognize ISO 286 limits and fits checkbox option is
checked. Selecting this option is necessary to assign machining

44 Tutorial 2: Machining a Part Based on ISO 286 Strategy Conditions

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strategies to hole feature instances based on ISO 286 Strategy

Conditions.
iv. In this tutorial, no other 2.5 Axis Mill features other than hole features
are being machined. The hole features present will be machined base
d on ISO 286 Strategy Conditions. Hence, ensure that the Recognize
tolerance range checkbox option is unchecked as it is irrelevant to this
tutorial (due to absence of other 2.5 Axis Mill Features on the tutorial
part).
v. The tutorial part does not contain any multisurface features. Hence,
ensure that the Recognize multisurface features based on surface finish
checkbox option is unchecked.

Select the ‘Recognize ISO 286 limits and fits’ option in the Run tab

Interpreting the information in the ISO 286 tab of TBM-Run dialog box
The ISO 286 tab will be added to the Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog
box when the Recognize ISO 286 limits and fits option is checked. Click on this
ISO 286 tab.
The contents of this tab is almost identical to the contents of the ISO 286 tab
in the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box but with a key
difference. The ISO 286 tab in the Tolerance Based Machining- Run dialog box
provides additional information on the number of matches found between
the ISO Strategy Conditions listed in this tab and the feature instances on the
part being machined.
How to interpret the information in this tab is best understood via an
illustrated example. Using this tutorial as an example, the explanation of the
information displayed in this tab is given below.

Table of Features & Default Strategies

The Hole feature entry in this tab is displayed in black color font while the
Circular Boss feature entry is in magenta color font.

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 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

- The magenta color font for the Circular Boss feature entry indicates any
one of the following:
a. None of the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions defined for the Circular Boss
feature match with the Circular Boss feature instances on the tutorial
part.
b. The solid part does not have any Circular Boss feature instances. (This
is the case for this tutorial.)
Consequently, the Identified Conditions field will display the number ‘0’
indicating that no matches were found. All entries in the corresponding
ISO 286 Strategy Conditions grid too will be displayed in magenta color font
indicating that no matches were found.
- The black color font for the Hole feature entry indicates that one or more
of the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions defined for the Hole feature match with
the hole feature instances on the part. The Identified Conditions field
indicates the number of matches found.

ISO 286 tab in the Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog box

ISO 286 Strategy Conditions Grid

Observe the ISO 286 Strategy Conditions grid. The entries for G6, G8, H6 and
H7 Designations in this grid are displayed in black color font. Other entries in
this grid are in magenta color font.
- For ISO 286 Strategy Condition entries with magenta color font, the magenta
color indicates that no matches with any of the hole feature instances
present of the tutorial part were found. The number ‘0’ in parentheses
adjacent to the Designation name in the Designation field indicates the
same viz. zero matches.

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- For ISO 286 Strategy Condition entries with black color font, the black color
font indicates that for each of these ISO 286 Strategy Condition entries,
one or more matches with the hole feature instances on the tutorial part
have been found. The number of matches is indicated in parentheses in
the Designation field adjacent to the Designation name. The machining
strategies associated with these ISO Strategy Condition entries will be
assigned to the hole feature instances when you click the OK button in
the Run tab of this dialog box.

Executing the Run-TBM Command

i. Switch to the Run tab of this dialog box.
ii. In the Run tab, ensure only the Recognize ISO 286 limits and fits option
is checked.
iii. Click on the OK button to close the dialog box and execute the
command.
iv. Observe the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree. The machining strategies
for the Hole feature/hole groups have been reassigned as per the ISO
286 Strategy Conditions.

Machining Strategies reassigned for Hole Features in the SOLIDWORKS CAM

Feature tree

Operations can now be generated for these features by executing the

Generate Operation Plan command. Once operations are generated, generate
toolpaths using the Generate Toolpaths command.

