Mill Tutorial

Cover Page
Mill Tutorial
SOLIDWORKS CAM
2019
Copyright
© 1995-2017, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systèmes SE company, 175 Wyman
Street, Waltham, Mass. 02451 USA. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimers
The information and the software application discussed in this document are subject to change without prior
notice and are not commitments by Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation (DS SolidWorks).
No material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or manually, for any
purpose without the express written permission of DS SolidWorks.
The software discussed in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in
accordance with the terms of the license. All warranties given by DS SolidWorks as to the software and
documentation are set forth in the license agreement, and nothing stated in, or implied by, this document or its
contents shall be considered or deemed a modification or amendment of any terms, including warranties, in the
license agreement.
Trademarks
 SOLIDWORKS, 3D ContentCentral, 3D PartStream.NET, eDrawings, and the eDrawings logo are registered
trademarks and FeatureManager is a jointly owned registered trademark of DS SolidWorks.
 CircuitWorks, FloXpress, PhotoView 360, and TolAnalyst are trademarks of DS SolidWorks.
 FeatureWorks is a registered trademark of Geometric Americas, Inc.
 Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, the Adobe PDF logo, Distiller and Reader are registered trademarks or
trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.
 Other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Product Name: SOLIDWORKS CAM 2019

Mill Tutorial
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: LEARNING 2 AXIS MILL BASICS ............................................................... 7

2 Axis Mill 1..............................................................................................................................8
Steps to Generate Mill Toolpaths and NC Code in Part Mode ......................................8
Step 1: Model Part in SOLIDWORKS or Import Part ..................................................9
Viewing the FeatureManager Design Trees ................................................................. 9
Step 2: Change to SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature Tree ..............................................10
SOLIDWORKS CAM Machining Trees .................................................................... 10
SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager ............................................................... 11
SOLIDWORKS CAM Context-based Help .............................................................. 12
Step 3: Define the Machine .........................................................................................12
Define the Machine ..................................................................................................... 12
Step 4: Define the Stock ..............................................................................................15
Step 5: Define Machinable Features ...........................................................................15
Defining Features Interactively................................................................................... 18
Step 6: Generate Operation Plan and Toolpath ...........................................................19
Generate Operation Plan Command ........................................................................... 19
Exclamation mark symbol over certain operations ..................................................... 21
Generate Toolpath Command ..................................................................................... 22
Step 7: Adjusting Toolpath Parameters ........................................................................23
Simulate Toolpath ....................................................................................................... 24
Step Through Toolpath ............................................................................................... 26
Step 8: Post Process Toolpaths ....................................................................................28
2 Axis Mill 2............................................................................................................................31
Extracting and Working with Machinable Features .....................................................31
Tool Crib Tab ...............................................................................................................32
Tool Crib Priority........................................................................................................ 32
Tool Crib has Sub Stations ......................................................................................... 32
Editing the Tool Crib .................................................................................................. 32
Modifying the Tools in the Technology Database ...................................................... 34
Post Processor Tab and Posting Tab ............................................................................36
Defining the Stock ........................................................................................................36
Extract Machinable Features ........................................................................................37
Setting Features Types to be recognized by AFR ....................................................... 38
Rebuild the Features ................................................................................................... 39
Setting Feature Strategy .............................................................................................. 40
Mill Part Setup ............................................................................................................ 41
Generate Operation Plan...............................................................................................41
Locating Operations for Selected Feature................................................................... 44
2 Axis Mill 3............................................................................................................................46
Table of Contents 3
Mill Tutorial
Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the Machine ....................................................46

Step 2: Defining the Stock from a Bounding Box........................................................47
Executing Extract Machinable Features Command .................................................... 47
Step 3: Interactive Feature Recognition .......................................................................47
Need for Interactive Feature Recognition ................................................................... 47
Deleting a Feature ....................................................................................................... 48
Inserting Additional Mill Part Setups ......................................................................... 48
Reorganizing Machinable Features............................................................................. 50
Suppressing Machinable Features............................................................................... 50
Inserting 2.5 Axis Features ......................................................................................... 51
Combining Machinable Features ................................................................................ 55
Step 5: Generate Operation Plan and Toolpaths ..........................................................56
Generate an Operation Plan for each Mill Part Setup ................................................. 56
Generate Toolpaths and Post Process the Part ............................................................ 57
SOLIDWORKS CAM Message Window .................................................................. 57
Simulating the Toolpath .............................................................................................. 57
Step 6: Post Processing the Toolpaths ..........................................................................58
2 Axis Mill 4............................................................................................................................59
Sequence of machining: .............................................................................................. 59
Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the Machine ....................................................60
Step 2: Defining the Stock from a Sketch ....................................................................60
Step 3: Extracting Machinable Features .......................................................................61
Settings for Recognizing Face Feature Automatically ............................................... 61
Automatic Feature Recognition .................................................................................. 61
Step 4: Interactively Inserting Features ....................................................................62
Steps to Interactively insert an Open Pocket Feature ................................................. 62
Step 5: Generating Operations .....................................................................................64
Changing Feature Strategy before Generating Operations ......................................... 64
Executing Generate Operation Plan Command .......................................................... 65
Adjusting Operation Parameters ................................................................................. 66
Expanding and Collapsing Items in the Tree .............................................................. 66
Deleting an Operation ................................................................................................. 69
Inserting an Operation................................................................................................. 69
Step 6: Defining Program Zero ....................................................................................74
Step 7: Generate and Simulate Toolpaths ....................................................................75
Step 8: Sorting Operations ...........................................................................................76
Step 9: Simulate Toolpath and Post Process ................................................................78
CHAPTER 2: LEARNING MORE 2 AXIS MILL ................................................................ 80
2 Axis Mill 5............................................................................................................................81
Opening the Part and Extracting Machinable Features by AFR ..................................81
Setting Strategies and Generating Operations ..............................................................82
Sorting and Sequencing Operations .............................................................................83
Machining Island Tops .................................................................................................85
Changing the Mill Part Setup Origin ............................................................................85
4 Table of Contents
Mill Tutorial
Combining Operations..................................................................................................87
Changing Tool Parameters and Generating Toolpath ..................................................88
Simulate Toolpath and Post Process ............................................................................89
2 Axis Mill 6............................................................................................................................90
Opening the Part ...........................................................................................................90
Defining Stock ..............................................................................................................91
Defining Fixture Coordinate System of the Mill machine ...........................................91
Automatic Feature Recognition Settings ......................................................................92
Extracting Machinable Features ...................................................................................93
Renaming Mill Part Setups ...........................................................................................93
Rearranging features using Drag and Drop Functionality ...........................................93
Generating Operations ..................................................................................................94
Defining Avoid Areas for Clamps ................................................................................94
Copying Avoid Areas from one Operation to another .................................................95
Modifying Operation Parameters before Generating Toolpaths ..................................96
Generating Toolpaths .................................................................................................101
Simulating Toolpaths..................................................................................................101
Customizing Toolpaths ...............................................................................................101
2 Axis Mill 7..........................................................................................................................104
Opening the Part and Recognizing Features Automatically ......................................104
Defining Features Interactively ..................................................................................105
Inserting Engrave Features .........................................................................................107
Generating an Operation Plan and Adjusting Operation Parameters .........................107
Associating Machining Information after Design Changes .......................................110
Simulation Toolpath ...................................................................................................113
Changing the color of Simulation Toolpath operations .............................................114
2 Axis Mill 8..........................................................................................................................115
Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the Machine and Stock .................................115
Step 2: Extracting Machinable Features and Generating Operations ........................115
Step 3: Specifying a Tool Overlap on Open Air Segments ........................................116
Step 4: Using an Avoid Area ......................................................................................117
Step 5: Defining Rapid and Clearance Planes ............................................................118
2 Axis Mill 9..........................................................................................................................121
Open the Part and Defining the Machine and Stock ..................................................121
Creating a Pattern Feature ..........................................................................................123
Inserting a Pattern Feature (Linear Pattern) .............................................................. 123
Inserting a Pattern Feature using a sketch (Sketch-driven Pattern) .......................... 125
2 Axis Mill 10........................................................................................................................126
Define the 2.5 Axis feature for the circular pattern .................................................. 127
Creating a Pattern Feature ..........................................................................................128
Table of Contents 5
Mill Tutorial
Inserting a Circular Pattern Feature .......................................................................... 128

