CHAPTER

FIVE
INTEGRATING DESIGN AND
MANUFACTURING WITH SOLIDWORKS:
SOLIDWORKS CERTIFIED GOLD CAM PARTNERS
CHAPTER
FIVE SOLIDWORKS CERTIFIED OUR STORY SO FAR

GOLD CAM PARTNERS

In the first of our series of eBooks on Integrating Design and Manufacturing with
SOLIDWORKS®, we discussed the advantages offered by adopting an integrated
design and manufacturing solution. In the second eBook, we discussed the advantages
offered by SOLIDWORKS CAD. In the third and fourth eBooks, we discussed
how SOLIDWORKS solutions can enable you to determine the manufacturability
of your products while you’re still in the design phase, which can save you
significant time to market and cut unnecessary costs and work out of your product
development process.
CHAPTER
ONE INTEGRATING DESIGN AND
MANUFACTURING WITH SOLIDWORKS:
CONNECT YOUR ENTIRE TEAM AND STREAMLINE YOUR
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES

In this eBook, we’ll cover the many CAM

CHAPTER
software solutions offered in our SOLIDWORKS
Certified Gold CAM partner program.
TWO
INTEGRATING DESIGN AND
MANUFACTURING WITH SOLIDWORKS:
INTEGRATING WITH 3D CAD SOFTWARE

CHAPTER
THREE
INTEGRATING DESIGN AND
MANUFACTURING WITH SOLIDWORKS:
DESIGNING FOR MANUFACTURABILITY: PART I

CHAPTER
FOUR
INTEGRATING DESIGN AND
MANUFACTURING WITH SOLIDWORKS:
DESIGNING FOR MANUFACTURABILITY: PART II

For Chapters 1–4 and to learn more , click here

or visit www.solidworks.com/idm-ebook

Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS® CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 2
SOLIDWORKS CERTIFIED GOLD CAM PARTNERS
For 100% Seamless CAD/CAM integration with
several world-class CAM software providers.
CAM specifically designed to run with SOLIDWORKS.
Completely remove the wall between your CAD and CAM systems by taking
advantage of any of the several SOLIDWORKS Certified Gold CAM Partners
providing world-class CAM applications that are 100%, seamlessly integrated with
SOLIDWORKS—in other words, CAM solutions that run directly in SOLIDWORKS.
By providing CAM products that run inside SOLIDWORKS, these Certified Gold CAM
Partners allow users to design and machine in the same system—SOLIDWORKS. This
direct integration allows users to:
• Choose any of several SOLIDWORKS-integrated CAM applications–very
possibly your favorite CAM system is among one these Certified Gold
CAM systems
• Eliminate the need to export/import/repair model–save significant time and
instantly boost your productivity
• Maintain data accuracy at all times–no translation required means no errors in
translation automatically update toolpaths with design changes– associativity
built into SOLIDWORKS means there is no need to start CAM programming
from scratch every time there is a design change
• Always work on the most current design model–only one 3D CAD model
exists–rather than multiple copies that will be out of date when the
design changes
• Create different model/manufacturing configurations, create machining
fixturing in SOLIDWORKS, use SOLIDWORKS sketcher to create toolpaths and
toolpath approaches, and so on
By providing CAM products that run inside
• Make changes to the design model to improve manufacturability and then SOLIDWORKS, these Certified Gold CAM
rebuild the toolpath instantly
Partners allow users to design and machine
• Implement a concurrent design and manufacturing approach–begin creating
toolpaths earlier and give feedback to designers on how to improve the design in the same system–SOLIDWORKS.
for manufacturability
• Easily train and maintain since SOLIDWORKS and your CAM system runs on
the same hardware, with the same hardware and system requirements, with
a familiar user interface

Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS® CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 3
SOLIDWORKS Certified Gold CAM Partner
products include:
BobCAM for SOLIDWORKS: BobCAD-CAM, Inc.
CAMWorks: Geometric Americas, Inc.
CG CAM-TOOL for SOLIDWORKS: C&G SYSTEMS INC.
hyperMILL for SOLIDWORKS: OPEN MIND Technologies AG
Mastercam for SOLIDWORKS: CNC Software, Inc.
OPTICAM for SOLIDWORKS: Camtek GmbH
SolidCAM for SOLIDWORKS: SolidCAM, Inc.
SolidNEST: SigmaTEK Systems, LLC
VisualMILL for SOLIDWORKS: MecSoft Corporation

Chapter 5: Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS® SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 4
BOBCAM FOR SOLIDWORKS:
BobCAD-CAM, Inc.
BobCAM for SolidWorks provides special machining wizards that guide
you through the creation of toolpaths, a feature that streamlines the
manufacturing process for both simple and complex part programming.