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 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

6. RECOGNIZING MULTISURFACE FEATURES

BASED ON SURFACE FINISH
Recognizing Multisurface features using
SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM
If Surface Finish properties and Roughness values are assigned to the various
surfaces of a 3D part model using the Annotations functionality of
SOLIDWORKS, then SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM provides a functionality wherein
multisurface features can be recognized from such surfaces based on their
specific Surface Finish or Roughness values. Additionally, you can choose to
assign specific machining strategies to these multisurface features
recognized on the basis of their Surface Finish values. This SOLIDWORKS CAM
TBM functionality is provided in the form of Multisurface Features tab n the
Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box.
In order to do recognize multisurface features using SOLIDWORKS CAM
TBM, ensure that the following conditions are fulfilled:
i. Surface Finish properties and Roughness values are assigned to the
various surfaces of a 3D part model using the Annotations functionality
of SOLIDWORKS.
ii. The necessary Surface Finish Ranges and corresponding Machining
Strategies to be assigned are defined in the Multisurface Features tab
of the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box. Optionally, you
can assign the color with which the multisurface surface feature
should be highlighted on the solid model in the graphics area once it is
recognized.

iii. When you execute the Run Tolerance Based Machining command ,
the Recognize ISO 286 limits and fits option in the Run tab of Tolerance
Based Machining – Run dialog box is checked.

An illustrative tutorial explaining how to recognize multisurface features based

on their Surface Finish and Roughness values using the SOLIDWORKS CAM
TBM Plug-in is provided in the next chapter.

Multisurface Features tab of Tolerance Based

Machining – Settings dialog box
When you click on the Tolerance Based Machining – Settings command button
on the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager, the Tolerance Based
Machining – Settings dialog box is displayed. Use the Multisurface Features
tab of this dialog box to:

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i. Define the Surface Finish ranges based on which multisurface features

present on a solid part model will be recognized (i.e. surfaces for
which Surface Finish properties and Roughness values have been
assigned using the Annotations functionality of SOLIDWORKS)
ii. Indicate the machining strategies to be assigned to the multisurface
features which fall within a particular Surface Finish range
iii. Assign the color with which the multisurface surface feature should be
highlighted on the solid model in the graphics area once it is
recognized

Multisurface Features tab in Tolerance Based Machining – Settings Dialog Box

Parameters in the Multisurface Features tab

Surface Finish
This column indicates the Surface Finish range defined for the each Strategy
Condition. For each range, the lower and upper limit of the Surface Finish
range is displayed.
You can edit/add Surface Finish ranges by using the Range dialog box
displayed on clicking on the Edit Surface Finish button at the bottom left
corner of the tab.

Strategy
This field indicates the machining strategy to be applied to the multisurface
feature which falls within the Surface Finish range defined for the Strategy
condition.
When a new entry (i.e. a new Surface Finish range) is added in this tab, the
default machining strategy, as defined in the Technology Database, will be
assigned in the corresponding Strategy field.
You can reassign this strategy by simply clicking on the Strategy field of a
specific entry. Clicking on the Strategy field displays a dropdown list of all
machining strategies defined in the Technology Database for multisurface
features, including user-defined strategies. Select the desired strategy from

Recognizing Multisurface Features Based on Surface Finish 49

 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

this dropdown list to change the strategy assigned. The changes will be
saved when you click the OK button of the dialog box.

Color
This field indicates the color with which the multisurface feature present on
the 3D part model will be highlighted in the graphics area on execution of
the Run Tolerance Based Machining command when the Surface Finish value
assigned to its surface falls within one of the Surface Finish ranges defined in
the Multisurface Features tab.
In order for such multisurface features to be highlighted in the graphics
area, the Apply color to multisurface features option in the Run tab of the
Tolerance Based machining – Run dialog box must be checked.
By default, the color that will be used to highlight recognized multisurface
features in the graphics area will be blue. Use the Edit Color button at
the bottom left corner of this tab to reassign the color with which the
multisurface feature will be highlighted.

Edit Surface Finish

Clicking on this button opens the displays the Range dialog box. Use this
dialog box to add/edit the Surface Finish Ranges defined for strategy
conditions in this tab.

Edit Color button

Clicking on this button opens Color dialog box. Use this dialog box to
reassign the color associated with a Surface Finish range entry listed in the
Multisurface Features tab. This is the color which will be used to highlight the
multisurface feature in the graphics area when its associated Surface Finish
value falls within one of the Surface Finish ranges listed in the Multisurface
Features tab.
For details, refer: Steps to change the color associated with the Strategy
condition for a Multisurface Feature.

Thumbnail view of the selected color

When you select any entry listed in the Multisurface Features tab, the entire
entry would be highlighted, including the Color field. This makes it
impossible to view the assigned color in the Color field. In such a scenario,
the purpose of the Thumbnail view at the bottom left corner of this tab is to
display the color associated with selected entry.

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Range dialog box to add Surface Finish ranges in Multisurface

Features tab
The Range dialog box is displayed when you click on the Edit Surface Finish

button at the bottom left corner of the Multisurface Features tab. This
dialog box is used to add/edit the Surface Finish Ranges of the Strategy
condition entries in this tab.
How to use this dialog box is best understood with an illustrative example.