Inserting a Sketch-Driven Pattern Feature ................................................................ 128
For More Practice ................................................................................................................131
Part1 for Practice ...................................................................................................................131
Part2 for Practice ...................................................................................................................131
CHAPTER 3: LEARNING 3 AXIS MILL ......................................................................... 133
3 Axis Mill 1..........................................................................................................................134
Define the Machine ................................................................................................... 134
Define the Stock ........................................................................................................ 134
Inserting a Mill Part Setup and Creating a Multi Surface Feature .............................135
Generating Area Clearance Toolpaths .......................................................................135
Generate Operations and Toolpaths .......................................................................... 135
Inserting Contain Areas to Selectively Machine Areas .............................................136
Generating Z Level Toolpaths ....................................................................................138
Inserting an Avoid Area to Selectively Machine Areas .............................................140
Using User-defined Limits to Machine Specific Areas .............................................140
Generating Flat Area Toolpaths .................................................................................142
3 Axis Mill 2..........................................................................................................................143
Open the Part ..............................................................................................................143
Using Automatic Contain Areas .................................................................................143
Stock Method ............................................................................................................ 143
Bounding Box Method .............................................................................................. 144
Outer Silhouette Method ........................................................................................... 145
All Silhouettes Method ............................................................................................. 145
LEGAL NOTICES ............................................................................................................ 147
6 Table of Contents
Mill Tutorial
Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics
This chapter provides an opportunity to learn 2 Axis Mill through a step by step hands-on
tour of the features and functions.
The exercises in this chapter are intended to show you how to use SOLIDWORKS CAM
and may not correspond to actual machining practices.
The exercise parts are installed when you install SOLIDWORKS CAM and are in the
\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\CAM Examples\Tutorial_Parts\Mill folder.
(Typical Location: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS
201x\CAM Examples\Tutorial_Parts\Mill).
IMPORTANT! SOLIDWORKS Cam uses a set of knowledge-based rules to assign

machining operations to features. The Technology Database contains the data for
the machining process plans and can be customized for your facility's machining
methodology. When you do these exercises, your results may not be the same as
described in the steps and illustrated in the figures. This is because the machining
sequences and operations data in your Technology Database may be different from
the database used to produce the documentation.
The following series of exercises show you how to generate finish toolpaths on a
SOLIDWORKS part model.
In order to give you a general understanding of how to use SOLIDWORKS CAM, you
will work with a part that was previously modeled in SOLIDWORKS. When you define
the operations and toolpaths, you will follow steps and instructions. These steps and
instructions are brief in nature in order to show you the basics of generating toolpaths
from start to finish without getting into the details at this time. In case you wish to have
deeper understanding of the functionalities within SOLIDWORKS CAM, we recommend
that you refer to SOLIDWORKS CAM Context-based Help. This context-sensitive
Help is displayed when you click on the Help button of the various dialog boxes or User
Interfaces within the application.
Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 7

Mill Tutorial
2 Axis Mill 1
Topics covered in this tutorial:
Steps to Generate Mill Toolpaths and NC Code in Part Mode
The following steps are used to generate Mill toolpaths and NC code:
1. Model the part or open the part file in SOLIDWORKS.
2. Click on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
3. Define the Machine and modify the controller parameters.
4. Define the stock.
5. Define machinable features.
6. Generate the operation plan and adjust operation parameters.
7. Generate toolpaths.
8. Simulate material removal.
9. Post process the toolpaths.
START
Simulate toolpaths
Generate toolpaths
Model part in
SOLIDWORKS/import part
Adjust operation No
parameters as needed Are
Change to SOLIDWORKS toolpaths
CAM Feature tree correct?
Generate operation Yes

Define machine/change plan
controller parameters
Post process
Define machinable
Define Stock features (AFR & IFR)
Transmit file into CNC
END
8 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics

Mill Tutorial
Step 1: Model Part in SOLIDWORKS or Import Part

A part is a solid that is created with SOLIDWORKS or imported into SOLIDWORKS
from another CAD system via an IGES, Parasolid, SAT file, etc. This exercise uses an
existing SOLIDWORKS part.
Open the part file MILL2AX_1.SLDPRT in the following folder.
C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\CAM
Examples\Tutorial_Parts\Mill.
Viewing the FeatureManager Design Trees

The FeatureManager design tree displays the list of the features, sketches, planes and
axes related to the part.
To use SOLIDWORKS CAM, you need to move between SOLIDWORKS trees and the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature trees. Different tabs are provided to access the
SOLIDWORKS trees and the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature trees. Click the Pin
button to continuously view this Tree area.
If the SOLIDWORKS CAM tabs [ , , ] are not visible, you can expand the size
of the tree. Position the cursor on the line that divides the tree area from the graphics
area. When the cursor changes to a bar, drag the bar to the right until the tabs display.

Mill Tutorial
Tabs for SOLIDWORKS SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature Line that divides the tree from the
Trees Tree tab graphics area
Graphics area
Items under the Feature

Manager Design tree
Step 2: Change to SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature Tree

Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature Tree tab to view the items under this tree.
Initially, the tree lists the SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager, Stock Manager, Machine
and Recycle Bin items.
SOLIDWORKS CAM Machining Trees

The SOLIDWORKS CAM machining trees provide an outline view of the machining
information for the model. Initially, the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree shows only
the SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager, Configurations, Stock Manager, Machine and
Recycle Bin items. As you follow the steps to generate an NC program, this tree expands
to include Mill Part Setups and machinable features.

Mill Tutorial
 Configurations
Multiple SOLIDWORKS CAM datasets are supported. Each dataset is called a
configuration. You can use configurations to support multiple machines and
SOLIDWORKS configurations.
 Stock Manager
The stock is the material from which the part will be machined. If the Machine type
chosen is Mill, you can define the stock as a rectangular shape (bounding box) or an
extruded sketch or an STL file. You can also specify the type of material.
 Machine
The Machine item defines the machine tool that the part will be machined on. The
machine definition includes the type of machine (e.g.: Mill, Turn,), Tool definitions
and the Post processor. The machines are set up in the Technology Database.
 Recycle Bin
The Recycle Bin in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree is used to store
machinable features that you do not intend to machine.
SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager

Click Tools on the SOLIDWORKS menu bar and select SOLIDWORKS CAM from the
dropdown menu. Click SOLIDWORKS CAM on the menu bar. This action displays the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager. It provides access to the main
SOLIDWORKS CAM commands. The commands are explained in the SOLIDWORKS
CAM context-based Help.
Customization of SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager
Command Manager is a context-sensitive toolbar that can be dynamically updates based

on the toolbar you want to access. It provides access to the main SOLIDWORKS CAM
commands found on the SOLIDWORKS CAM menu. By default, it has toolbars
embedded in it.
The SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager can be customized. Right click anywhere
on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager and select Customize menu from the
RMB context menu. The Customize dialog box will be displayed. Use the Toolbars,
Commands, Menus, Keyboard shortcut, Mouse gesture and Options tab of this dialog box
to customize the Command Manager as per your requirements.