Significantly increasing productivity through CAD/CAM

integration
Texas Chassis Works, a SOLIDWORKS and BobCAM for SOLIDWORKS
customer based in Tyler, Texas, produces high-end drag-racing cars
and associated parts. Prior to implementing an integrated CAD/CAM
solution, Texas Chassis Works had to convert designs to IGES files, and
then import them. This approach resulted in multiple operations that
were time-consuming.

With an integrated CAD/CAM system consisting

of SOLIDWORKS and BobCAM for SOLIDWORKS,
Texas Chassis Works has realized a 50%
improvement in manufacturing productivity vs.
running with non-integrated CAD and CAM

Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 5
CAMWORKS:
Geometric Americas, Inc.

With an integrated CAD/CAM system consisting of SOLIDWORKS and

CAMWorks®, CP Carrillo reduces overall lead time from the order to
machined parts by 85% including a 95% reduction in design time, 75%
drop in CNC programming time, and 20% less scrap.
CAMWorks, which was the first fully integrated CAM solution for
SOLIDWORKS, uses SOLIDWORKS CAD model geometry to generate
manufacturing toolpaths. This, along with toolpath simulation, ensures your
tool’s machining plan matches your design model—reducing rework and
increasing machining productivity.
CP-Carillo in Anaheim, CA, a CAMWorks customer, is a leading piston and
rod producer for the motor-sports racing industries. Through the use of
SOLIDWORKS and CAMWorks, they have fully automated their product design
and parts programming.
From the custom order to a finished machined part in minutes

When an order is received, CP-Carillo sales personnel enter the specifications into
an interface created using the software API’s provided with SOLIDWORKS and
CAMWorks. Once the order data is entered, the software then automatically generates
the design model and toolpaths for the part, which are then checked and machined.
This integrated and automated CAD/CAM approach has reduced their overall
lead time by 85%, including a 95% reduction in design time, a 75% drop in CNC
programming time, and a 20% decrease in scrap and rework.

“ CAMWorks and SOLIDWORKS were the only tools

we found that could meet all our demands. Their
flexible approach on APIs helped us develop a
process that linked our order taking system with
our design and manufacturing processes. “

– Karl Ramm, Senior Technology Manager, CP -Carrillo

Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS® 6

CG CAM-TOOL FOR
SOLIDWORKS:
C&G Systems, Inc.
CG CAM-TOOL for SOLIDWORKS is a high-precision CAM system for mold and die
manufacturing that runs directly inside SOLIDWORKS. Its toolpath development
engine is taken from CAM-TOOL, the most commonly used high-end CAD/CAM
system in Japan.

CG CAM-TOOL features include:

• User-friendly interface • Mounting tool and holder

database
• Reliable cutting strategies
• Flexible post-processor setting
• High-precision and high-
efficient machining

Making molds faster and with less polishing

When Jeff Ewert and Scott Bradley of FSI, in Bemidji, Minnesota, set out to find
a CAM software that they could quickly and easily learn to use, and could still
meet the needs of mold machining, they ended up purchasing CG CAM-TOOL for
SOLIDWORKS. They found CG CAM-Tool for SOLIDWORKS to be software that they
could trust to be accurate, safe enough to run machines unmanned, and still give
them a high-quality surface finish to minimize or eliminate hand polishing. When asked about their favorite functions in CG
Prior to FSI’s investment in new CNC machines CAM-TOOL, Jeff Ewert of FSI cited “hole recognition”
and CG CAM-TOOL for SOLIDWORKS, Jeff
Ewert noted, “The length of time to build one
as number one. When questioned about the benefits
prototype tool was around one week. Now of CG CAM-TOOL for them “the speed of back
we can see it cut that to about three days.”
Before this upgrade “We built about two prototype molds per week; we now see drilling and the surface finish of molds” were the
that being closer to three to four per week.” Additionally, when asked why they
became interested in CG CAM-TOOL for SOLIDWORKS, Ewert said : “We became
two items at the forefront of the discussion. Ewert
interested once we notice the difference in machine finish versus the CAM-TOOL also stated that all of the items listed above have
competitors. In order to make better use of our time, we couldn’t afford to sit at a
bench and polish.” made a great improvement to their company.

Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS® CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 7
HYPERMILL FOR
SOLIDWORKS:
OPEN MIND
Technologies AG
With an integrated CAD/CAM system consisting of SOLIDWORKS and hyperMILL®
for SOLIDWORKS, 5th Axis, Inc. has experienced boosts in productivity supporting
shop expansion, growth in employees and higher profits.
hyperMILL for SOLIDWORKS CAM lets users turn CAD designs into NC (numerical
control) code for machining without having to leave their familiar program
environment. The sophisticated features that support manufacturing and machining
strategies speed this process greatly, thereby cutting production costs and shortening
time to market.

Growth through CAD/CAM integration

5th Axis, Inc. is an engineering, prototyping, and automated production company
that services the aerospace, semiconductor, electronics, and medical device
industries. The company’s specialty is producing hard parts of high complexity.
Using the integrated CAD/CAM solution of SOLIDWORKS and hyperMILL for
SOLIDWORKS, the company realizes a host of productivity benefits that has allowed
it to increase its shop space, number of employees, and profitability.

One example of how 5th Axis, Inc. leverages this

CAD/CAM integration is the use of SOLIDWORKS
sketches to drive tool paths. By making a simple
sketch in SOLIDWORKS and programming a tool
path to it, it’s easier to remove burrs from
previously machined parts.

Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS® CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 8
MASTERCAM FOR
SOLIDWORKS:
CNC Software, Inc.
With an integrated CAD/CAM system consisting of SOLIDWORKS and
Mastercam® for SolidWorks, Summit Tooling, Inc. has realized 50% boost in
productivity over non-integrated CAD/CAM methods
Mastercam for SOLIDWORKS provides users with powerful Mastercam toolpaths
available directly within the SOLIDWORKS CAD interface. Advantages include:
feature-based machining for automatic programming of pockets, contours and
drilled holes, and dynamic milling for creating active toolpaths and delivering
smooth tool motion.

Paperless mold design and manufacturing

Because its manufacturing personnel can access the actual SOLIDWORKS
3D CADmodel directly, interrogate dimensions, and begin machining almost
immediately, Summit Tooling, Inc. has eliminated paper drawings from its mold
design and manufacturing processes. That’s one of the many traditional steps that
the company has eliminated using the integrated SOLIDWORKS CAD and Mastercam
for SOLIDWORKS CAM solution. With an integrated solution, Summit Tooling has
realized a 50% boost in productivity over traditional machining methods. The
new approach accelerates the handling of design changes, shortens lead times Mastercam’s customer, Summit Tooling, benefits
for customer delivery, and gives mold designers/moldmakers a greater degree of
control over the final product. from Mastercam by being able to move much
faster than ever before. When they’ve had late-
stage design changes even while a mold is being
built, they’ve been able to respond on the fly.
Their time savings are tremendous as a result.

“ A 50% bump in productivity is real. Since 2008,

our profitability has sky-rocketed beyond belief. “
– Dan Martin, President of Summit Tooling

Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS® CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 9
OPTICAM FOR
SOLIDWORKS:
Camtek GmbH
With an integrated CAD/CAM system consisting of
SOLIDWORKS and OPTICAM for SOLIDWORKS, wire EDM
programming times are dramatically reduced and toolpaths
update with design changes
OPTICAM is a fully integrated solution for the programming
of wire EDM machines inside SOLIDWORKS. OPTICAM
directly references the designed or imported 3D model for the
creation of wire cut paths. OPTICAM makes use of Automatic
Feature Recognition and automated machining technology and
strategies, resulting in a very high level of automation and a significant
reduction in programming time.

After only a short training period, a beginner OPTICAM analyses the 3D models, recognizes geometry that can be cut with a wire,
and creates the machining simultaneously. The toolpaths are shown graphically and
can create an NC program with a few clicks, update with changes of the model immediately or can be manipulated afterwards.
Too short faces are extended and face gaps are bridged. Faces and edges can also
while an experienced user still has the be chosen manually to wire only specific areas or to create a user-defined feature.
complete flexibility to intervene Furthermore, integrated technologies and machining strategies can be assigned to
create features automatically.
in every detail. OPTICAM contains all machining strategies that are required for the efficient and
safe operation of Wire EDM machines. All cuts are shown in the cuts dialog and can
be changed afterwards. For the secure checking of the toolpaths, a 3D simulation
with material removal was inserted. Besides the offsetting, the clamps and machine
heads are also simulated.
OPTICAM has been developed in co-operation with leading CNC-machine tool
companies and is being continuously improved with new machine functionality.
High-quality postprocessors and technology databases are available for all CNC-
controls and CNC-machines.

CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 10

SOLIDCAM FOR
SOLIDWORKS:
SolidCAM, Inc.
With an integrated CAD/CAM system consisting of SOLIDWORKS and SolidCAM®,
Manufacturing Services Inc. is saving between 15-60% in production time.
SolidCAM is designed to make creating fast toolpaths easy and efficient.
Supporting lathes, 2.5D milling machines to 5-axis, and complex millturns,
full CNC programming functions are all done directly inside SOLIDWORKS.
With the same look and feel throughout, engineers never have to leave the
SOLIDWORKS environment to experience seamless, single-window integration
and full associativity with the design model.
Manufacturing Services Inc. in Lancaster, South Carolina, performs production
part runs, injection molds, and more. They realized dramatic time savings–from
15 to 60% depending on part complexity–once they switched to integrated
CAD/CAM over their prior non-integrated approach. They can easily import
SOLIDWORKS design files with no need for file translations.

Making changes a snap

Since implementing the integrated SOLIDWORKS CAD and SolidCAM CAM solution,
Manufacturing Services Inc., has realized substantial productivity improvements,
particularly when the company needs to make design changes to a part. Design
changes, like changing a fillet to accommodate existing tooling or adding draft to a
part, are much easier and faster to handle.

Manufacturing Services Inc. uses SOLIDWORKS

CAD software to tweak the model and then
update the toolpaths automatically because of
the associative link between the CAD and CAM-
generated toolpaths.

Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS® CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 11
SOLIDNEST:
SigmaTEK Systems, LLC

With an integrated CAD/CAM system consisting of SOLIDWORKS and SolidNEST®,

companies can significantly reduce material scrap and NC programming
time simultaneously
SolidNEST is an automatic nesting and NC program that runs inside SOLIDWORKS.
Based on SigmaNEST’s powerful nesting technology, SolidNEST enables you to nest
and generate NC code for laser, oxyfuel, plasma, waterjet, turret punch, and routing
machines without leaving SOLIDWORKS.
SolidNEST provides:
• Automatic nesting inside SOLIDWORKS–embedded inside SOLIDWORKS
• Automatic NC toolpath generation
• Support for assemblies, solids, and sheet metal part

VIDEO: SolidNEST

The benefits of SolidNEST include:

• Achieve best material utilization and avoid waste
• Reduce machine-cutting cycle time through toolpath
motion optimization
• Generate timely and accurate reports and quotes
• Streamline production management and inventory control
• See the impact of design decisions on manufacturing

Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS® CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 12
VISUALMILL FOR
SOLIDWORKS:
MecSoft Corporation
With an integrated CAD/CAM system consisting of SOLIDWORKS and
VisualMILL for SOLIDWORKS, McKim Design & Fabrication now runs CAD and
CAM all in one system, saving 25-40% in processing time VisualMILL for
SOLIDWORKS helps engineers make parts fast, from simple 2-1/2 axis to full
5-axis indexed milling. The intuitive, combined CAD/CAM interface offers
multiple fatures to fit machining needs and save countless hours of time.

Developing a replacement part for a vintage car

McKim Design & Fabrication of Freindswood, Texas, leverages the
integrated SOLIDWORKS CAD and VisualMILL for SOLIDWORKS CAM
solution to achieve 25 to 40 percent time savings and take on unique
projects. For example, the owner of a 1949 Ford convertible could
not find replacements for the fold-down top’s two broken hinges.
He turned to McKim Design & Fabrication to make one. Using
SOLIDWORKS CAD capabilities, the Houston-based company
created a solid model and rapid prototype of the broken hinge, and
then designed the flat-plate fixture needed to water cut the part.
Because McKim uses an integrated CAD/CAM solution, modeling
the part, producing a rapid prototype, developing the fixture, and
machining the part was quick and painless.

CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 13

OVER 300 OTHER SOLIDWORKS
PARTNER PRODUCTS
SOLIDWORKS Partners offer a variety of
applications that easily combine specialized
capabilities with the SOLIDWORKS platform to
provide complete solutions.
SOLIDWORKS Partners offer a variety of applications that easily combine specialized
capabilities with the SOLIDWORKS platform to provide complete solutions.
conceptual design, detailed development, and manufacturing. A concurrent system
that enables manufacturing and design to work simultaneously can help speed up
the entire process.

See more SOLIDWORKS Partners here.

Integrating Design and Manufacturing with SOLIDWORKS® CHAPTER 5: SOLIDWORKS® Certified Gold CAM Partners 14
 NOW
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