Example illustrating how to add Surface Finish Ranges using Range Dialog
box

Consider that you want to define the following four Surface Finish ranges in
the Multisurface Features tab of the Tolerance Based Machining - Settings dialog
box:

Lower Limit of Surface Upper Limit of Surface Finish

Finish Range Range
Range 1: 10 50
Range 2: 50 85
Range 3: 85 100
Range 4: 100 160

Following are the steps to define these surface finish ranges in the
Multisurface Features tab:

i. Open the Range dialog box by clicking on the Edit Surface Finish

button at the bottom left corner of the Multisurface Features tab.

ii. Input each unique Surface Finish value in the Enter Surface Finish
Value field. (The first value is 10.)
iii. After entering one Surface Finish value, click on the Add Surface Finish
Value button .
iv. The Surface Finish value you have input will be listed in the Surface
Finish list of this dialog box. Repeat Steps ii. and iii. for all remaining
unique Surface Finish values that comprise the range. (In this example,
there are five unique Surface Finish values viz. 10, 50, 85, 100 and
160.) The Surface Finish list will automatically sort and display the
Surface Finish values in ascending order of value.
v. In case you accidentally enter an incorrect Surface Finish value, you
can delete its entry from the Surface Finish list by selecting the entry
with a single mouse-click and pressing the Delete button.
vi. After all Surface Finish values have been input, click on the OK button
in the Range dialog box.

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 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Surface Finish
Range list

Enter Surface Finish

value field Add Surface Finish
value button

Range dialog box

vii. The Range dialog box will close and the Surface Finish ranges based
on values that were defined in the Range dialog box will be listed in
ascending order in the Multisurface Features tab of the Tolerance Based
Machining – Settings tab.

Adding/Editing/Deleting the entries in the Multisurface

Features tab
Editing the entries in the Multisurface tab
For existing entries listed in the Multisurface features tab, only the assigned
Strategy or Color can be edited.

Steps to change the color associated with the Strategy condition for a
Multisurface Feature
1. Using left mouse click, highlight the entry in the Multisurface Features tab
for which you wish to change the color.

2. At the bottom left corner of this tab, click on the Edit Color button .
3. The Color dialog box will be displayed. Select the color of your choice and
press the OK button.
4. The selected color will be visible in the thumbnail view to the right of the
Edit Color button. When you shift the focus from the selected strategy

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condition by clicking somewhere else within this tab, the Color field for
the selected strategy condition will be display the newly updated color.

Reassigning a Strategy
You can reassign this strategy by simply clicking on the Strategy field of that
specific entry. Clicking on the Strategy field displays a dropdown list of all
machining strategies defined in the Technology Database for multisurface
features, including user-defined strategies. Select the desired strategy from
this dropdown list to change the strategy assigned. The changes will be
saved when you click the OK button of the dialog box.

Deleting entries in the Multisurface Features tab

To delete an entry listed within the grid of the Multisurface Features tab,
highlight the entry and click on the Delete button on the keyboard.

Adding new entries in the Multisurface Features tab

Following are the steps to add a new entry in the Multisurface Features tab:
i. Add the Strategy Range for the new entry. [For detailed steps, refer:
Range dialog box to add Surface Finish ranges in Multisurface Features
tab.]
ii. The default machining strategy for a multisurface feature (as defined in
the Technology Database) will be listed in the Strategy field. Reassign the
machining strategy as required.

iii. Optionally, use the Edit Color button to reassign the color with which
the multisurface feature, if recognized, will be highlighted in the graphics
area. [For details, refer: Steps to change the color associated with the
Strategy condition for a Multisurface Feature.]
iv. Once the required changes are completed, click on the OK button to close
the dialog box.

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Flowchart: Recognizing Multisurface Features using TBM

Have
Open the Mill part model Surface Finish Click on the Tolerance Based
containing multisurface Properties & Roughness Yes Machining - Settings
features to be machined. values been defined command on the SW CAM –
for the 3D TBM Command Manager.
surfaces?