Mill Tutorial
Alternative Access to SOLIDWORKS CAM Commands

All the commands executed from the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager can also
be alternatively accessed from the RMB context menu of the SOLIDWORKS CAM NC
Manager. This is a context menu. To execute the command, right click on the
SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager item in the tree and select the desired command from
the RMB context menu. In addition to the Command Manager commands, this right click
context menu also provides access to a variety of commands.
SOLIDWORKS CAM Context-based Help

In addition to tutorial documents, SOLIDWORKS CAM is provided with a context-based
Help. Every dialog box and interface within SOLIDWORKS CAM has an associated
Help button. Click on the Help button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager to open the context-based Help. Every parameter and tab of each dialog box in
explained in the context-based Help.
Step 3: Define the Machine

The machine includes information that identifies what to machine, how to machine it, and
the format of the NC output. Important parameters of the machine definition include:
 Machine type – Mill or Turn: The machine type defines the machinable feature set
that can be recognized automatically and defined interactively.
The icons that display in the tree identify the current machine:
Mill Machine Turn Machine
An alternative machine can be selected at any time to output different G-code
programs for alternative machine tools. If the machine type changes, then all features
and operations will be deleted.
 Tool crib: A subset of tools from the tool library that are commonly loaded into or
used with the current machine.
 Post Processor: The post processor identifies the format of the NC G-code output.
Define the Machine

1. Right click Machine [Mill – Metric] in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree
and select Edit Definition or double click the item in the tree.
Did You Know ...

In the Feature and Operation trees, instead of right clicking items and selecting
Edit Definition, you can double-click the item to open the dialog box for editing
the Stock Manager, Machine, Setups, Features and Operations.

Mill Tutorial
The Machine dialog box displays the Machine tab. The default machine is specified in
the Technology Database. Machine [Mill–Metric] is the default machine used for the
metric parts in this manual. When you use SOLIDWORKS CAM to machine your
own parts, select the machine tool you want to use to machine the part.
Machine tools are set up in the Technology Database. Before using SOLIDWORKS
CAM to machine your parts, make sure you define the machine tools available in your
facility. For more information, refer the PDF manual “Technology Database
Tutorial”.
2. In the Available machines list,
highlight Mill–Metric and click
the Select button.
3. Click the Tool crib tab and make
sure Tool Crib 2 (Metric) is the
Active tool crib.
The Tool Crib page allows you to
choose a Tool Crib, which is a set
of tools or tool assemblies that are
used with the machine you have
chosen. These are not all the tools
that are available, but a subset that
you can modify to represent the
actual set of tools that the
machine has loaded.
Tool Crib 2 (Metric) is a default
tool crib that has been set up for
the sample Mill machine. When
you define your machine tools in
the Technology Database, you can
set up your own tool cribs.
4. Click the Post Processor tab.
This tab allows you to select the Tool Crib tab of Machine Dialog Box
internal post processor or the APT CL option to output a CL file. The list that displays
depends on the post processors that are installed on your system.
SOLIDWORKS CAM is supplied with several tutorial post processors. Contact your
SOLIDWORKS CAM Reseller for more information on obtaining and/or customizing
post processors for your machine tool.
If the post processors do not display, use the Browse button to locate the folder
containing the files (*.ctl).
5. If M3AXIS-TUTORIAL (the tutorial post processor) is not the Active post processor,
highlight it in the list and click the Select button. This post processor is used for

Mill Tutorial
exercise in this manual. When you use SOLIDWORKS CAM to machine your own
parts, you can select your machine tool controller or post processor.
When you select this post processor, a short description displays in the window. This
window contains information only if an optional file has been created for the post
processor.
6. Click the More button.
A longer description is displayed. The More button is activated only if a second
optional file has been created. This information is intended for use in training or as a
detailed description of post processor attributes that can be created.
Information files are provided for the sample post processor that is used for the
exercises in this manual. Your Reseller or your company manager may be able to
supply these files if they are available for your post processor. If files are not
available, you can create post information files as explained in the context-based
Help.
7. Click the Posting tab.
The parameters on this page are used for the following:
 To provide information required to generate the NC program. The parameters are
machine-dependent and different parameters may display for your controller. The
value for a parameter is output in the NC code if the machine requires it.
 To provide information for the Setup Sheet, a file that is created when the NC
program file is generated. All of the controller parameters are included in the
Setup Sheet.
8. Type 1001 for the Program
Number and press the
down arrow on the
keyboard to shift the focus
to the Part Thickness
field.
9. Type 40mm for the Part
Thickness.
10. Click OK to close the
machine dialog box. Posting tab of Machine Dialog Box

Mill Tutorial
Step 4: Define the Stock

The stock is the material from which the part will be
machined. The default stock is the smallest cube
(bounding box) that the part will fit into. Typically,
this is not the size of the stock you will be using. You
can change the stock definition either by offsetting the
bounding box from the part or by defining the stock
from a sketch and a depth (extruded sketch) or from an
STL file.
In this tutorial, you define the stock as a box offset
(bounding box) from the part.
1. Double click Stock Manager in the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
The Stock Manager dialog box is displayed.
2. For the Bounding box offset, type 1mm for X+ and
click the X+ button (Uniform X).
3. Repeat step 2 for Y+ and Z+. To set these entered
values as default values for future jobs, click on
the Set default button. Use the Get default button
to set the offset values to pre-defined default
values.
4. Select 304L as the material from the Material
dropdown list.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box.
Stock Manager Dialog box
Step 5: Define Machinable Features

In SOLIDWORKS CAM, machining can be done only on machinable features. You use
the following method to define machinable features:
 Interactively Created Features

If AFR does not recognize a feature you want to machine, you need to define the
feature interactively using the New 2.5 Axis Feature command. If you have 3 Axis
Milling, multi-surface features can be defined using the New Multi Surface Feature
command.

Mill Tutorial
Did You Know ...

You can select the type of 2.5 features that you want AFR to recognize. Open the
Options dialog box. You can select the type of features to be recognized by
selecting the desired features in the Feature Types group box on the Mill
Features tab of this dialog box.
Defining machinable features automatically:

Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager.
The SOLIDWORKS CAM Message Window displays automatically to report the progress
and status of the process.
You can control whether this window displays temporarily or permanently. Click on the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Options button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager. The Options dialog box is displayed. Check the Message Window option on the
General tab of this dialog box to view this window continuously.
General Tab of SOLIDWORKS CAM Options dialog box
SOLIDWORKS CAM generates the Mill Part Setup and machinable features. The items
display in the Feature tree.
The Mill Part Setup is the 2 axis plane that the tool movement will be based on. It has an
origin location, and X, Y, Z direction vectors. The Mill Part Setup is created
automatically; however, you can move the origin, and change the direction and angles of
the X and Y axes.
A Mill Part Setup is created for each different tool orientation. There is only one Mill
Part Setup for this part because all features can be machined using a single tool
orientation. For each Mill Part Setup, the machinable features are listed in the order in
which they were recognized.
The Feature tree allows you to:
 Copy, rename, suppress, delete and combine machinable features
 Change machinable feature parameters
 Change the order in which the features are machined

Mill Tutorial
 Insert 2.5 Axis and Multi Surface features

 Search for a feature based on item name
 Hide or show feature display in graphics area
Did You Know ...

Features display in a different color when they have no operations generated. Once
operations are successfully generated, they display in another color. If operations
are not generated for certain features (this occurs when feature conditions have not
been defined in the Technology Database), then they retain their original color
indicating non-generation of operations. You can set the color on the Display tab in
the Options dialog box.
Most feature parameters are fixed; however, some parameters can be changed using the
Parameters command on the feature’s RMB context menu.
1. Right click Hole Group1 in the tree and select Parameters on the context menu.
The Hole Parameters dialog box displays the number of components and the hole
parameters. Since there is no physical information about the type of hole,
SOLIDWORKS CAM allows you to define a Strategy for the hole (Drill, Bore, Ream,
Thread or a user-defined Strategy).
2. Click the down arrow next to Drill to see the choices.
3. Click Thread in the list.
The figure changes to reflect your choice and the Thread parameters are enabled.
4. Click the Strategy dropdown list and select Drill again.
6. Click the next to Hole Group1 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature
tree.
The tree expands to display each individual hole.
7. Click the next to Hole Group1 in the Feature tree.
The tree collapses hiding the individual hole features.
Hole Group
8. Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM Options button the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager.
Note that you can also select the Options command from the RMB context menu of
the SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager in the tree.
- The Options dialog box is displayed.
- On the General tab, make sure the Save/Restore part option is checked.
- Click OK to apply the settings and close the dialog box.

Mill Tutorial
If this Save/Restore part option is checked, when you save and close a part
document, the machining data is saved and restored with the part design
information when the part document is reopened.
If this option is not checked, when you save and close a part document that
contains at least one Setup, a message indicates that Save/Restore is disabled. If
you click Yes, SOLIDWORKS CAM saves all machining data before closing the
file. If you click No, SOLIDWORKS CAM closes the part and discards any new
machining data since the last save.
9. Select Save As on the File menu. Browse to the location where you wish to save the
file.
10. In the Save As dialog box, assign the desired file name and click the Save button.
SAVE FREQUENTLY!
 When you open a file, you are
actually working on a copy of the
file. The original is still stored on
disk. Periodically saving your file
ensures that your latest work is
retained.
 SOLIDWORKS CAM provides an
Auto save option on the General
tab in the Options dialog box for
automatically saving your
SOLIDWORKS CAM data.
 Frequent saves prevent having to
redo a time-consuming model or
CAM operation. If a power failure
occurs, you will lose whatever you
have been working on.
Defining Features Interactively

Automatic Feature Recognition can save a
significant amount of time; however, AFR
does have limitations. AFR cannot
recognize every feature on complex parts
and does not recognize some types of
features. To machine these areas, you can
define machinable features interactively
using the New 2.5 Axis Feature command.
For some parts, Face Features can be
recognized by AFR by selecting the Face
option under the Feature Types group box 2.5 Axis Feature: End conditions dialog box

Mill Tutorial
on the Mill Features tab in the Options dialog box.

For learning purposes, in this tutorial, you will insert a Face Feature so that you can face
the top of the part. In order to define a Face Feature, you select a face on the
SOLIDWORKS part that is at the depth you want to face the part to.
1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree and select 2.5
Axis Feature on the context menu.
The 2.5 Axis Feature: Select Entities dialog box will
be displayed.
2. Click the down arrow next to the Type dropdown list
box and select Face Feature.
3. Pick the top main face as shown on the right. The
outline of the face will be highlighted on the part and
CW Face-6 will be displayed in the Selected Entities
list.
4. Click the End Condition button at the top right of the dialog box.
The 2.5 Axis Feature: End Conditions dialog box will be displayed. This dialog box
allows you to determine how SOLIDWORKS CAM calculates the depth of the
feature and select a Strategy that defines a unique machining sequence.
5. In the Strategy dropdown list, select Finish.
6. In the End Condition – Direction 1 group box, leave the End condition Type set to
Upto Stock.
7. Click OK button to insert the feature and close the dialog box.
8. Face Feature1 will be displayed in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree. You have
now defined all the machinable features in this part and you are ready to generate the
Operation Plan.
Step 6: Generate Operation Plan and Toolpath

Generate Operation Plan Command
An Operation Plan contains information on how each machinable feature is to be
machined and how the NC code will be output. When Generate Operation Plan is run,
operations for each machinable feature are created automatically based on information in
the Technology Database. In some situations, the operations defined for a feature in the
Technology Database may not be sufficient and additional operations may be required.
You can insert operations interactively using the New 2 Axis Operation, New Hole
Operation and New 3 Axis Operation commands. These commands are explained in the
SOLIDWORKS CAM context-based Help.
Select one of the following methods to generate an operation plan:
Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager.

Mill Tutorial
OR
Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree and select
Generate Operation Plan on the context menu.
OR
Right click SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree
and select Generate Operation Plan on the context menu.
Note:
 If you execute the Generate Operation Plan command from the Command
Manager or the SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager level, then operations will be
generated for all prismatic features in the tree, regardless of the active item in the
tree.
 If you execute the Generate Operation Plan command from the Mill Part Setup
level, then operations will be generated only for those prismatic features listed
under the given Mill Setup.
 If you execute the Generate Operation Plan command at the feature level (by
right-clicking on a feature listed in the Feature tree and executing Generate
Operation Plan command from the RMB context menu), then operations will be
generated only for the selected feature.
SOLIDWORKS CAM generates the operation plan for all the machinable features in
Mill Part Setup1. The operations are listed in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation
tree, which displays automatically. The Operation tree can also be accessed by
clicking the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation Tree tab.
The SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree provides an outline view of the operations
for the machinable features. Operations are listed under the Mill Part Setup in the
same order as the machinable features. At the top of the tree is the SOLIDWORKS
CAM NC Manager. The Stock Manager and Machine items are the same as in the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree. You can change the stock size and shape and the
post processor used by SOLIDWORKS CAM to produce G-code.
The SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree allows you to:
 Insert, rename, suppress, and delete operations
 Change operation parameters
 Combine operations
 Sort operations
 Change the machining order
 Generate toolpaths
 Simulate toolpaths
 Post process the toolpaths
 Hide or show toolpath display
 Search based on item name

Mill Tutorial
To the left of each toolpath operation is a plus sign ( ). Clicking a plus sign displays
the name of the Machinable Feature that this operation is going to machine. These
Machinable Feature items can be used to view geometric information and to modify
the machining depth of the feature.
The operations that are generated by SOLIDWORKS CAM are based on information
stored in the Technology Database. These operations are intended to be used as a
starting point. Each operation contains operation parameters that affect how the
toolpath is created and specific parameters that will be output to the NC program.
These parameters can be edited before generating the toolpaths and post processing
the part.
Exclamation mark symbol over certain operations
In the Operation tree, observe that Center Drill1 and Drill1 operations have an
exclamation mark over them. The exclamation mark serves as a potential warning. In
most cases, the exclamation mark indicates that no suitable tool was available in the
active tool crib to machine that particular feature and hence a suitable tool was added
from the tool library and assigned to the operation.
Following are the steps to get rid of the exclamation mark:
a. Right-click on the Center Drill1 operation with an exclamation mark and select
What’s wrong? from the context menu.
b. A warning message indicating that tool selected was not from the active tool crib will
be displayed.
c. Click on the Clear button in this dialog box to get rid of the exclamation mark.
d. Repeat above steps for all operations with the red exclamation mark. In this tutorial,
repeat this step for Drill1 operation.
Message indicating What’s wrong with the selected Operation

Mill Tutorial
Did You Know ...