Click on the Edit No

Surface Finish button. The Tolerance
Ensure that the Surface Finish
Properties & Roughness Based Machining -
values are defined for the Settings dialog box
surfaces to be machined using will be displayed.
Use the displayed Range the SOLIDWORKS
dialog box to define/edit Annotations functionality.
the Strategy Range Click on the Multisurface
values and click on the Features tab.
OK button when done. No
Have
the Strategy
Ranges for the Are
entries been defined for all there any
the Multisurface features as No
Are entries you wish to
Yes per your delete from
the machining
requirements? this tab?
strategies assigned to
the Surface Ranges as
per your Yes
requirements?
Delete any entries that
Yes you do not wish to
No retain.
No

Reassign the Strategy Is the

assigned to the Strategy highlighting Click on the Edit Color
Ranges as per your color for any of the button and use the
requirements. entries to be displayed Color dialog
changed? Yes box to change the color.

Click on the OK button

Click on the OK button to to close the Tolerance
execute the Run command. Based Machining -
Settings dialog box.
In the Run tab, select the
Recognize multisurface features The Tolerance
based on surface finish option. Based Machining - Execute the Run
Optionally, select the Apply color Run dialog box will be Tolerance Based
to multisurface features option. displayed. Machining Command.

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7. TUTORIAL 3: RECOGNIZING MULTISURFACE

FEATURES BASED ON SURFACE FINISH
This tutorial illustrates how to recognize multisurface features on a mill part
(whose surfaces have been assigned Surface Finish properties and
Roughness values using the Annotations functionality of SOLIDWORKS) using
the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM plug-in.

Step 1: Open the tutorial part model

i. Launch SOLIDWORKS CAM application as an Add-In within the
SOLIDWORKS application.
ii. Click on the File menu of SOLIDWORKS application and select the Open
menu option.
iii. The File Open dialog box will be displayed. Browse to the following
folder location:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2018\CAM
Examples\TBM_SampleParts\Tutorials Parts
iv. Select the TBM_Tutorial_3.SLDPRT file and click on the Open button.

TBM_Tutorial_3.SLDPRT

Observe that this solid model has multiple surfaces and three hole
group features.

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 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

Step 2: Assign Settings in Multisurface Features

dialog box
i. On the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager, click on the Tolerance
Based Machining command button .
ii. The SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager will be activated. Click
on the Tolerance Based Machining - Settings command on this
Command Manager.
iii. The Tolerance Based Machining – Settings dialog box will be displayed.
Click on the Multisurface Features tab.
iv. In this tutorial, we will delete all the existing entries in the Multisurface
Features tab and replace it with new entries and associated machining
strategies. (The default installation of SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM has four
entries in this tab.)
v. To delete an entry in this tab, select the entry with the left click of the
mouse and click on the Delete button on the keyboard. Use this
method to delete all the entries.

Highlight an entry within the tab and press ‘Delete’ button to delete the entry

vi. Once all the entries are deleted, the next step is add entries for which
the surface ranges have to be defined and machining strategies have
to be assigned. The new surface ranges to be defined and the
corresponding machining strategies to be assigned are given in the
below table.
Lower Limit of Upper Limit of Machining Strategy to
Surface Finish Range Surface Finish Range be assigned
Range 1: 05 40 Fine
Range 2: 40 80 Area Clearance, Z Level
Range 3: 80 120 Area Clearance, Constant
Stepover
Range 4: 120 150 Area clearance, Pattern
Project
Range 5: 150 200 Coarse

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vii. Following are the steps to define the Surface Ranges.

a. Open the Range dialog box by clicking on the Edit Surface Finish

button at the bottom left corner of the Multisurface Features

tab.
b. Click within the Enter Surface Finish Value field to shift focus on
this field. (The cursor must blink within this field.)
c. The Surface Ranges to be entered have six unique values (viz. 05,
40, 80, 120, 150, 200). Input any one of these unique Surface
Finish values in the Enter Surface Finish Value field.
d. After entering one Surface Finish value, click on the Add Surface
Finish Value button .
e. The Surface Finish value you have input will be listed in the
Surface Finish list of this dialog box. Repeat Steps b, c and d for all
remaining unique Surface Finish values that comprise the range.
The Surface Finish list will automatically sort and display the
Surface Finish values in ascending order of value.
f. In case you accidentally enter an incorrect Surface Finish value,
you can delete its entry from the Surface Finish list by selecting
the entry with a single mouse-click and pressing the Delete
button.
g. After all Surface Finish values have been input, click on the OK
button in the Range dialog box.

Surface Finish
Range list

Enter Surface Finish

value field Add Surface Finish
value button

Range dialog box

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 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

viii. The user interface will revert to the Multisurface Features tab. Observe
that the newly input Surface Ranges are listed within this tab. The
machining strategy assigned to each of these new entries is the
default machining strategy for multisurface features in the Technology
database.