If an operation displays in a color other than black, then it indicates that
toolpaths have not been generated for that particular operation. This
occurs when you insert a new operation interactively, you insert a new
feature interactively and generate operations for the new feature, or
SOLIDWORKS CAM cannot generate the toolpath for an operation because
of an error in the toolpath algorithm or a parameter is not correct. You can
set the color for operations without toolpaths on the Display tab in the
Options dialog box.
Display tab of Options dialog box
Generate Toolpath Command

Click the Generate Toolpath button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager.
OR
Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree and select
Generate Toolpath command on the context menu.
SOLIDWORKS CAM calculates the toolpaths for each operation in the Mill Part
Setup.
Note:
Just like the Generate Operation Plan command, the scope of the Generate Toolpath
command too depends from which level the command is executed.
 Executing the Generate Toolpath command from the SOLIDWORKS CAM NC
Manager level generates toolpaths for all the operations.
 Executing the Generate Toolpath command at Mill Part Setup level generates
toolpaths only for operations listed under the given mill setup.
 You can also generate toolpaths for each operation individually by right-clicking
on an operation and executing Generate Toolpath command on the context menu.

Mill Tutorial
1. Highlight the first operation in the Operation tree, hold down the Shift key, then
highlight the last operation.
This action displays the toolpaths for all the operations on the part (in the graphics
area) showing the centerline of the toolpath.
2. Click an operation in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree.
 The toolpath for that operation is displayed.
 As you click each operation, the toolpath for that corresponding operation is
displayed.
 Generated toolpath list is displayed in the Operation tree.
Step 7: Adjusting Toolpath Parameters

SOLIDWORKS CAM calculates toolpaths using the operation parameters and the
feature's size and shape. After toolpath is generated for a particular operation, then that
operation is displayed in black-colored font in the Operation tree. These parameters can
be edited after generating the toolpaths and before post processing the part.
Edit toolpath parameters:

1. In the Operation tree, click on the ‘+’ sign next to Rough Mill5 operation. The feature
for which the operation was generated is listed below it. Observe that this operation
was generated for Irregular Pocket2 feature.
2. Double click Rough Mill5 operation.
OR
Right click on Rough Mill5 and select Edit Definition on the context menu.
The Operation Parameters dialog box will be displayed whenever you double-click
or execute Edit Definition command for an operation in the Operation tree. This
dialog box gives you access to all the parameters used to define the toolpath.
General parameters for the type of toolpath include the method of machining, depth of
cut, step over, stock allowance, retract height, speeds and feeds. This dialog box also
gives you access to the parameters for the tool you are using and allows you to select
a different tool.
3. Click the Roughing tab and change the Pocketing Pattern to Zigzag.

Mill Tutorial
Roughing tab of Operation Parameters dialog box
4. Click the Feature Options tab. In the Entry group box, change the Method to Entry
Hole.
6. Observe the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree. Notice that the Center Drill2 and
Drill2 operations were created automatically above the Rough Mill5 operation since
you set the Entry Method to Entry Hole.
When using the Entry Hole method, control is provided to:
 Specify any number of machining processes in the Technology Database to
machine the entry hole (i.e. Center Drill and Drill).
 Tool type selection is based on what each operation supports.
 Tool diameter selection can be customized in the Technology Database.
 Operation parameter defaults can be defined in the Technology Database.
Simulate Toolpath
SOLIDWORKS CAM provides the ability to simulate the toolpath showing the tool
movement and the resulting shape of the part.
1. Right click on Mill Part Setup1 and select Simulate Toolpath from the context menu.
The Toolpath Simulation dialog box is displayed.

Mill Tutorial
Simulate Toolpath Dialog box
The toolbar controls allow you to:

 Run the simulation in Tool or Turbo mode.
 Display the simulated part, the design part and a comparison of the two by
clicking on the Show Difference button .
 Customize the display of the stock, tool and tool holder (wireframe, translucent,
shaded, or no display) in Tool mode.
Note that these options are disabled in Turbo mode.
 Run the simulation for all or selected operations.
 When simulating an operation, the simulation can be for the current operation or
for all previous operations up to the selected operation.
 Dynamically change the orientation of the part using zoom, pan, rotate, etc.
 Control the simulation speed by dragging the Simulation Speed Control slider

Mill Tutorial
If you want to simulate only the toolpath for a given operation, you can right click on
that operation and select Simulate Toolpath in the context menu.
2. Set the simulation mode to Tool mode by clicking on the Tool mode button .
3. Set the tool display as Shaded With Edges .

4. Set the Tool Collision, Tool Shank Set the tool
holder display as Tool Cut Collision, Tool
Shank Cut Collision and Tool Holder Cut
Collision .
5. Click the Run button.
The simulation runs in Tool mode with the
tool and holder displayed during simulation.
6. Click the Pause button to pause during Simulation Mode
simulation. Click the Run button to

continue simulation.
7. Click the button in the upper right corner to cancel or close the simulation.
Step Through Toolpath

SOLIDWORKS CAM also provides the ability to visualize the tool motion and verify
tool positions using the Step Thru Toolpath command.
1. Executing the Step Thru Toolpath command: Both the Simulate Toolpath and Step
Thru Toolpath commands can be executed at the global, setup and operation levels.
Global level: To step through the toolpaths of all the operations in the Operation tree,
right click on the SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager in the Operation tree and select
Step Thru Toolpath command in the context menu.
OR
Select Step Thru Toolpath command on the Command
Manager.
Setup Level: Right-click on the Mill Part Setup1 and select Step Thru Toolpath
command in the context menu.
Operation level: Right-click on the desired operation in the Operation tree and select
Step Thru Toolpath in the context menu.
On execution of the Step Thru Toolpath command using one of the above methods,
the Step Thru Toolpath dialog box is displayed.
2. Use controls given in the Display Options group box to set the options as to how the
toolpath will be displayed during the Step Through process.

Mill Tutorial
3. In the Play Tool Until dropdown list, leave the end condition set to the default End.
4. Use the Animation speed slider to adjust the animation speed.
5. Click the Play button to continuously back-plot the tool till the end condition
specified in the Play
Tool Until field is
reached. OK button
6. During animation, the

Play button display Play button
changes to Pause
button . Click the
Pause button to pause Animation speed
slider
the animation while it is Tool Position
in progress. slider
7. When the animation has

Controls to set the
not yet begun or when it options for
is paused, the Forward Toolpath display
Single Step, Goto End of
Current Toolpath and
Goto End buttons are
active.
 Use the Forward
Single Step button Information on the current
toolpath move
to move one
toolpath record
forward each time
the button is clicked.
 Use the Goto End of
Displays information on
Current Toolpath the current operation
being back- plotted
button to move
the tool position to Step Through Toolpath dialog
the last toolpath
record of the current
operation.
 Use the Goto End
button to move
the tool position to the last toolpath record of the very last operation.

Mill Tutorial
Note: The last operation varies depending on which level the Step Through
Toolpath command is executed from. For example, if this command was
executed from the Mill Setup level, then the last operation would be the last
operation under that particular setup.
8. When the animation has been completed or when it is paused, the Reverse Single Step,
Goto Start of current Toolpath and Goto Start buttons are active.
 Use the Reverse Single Step button to move one toolpath record backwards
each time the button is clicked.
 Use the Goto Start of Current Toolpath button to move the tool position to
the first toolpath record of the current operation.
 Use the Goto Start button to move the tool position to the first toolpath record
of the very first operation.
9. If you are unsure about the use of any parameter within this dialog box, click on the
Help button at the upper right corner. This action will display the context-based
help for Step Through Toolpath command.
10. Click the OK button in the upper left corner to close the dialog box.
Step 8: Post Process Toolpaths

Post processing is the final step in generating the NC program file. When you use a
SOLIDWORKS CAM internal post processor, this step translates generalized toolpath
and operation information into NC code for a specific machine tool controller.
SOLIDWORKS CAM creates NC code for each toolpath in the order the operation
appears in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree. When you post process a part,
SOLIDWORKS CAM creates two files: the NC program and the Setup Sheet. These are
text files that you can read, edit and print using a word processor or text editor.
Did You Know ...

For more information on generating an enhanced APT CL file that can be used by
external post processing programs, see the context-based Help.
In this tutorial, you will post process all the operations and generate the NC program:
1. Click the Post Process button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager.
OR
Right click on the SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager in the Operation tree and select
Post Process on the context menu.

Mill Tutorial
The Post Output File dialog box is displayed so that you can save the NC program
file.
Typically, the NC program and Setup Sheet files are stored in the folder that
contained the last part that was opened. If you want these files in another location,
you can change the folder location.
Post Process dialog box
Note: If the Post Process command is grayed out on the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager or on any context menu, make sure that you have selected
a post processor and generated the toolpaths. Refer instruction 4 of Step 3 in
this tutorial.
2. In the Post Output File dialog box, click the down arrow to the right of the Save as
type box.
SOLIDWORKS CAM provides a list of commonly used extensions that you can
select. For this exercise, use the .txt extension.

Mill Tutorial
Did You Know ...

If you want change the default extension from .txt to one of the ones in the list or
if you want a different file name extension for NC program files, you can edit or
create a .pinf file and specify the new extension. For more information on making
these changes, see the context-based Help.
3. In the File name textbox, type the suitable file name, and then click Save button.
4. The Post Process Output dialog box will be displayed. Click the Step button on
the control bar at the top.
SOLIDWORKS CAM starts to generate the NC program and the first line of NC code
displays in the NC code output view box. The post processing mode is set to post
process one line of code at a time (Step mode).
5. Click the Step button. The next line of NC code is displayed.
6. Click the Run button . Post processing continues until it is completed.
7. When the post processing is finished, view the code using the vertical scroll bar.
More About Setup Sheets

The Setup Sheet is a printable file that contains information the machine tool operator can
use to set up the part and the tools required to produce a part. The information includes
the machine, the controller, estimated machine time, the part material, and the tooling
used to machine the part.
SOLIDWORKS CAM provides two methods for creating Setup Sheets:
i. During post processing, SOLIDWORKS CAM automatically creates a simple text file
with a .set extension.
ii. The Setup Sheet
command on the
SOLIDWORKS
CAM NC Manager
context menu and
the Generate Setup
Sheets command
on the Setup
context menu. In
the Setup Sheet
Options dialog
box, the
Generating Setup Sheets
information is
saved in an XML file, which allows the Setup Sheet to be formatted with an HTML style
sheet and displayed in a web browser.

Mill Tutorial
2 Axis Mill 2
SOLIDWORKS CAM is a feature-based machining system. Feature-based machining
provides numerous benefits because the definition of the feature enables a higher level of
automation when creating machining operations and associated toolpaths. Adding to this
benefit, SOLIDWORKS CAM provides one method for extracting features:
 INTERACTIVE FEATURE RECOGNITION
An interactive method for inserting features using the New 2.5 Axis Feature or New
Multi Surface Feature function. .
The following tutorial demonstrates how some of the features are identified
automatically using the Extract Machinable Features command.
Extracting and Working with Machinable Features

1. Open the part file MILL2AX_2.SLDPRT in the folder.
C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\SOLIDWORKS\
SOLIDWORKS 201x\CAM
Examples\Tutorial_Parts\Mill
2. Examine the part. You can recognize various sizes and
shapes of holes, bosses, pockets and slots. It appears
that SOLIDWORKS CAM extracts features based on
SOLIDWORKS features used to create the part. As you MILL2AX_2.SLDPRT
will see, this is not necessarily so. Notice that the design tree
contains no design features. This part was imported into SOLIDWORKS.
In this tutorial, you will see how SOLIDWORKS CAM determines machinable
features.
3. Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature Tree tab.
4. Double click Machine [Mill–Inch] in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
Did You Know ...

In the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature and Operation trees, instead of right-clicking
on the listed items and selecting Edit Definition from the context menu, you can
double-click the item to open the dialog box for editing the Stock Manager,
Machine, Setups, Features and Operations.

Mill Tutorial
The Machine dialog box will be displayed. This dialog box allows you to select a
machine definition, tool crib and
post processor. On the Machine
tab of this dialog box, Mill–Inch
is the active machine. This
machine definition has been
created for the SOLIDWORKS
CAM tutorials.
Tool Crib Tab

When you use SOLIDWORKS
CAM to machine your own parts,
you need to select the machine tools
that you want to use to machine the
part.
Click on the Tool Crib tab. This tab
allows you to choose a tool crib or
set of tools that are used with the
machine you have chosen. The Tool
crib does not contain all the tools
that are available; rather it contains a
subset of tools that you can modify
to represent the actual set of tools
that is loaded on the machine.
Tool Crib Priority

If you select the Tool crib priority Tool Crib tab of Machine dialog box
option, tool selection rules are
modified to place a higher priority on selecting tools from the tool crib. This results in
fewer tools being added to the tool list from the tool library. Refer to the SOLIDWORKS
CAM Context-based Help to understand the rules that are observed when this option is
used. For this tutorial, leave the Tool Crib priority option check box checked.
Tool Crib has Sub Stations

Select this option if your machine supports gang tooling. In this tutorial, this option will
be left unchecked.
Editing the Tool Crib

You can add, remove and edit tools in the Active Tool Crib from the Tool Crib tab.
1. Make sure Tool Crib 2 (Inch) is the active tool crib.