Default Machining Strategy from TechDB assigned to all new entries

ix. To reassign the strategy, click on the Strategy field of a specific entry
and select the desired strategy from the dropdown list.

Reassigning Machining Strategy for a Strategy Range

x. Assign machining strategies for each of the newly defined Surface

ranges as per the table given in Step vi.
xi. The next step is to assign the color in which multisurface features
must be highlighted on the solid model once they are recognized
based on their with Surface Finish values. By default, the color for all
the entries is Blue. To assign a different color, following are the steps:
a. Highlight the specific entry in the Multisurface Features tab and click
on the Edit Color button at the bottom left corner of the tab .
b. The Color dialog box will be displayed. Pick the desired color and
click on the OK button to close the dialog box.

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Color Dialog Box

c. Repeat this step for all the entries so that each entry has a
different color in order to enable easy identification of multisurface
features once they are recognized.
Whenever an entry is selected in the Multisurface Features tab, the
corresponding color will be displayed in a thumbnail view at the
bottom left corner of the tab.

Multisurface Features tab after assigning different colors for each of the entries

xii. Click on the OK button to close the dialog box.

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Step 3: Execute the Run Tolerance Based Machining

Command
i. On the SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM Command Manager, click on the Run

Tolerance Based Machining command.

ii. The Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog box will be displayed. As
this dialog box retains the settings from the previous time the Run
command was executed, the checkbox options within the Run tab of
this dialog box will accordingly be either in a checked or unchecked
state.
iii. Ensure that the Recognize multisurface features based on surface finish
checkbox option is checked. Selecting this option is necessary to
recognize multisurface features and assign machining strategies based
on their Surface Finish values.
iv. Placing a check in the Recognize multisurface features based on surface
finish checkbox option also enables the checkbox labelled Apply color to
multisurface features beneath it. In this tutorial, the multisurface
features that will be recognized on the basis of their surface finish
values will be highlighted on the solid part in the graphics area using
colors specified in the Multisurface Features tab of the Tolerance Based
Machining – Settings dialog box. To enable such colored highlighting,
place a check in this checkbox.

Options to be selected in Run tab of Tolerance Based Machining – Run dialog box

v. Observe that the Multisurface Features tab is added to this dialog box on
selecting the Recognize multisurface features based on surface finish
checkbox option. Click on this tab.
vi. The parameters within this tab are identical to the parameters in the
Multisurface Features tab of TBM – Settings dialog box. However, this tab
provides additional information with respect to the solid part to be
machined.

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Multisurface Features tab in TBM – Run dialog box

vii. Observe that three of the five entries within this tab are displayed in
black color font while two of them are displayed in magenta color font.
The black colored entries indicate that one or more matches with the
part being machined has been found i.e. one or more multisurface
features with surface finish values falling within that particular Surface
Finish range will be identified on clicking the OK button in the Run tab
of this dialog box.
viii. Switch to the Run tab. Click on the OK button to execute multisurface
feature recognition.
ix. Observe the solid model. The three surface for which Surface Finish
values had been defined have been recognized and highlighted with a
specific color on the model.

Multisurface features recognized on the basis of their Surface Finish values

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Note: The only reason other multisurface features have not been
recognized is because no Surface Finish values were defined for
those surfaces. SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM can recognize
multisurface feature sonly if their Surface Finish values are defined
using SOLIDWORKS Annotations functionality.
x. Observe the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree. The three recognized
Multisurface features are listed in the tree. Their corresponding
machining strategies (as defined in the TBM – Settings dialog box) are
displayed adjacent to the multisurface feature item.

Recognized Multisurface features listed in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree

62 Tutorial 3: Recognizing Multisurface Features Based on Surface Finish

SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

LEGAL NOTICES
Patent Notices
 SOLIDWORKS® 3D mechanical CAD and/or Simulation software is protected by U.S. Patents
6,219,049; 6,219,055; 6,611,725; 6,844,877; 6,898,560; 6,906,712; 7,079,990; 7,477,262;
7,558,705; 7,571,079; 7,590,497; 7,643,027; 7,672,822; 7,688,318; 7,694,238; 7,853,940;
8,305,376; 8,581,902; 8,817,028; 8,910,078; 9,129,083; 9,153,072; 9,262,863; 9,465,894; and
foreign patents, (e.g., EP 1,116,190 B1 and JP 3,517,643).
 eDrawings® software is protected by U.S. Patent 7,184,044; U.S. Patent 7,502,027; and Canadian
Patent 2,318,706.
 U.S. and foreign patents pending.

Product Names for SOLIDWORKS Products and Services

SOLIDWORKS 2017, SOLIDWORKS Standard, SOLIDWORKS Professional, SOLIDWORKS
Premium, SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional, SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard, SOLIDWORKS
Workgroup PDM, SOLIDWORKS Simulation Standard, SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional,
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation, eDrawings Viewer, eDrawings
Professional, SOLIDWORKS Sustainability, SOLIDWORKS Plastics, SOLIDWORKS Electrical
Schematic Standard, SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic Professional, SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D,
SOLIDWORKS Electrical Professional, CircuitWorks, SOLIDWORKS Composer, SOLIDWORKS
Inspection, SOLIDWORKS MBD, SOLIDWORKS PCB powered by Altium, SOLIDWORKS PCB
Connector powered by Altium, and SOLIDWORKS Visualization are product names of DS SolidWorks.

COMMERCIAL COMPUTER SOFTWARE - PROPRIETARY

The Software is a “commercial item” as that term is defined at 48 C.F.R. 2.101 (OCT 1995), consisting
of “commercial computer software” and “commercial software documentation” as such terms are used
in 48 C.F.R. 12.212 (SEPT 1995) and is provided to the U.S. Government (a) for acquisition by or on
behalf of civilian agencies, consistent with the policy set forth in 48 C.F.R. 12.212; or (b) for acquisition
by or on behalf of units of the Department of Defense, consistent with the policies set forth in 48 C.F.R.
227.7202-1 (JUN 1995) and 227.7202-4 (JUN 1995)

In the event that you receive a request from any agency of the U.S. Government to provide Software
with rights beyond those set forth above, you will notify DS SolidWorks of the scope of the request and
DS SolidWorks will have five (5) business days to, in its sole discretion, accept or reject such request.
Contractor/Manufacturer: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation, 175 Wyman Street, Waltham,
Massachusetts 02451 USA.

Copyright Notices for SOLIDWORKS Standard, Premium, Professional, and

Education Products
 Portions of this software © 1986-2016 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. All
rights reserved.
 This work contains the following software owned by Siemens Industry Software Limited:
D-Cubed® 2D DCM © 2016. Siemens Industry Software Limited. All Rights Reserved.
D-Cubed® 3D DCM © 2016. Siemens Industry Software Limited. All Rights Reserved.
D-Cubed® PGM © 2016. Siemens Industry Software Limited. All Rights Reserved.
D-Cubed® CDM © 2016. Siemens Industry Software Limited. All Rights Reserved.
D-Cubed® AEM © 2016. Siemens Industry Software Limited. All Rights Reserved.
 Portions of this software © 1998-2016 HCL Technologies Ltd.
 Portions of this software incorporate PhysX™ by NVIDIA 2006-2010.
 Portions of this software © 2001-2016 Luxology, LLC. All rights reserved, patents pending.
 Portions of this software © 2007-2016 DriveWorks Ltd.

LEGAL NOTICES 63
 SOLIDWORKS CAM TBM User Guide

 © 2011, Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Includes Adobe® PDF Library technology
Copyright 1984-2016 Adobe Systems Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Protected by U.S.
Patents 5,929,866; 5,943,063; 6,289,364; 6,563,502; 6,639,593; 6,754,382;
 Patents Pending.

Copyright Notices for SOLIDWORKS Simulation Products

 Portions of this software © 2008 Solversoft Corporation.
 PCGLSS © 1992-2016 Computational Applications and System Integration, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright Notices for SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Product

®
 Outside In Viewer Technology, © 1992-2012 Oracle
 © 2011, Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Copyright Notices for eDrawings Products

 Portions of this software © 2000-2014 Tech Soft 3D.
 Portions of this software © 1995-1998 Jean-Loup Gailly and Mark Adler.
 Portions of this software © 1998-2001 3Dconnexion.
 Portions of this software © 1998-2014 Open Design Alliance. All rights reserved.
 Portions of this software © 1995-2012 Spatial Corporation.
® ®
 Portions of eDrawings for iPad copyright © 1996-1999 Silicon Graphics Systems, Inc.
® ®
 Portions of eDrawings for iPad copyright © 2003 – 2005 Apple Computer Inc.
® ®
The eDrawings for Windows software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG
Group.

Copyright Notices for SOLIDWORKS PCB Products

Portions of this software © 2016 Altium Limited.

64 LEGAL NOTICES