Mill Tutorial
2. Highlight a tool in the Active tool crib list and click Edit Tool button.
The Edit Tool Parameters dialog box will be displayed.
Edit Tool Parameter Dialog box
This dialog box allows you to change the parameters for the selected tool. The
changes you make in this dialog box affect only the tool crib for the current part. To
change the tool definition for all future jobs, click the Save Tool Crib button on the
Tool Crib tab or edit the tool crib definition in the Technology Database.
3. Click OK to apply the changes and close the Edit Tool Parameters dialog box. Click
Cancel to close this dialog box without saving the changes. In this tutorial, no changes
have been done to the parameters of an tool in the Tool crib. Hence, click Cancel.
4. To add tools from the tool library to the active Tool crib, click the Add Tool button
below the Tool crib tab in the Machine dialog box.
The Tool Select Filter dialog box will be displayed. This dialog box allows you to set
filters for displaying and selecting tools. At the bottom of this dialog box is a form
listing all the existing tools in the Technology Database which meet the filter criteria.
5. Select the required filters and enter the corresponding range values in the provided
fields. Click OK.

Mill Tutorial
6. To add a tool from this list into the active tool crib, highlight the required tool and
click OK.
The tool will be added at the bottom of the active tool crib. To make this tool
available in the active tool crib for all future jobs, click on the Save Tool Crib button.
Note: You cannot use the Tool Select Filter dialog box to add new tools to the
Technology Database. This dialog box can only be used to add tools to the
active tool crib.
7. Click Cancel to close the Tools Database form without adding a tool to the active tool
crib.
Tool Select filter dialog box
Modifying the Tools in the Technology Database

You can add, edit and delete tools present in the Technology Database using the Tool
Library buttons provided in the Tool Crib tab of the Machine dialog box.

Mill Tutorial
Adding a New Tool

To add a new tool to the Technology Database, click on the New Tool button in the Tool
Crib tab. The New Tool dialog box is displayed. Assign tool parameters as desired. Click
OK to close the New Tool dialog box. Observe that the new tool is added to the Active
Tool crib list. The tool is also added to the Technology Database.
Saving Changes Made to a Tool in the Active Tool Crib

If you edit a tool listed in the Active tool crib list, then the changes are applicable for the
current part only. These changes can be made permanent (and thus available for future
machining jobs) by saving them to the Technology Database. To do so, highlight the tool
in the Active tool crib list and click on the Save Tool button. The SOLIDWORKS CAM
displays the Save to Database dialog box. In the Save Tool to TechDB group box within
this dialog box, you can choose to update the existing tool or save the tool as a new tool
within the database. Select Update tool checkbox to save the changes to the existing
tool. Select Add new tools to database to save the edited tool as a new tool.
Message displayed on clicking the ‘Save Tool’

button

Mill Tutorial
Deleting a Tool
To permanently delete a tool from the Technology Database, highlight the tool in the
Active tool crib list and click on the Delete Tool button. This action will remove the tool
from the Technology Database. However, the tool will still be visible in the Active tool
crib list for the current part. To remove it from the Active tool crib list, highlight the tool
in the list and click on the Remove tool button.
Post Processor Tab and Posting Tab

1. Click the Post Processor tab in the Machine dialog box and make sure M3AXIS-
TUTORIAL is selected.
The M3AXIS-TUTORIAL post processor is used for the exercises in this manual.
When you use SOLIDWORKS CAM to machine your own parts, select your machine
tool controller or post processor.
2. Click the Posting tab.
These parameters provide information
required to generate the NC program.
When you use SOLIDWORKS CAM to
machine your own parts, change these
parameters as required.
3. Click OK to close the Machine dialog
box.
Defining the Stock

Feature tree.
2. The Stock Manager dialog box is
displayed. Leave the Stock Type set to
default Bounding box.
3. Change the Bounding box offsets to a
uniform 0.1in for X, Y, and Z.
4. Click OK to apply the changes and
close the dialog box.
Setting Bounding Box offsets in Stock

Manager Dialog Box

Mill Tutorial
Extract Machinable Features

1. Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager.
The SOLIDWORKS CAM Message Window is displayed. This window reports the
process status and shows the progress of the process.
When AFR is finished, the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree displays the
machinable features.
From the tree, you can reorder features using drag and drop, change feature names
and suppress features.
2. Click each machinable feature in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
As you pick each machinable feature, the geometry for that feature highlights on the
part.
Rectangular Slot
Rectangular Pocket
Obround Boss
Rectangular Boss
Irregular Slot 2.5 Axis Pocket

Counterbore
Multi-stepped Hole
Hole
Countersunk
Hole
Rectangular
Corner Slot Hole
Irregular Corner Slot

Circular Boss
Obround Pocket Irregular Pocket

Irregular Boss
2.5 Axis Mill Features
Notice that an Open Pocket feature was created.

When SOLIDWORKS CAM creates a Mill Part Setup, an Open Pocket feature is
created automatically if AFR finds a boss feature and the Setup is parallel to one of
the sides of the stock. The bottom of the Open Pocket is the bottom of the Boss
feature and the boss becomes an island in the Open Pocket.

Mill Tutorial
Open Pocket Feature with boss features as islands
Setting Features Types to be recognized by AFR

1. Click on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Options button in the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager.
The Options dialog box is displayed.
2. Click on the Mill Features tab. The defaults in the Feature types group box are set for
SOLIDWORKS CAM to recognize and create Holes, Non holes, Boss and Tapered
and filleted features.
3. In the Feature types
section, check the
Face option.
If the Face option is
checked, then a
Face Feature is
created
automatically when
the Extract
Machinable
Features command
is executed and is
listed under the
Feature tree under
the Mill Part Setup
if the top most face
is parallel to the
Setup and the Setup
is parallel to one of Selecting Feature Types to be recognized by SOLIDWORKS CAM
when EMF command is executed
Mill Tutorial
the sides of the stock.

4. When SOLIDWORKS CAM extracted
features, a 2.5 Axis pocket (Rectangular
Pocket2) was found. This feature was
recognized because the Tapered & filleted
option in the Feature Types group box was
checked. When the Tapered & filleted
option is checked, SOLIDWORKS CAM
can automatically create 2.5 axis features
that meet the definition of filleted and
tapered features which fulfill the following
conditions:
Tapered & filleted rectangular pocket
 The top and bottom of the feature are (highlighted in green)
flat and parallel to the Mill Part Setup
direction.
 The side wall can be vertical or a constant taper with a top or bottom fillet and/or a
top of bottom chamfer.
 Corner fillets must be conical as defined by the taper angle of the feature.
Note: Tapered and filleted features which do not fulfill the above conditions are not
recognized automatically by AFR when the EMF command is executed. Such
features can be created interactively using the New 2.5 Axis Feature command.
Rebuild the Features

Now that the Face Feature option has been checked within the list of Features Types to be
recognized, you need to execute the Extract Machinable Features command once again
to rebuild the features.

Command Manager.
2. SOLIDWORKS CAM rebuilds the feature list. Observe the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Feature tree. Notice that AFR has created a Face feature.

Mill Tutorial
Face Feature (highlighted in Red)
Setting Feature Strategy

Machinable features are recognized based on the part's geometry (the shape of a feature)
and topology (how the features are related to one another). However, not all strategies of
a feature can be determined from the geometry and topology.
For example, Automatic Feature
Recognition (AFR) cannot
determine whether a hole has
been threaded, reamed or bored.
SOLIDWORKS CAM allows
you to specify an additional
Strategy to a feature so that more
appropriate operations can be can
be created.
Following are the steps to specify
the strategy:
1. Double click Hole1 in the
Feature tree.
The Parameters dialog box
will be displayed. This dialog
box provides a geometric and
dimensional report on the
feature and allows you to
assign additional information
to the feature. In the case of
holes, you can identify
whether the hole is to be
drilled, bored, reamed or
threaded, etc. Hole Parameters dialog box

Mill Tutorial
Depending on the Strategy selected, a different machining process can be assigned.

You can change how each feature is processed by defining the sequence in the
Technology Database.
2. In the Strategy dropdown list, select Bore.
3. Click OK to apply the changes to Strategy and close the dialog box.
4. Review the parameters of other machinable features to understand more about the
features.
Mill Part Setup

During Automatic Feature Recognition, the Extract
Machinable Features command also created Mill Part Setup1.
The Mill Part Setup defines the tool direction necessary to
machine these features.
1. Click Mill Part Setup1 in the Feature tree.
A marker displays on the part. The arrow indicates the Marker displayed on part
machining direction. The cross in the center of the circle represents the machining X
and Y axes. The X machining direction can be changed if necessary. For more
information, see the SOLIDWORKS CAM context-based Help.
The origin of the Mill Part Setup is program zero. By default, the origin is set to a
vertex or middle of the top most features. In most situations, you will want to change
this.
How to change the Mill Part Setup origin is explained in Chapter 3 of this document.
Generate Operation Plan

When you execute the Generate Operation Plan command, operations are created for
every selected feature based on the rules defined in the Technology Database (TechDB).
Operations are not generated for suppressed features and features in the Recycle Bin.
In this tutorial, you will first create an operation plan for an individual machinable feature
and then for all machinable
features within the Mill Part Setup.
1. Right click on Rectangular Pocket1 and select Parameters on the context menu.
2. The Rectangular Pocket Parameters dialog box is displayed. In the Strategy dropdown
list, select Coarse.
Coarse is a system Strategy that has been defined in the TechDB to generate a Rough
Mill operation for a Rectangular Pocket feature. Details of the Rough Mill operation
designated to this strategy will be displayed to the right hand side of the dialog box
when you select the Strategy in the dropdown list. After you have learned how to use

Mill Tutorial
SOLIDWORKS CAM, you can modify system Strategies to correspond to your

requirements.
Strategy set to Coarse for Rectangular Pocket feature in Parameters dialog box
3. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

4. Right click Rectangular Pocket1 in the Feature tree and select Generate Operation
Plan command on the context menu.
The Operation tree lists a Rough Mill operation for the rectangular pocket.
5. Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature Tree tab to return to the Feature tree.
6. Right click Rectangular Pocket1 in the tree and select Parameters in the context menu.
7. In the Rectangular Pocket Parameters dialog box, change the Strategy to Rough-
Finish, and then click OK.
This Rough-Finish strategy is one of the default strategies that have been set up in the
TechDB. This strategy has been set up to generate Rough Mill and Contour Mill
operations for a Rectangular Pocket feature. You can add your own user-defined
strategies and modify or delete existing Strategies within TechDB to customize the
TechDB. Refer ‘Technology Database Tutorial’ for details.

Mill Tutorial
8. Right click Rectangular Pocket1 in the Feature tree and select Generate Operation
Plan command.
Since the Generate Operation Plan command has already been run once for this
feature, when you execute the command again, SOLIDWORKS CAM displays the
Generate Operation Plan dialog box which has the following choices:
Update: Select this option to generate operations for new features or for features that
you deleted all previously generated operations. The operation list will not be updated
for features that have previously generated operations.
Regenerate: If you select this option, all previously generated operations are deleted
and new a new operation list is created. If you have modified any operations, these
modifications will be lost.
Cancel: Click Cancel to revoke the Generate Operation Plan command.
9. Click Regenerate to delete the previous Rough Mill operation and generate a new
operation list.
Dialog box displayed when GOP command is

executed for a feature with operation(s)
The Operation tree lists Rough Mill and Contour Mill operations for the rectangular
pocket.
10. Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature Tree tab to return to the Feature tree.
11. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the Feature tree and select Generate Operation Plan
command on the context menu.
12. Since operations already exist for at least one feature listed in the Mill Part Setup
(Rectangular Pocket1 in this case), the Generate Operation Plan dialog box will be
displayed. Select Update in this dialog box in order to generate operations only for
those features for which do not have operations.
You have not changed any operation parameters for the Rough Mill and Contour Mill
operations that have already been generated for Rectangular Pocket1. Hence, you
could select either Regenerate or Update because in both cases, the result would be
the same. If you had modified these operations, you would want to select Update to
generate an operation list only for the features that do not have operations.

Mill Tutorial
The SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree now contains operations for all machinable
features in the selected Mill Part Setup.
Locating Operations for Selected Feature

You can use the Go To command for locating operations for the desired feature.
2. Right click on MS Hole1 [MSH1(inch)] in the Feature tree and select Go To, then select
Operations For… on the context menu.
The Operations For… command in the context menu
This command allows you to

quickly locate operations that
were generated for a selected
feature.
The Find in SOLIDWORKS
CAM Tree dialog box is
displayed. The operation Center
Drill3 and Drill3 is listed in this
dialog box. A lone drill operation
is not enough to machine a multi-
step feature. Find in SOLIDWORKS CAM Tree dialog box
In the TechDB, the Strategy [MSH1(inch)] has been defined to generate a center drill
cycle, 2 single drill cycles, 2 Rough Mill cycles and 2 Thread Mill cycles for multi-
stepped hole features. Since multi-stepped holes can be any shape, you need to define
machining sequences in the TechDB that are common for machining multi-stepped holes
in your facility.

Mill Tutorial
To generate the NC code for this part, you would adjust the operation parameters as
required for the operations, insert a series of operations for the multi-stepped hole,
generate toolpaths, and post process the part. These steps will be explored in further
tutorials.

Mill Tutorial
2 Axis Mill 3
 Defining the Stock from a Bounding Box
 Inserting Additional Mill Part Setups
 Creating a Face Feature
 Reorganizing Machinable Features
 Suppressing Machinable Features
 Inserting 2.5 Axis Features
 Combining Machinable Features
In this tutorial, assume that the part starts out as

a casting and machining is required only for the
holes and certain faces.
In the first clamping position or Mill Part Setup,
you will face the bottom of the part and drill the
large center hole and the three outside holes.
In the second clamping position or Mill Part Bottom face
Setup, you will machine off the top center face
and the three irregular corner slots (shown in
dark grey color).
Note that the irregular pockets (shown in light
grey color) and the part perimeter will not be
machined.
Top face
Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the
Machine
MILL2AX_3.SLDPRT: The part to be
1. Open part file MILL2AX_3.SLDPRT in the machined
following folder.
3. Double click on Machine [Mill–Inch] in the Feature tree. The Machine dialog box
will be displayed.
 On the Machine tab, ensure that Mill–Inch is the Active machine.

Mill Tutorial
 Click on the Tool Crib tab and make sure Tool Crib 2 (Inch) is the Active tool set.
 Click on the Post Processor tab and make sure M3AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected;
then click OK to close the Machine dialog box.
Step 2: Defining the Stock from a Bounding Box

The stock size, shape and material type are defined next.
The stock definition serves several purposes:
 Defines the stock size and shape for simulation.
 Specifies the material type, which is used by the TechDB for feed/speed calculations.
By default, the stock shape is a cube (bounding box) whose dimensions enclose the part.
However, in reality, the size of the stock is usually larger than the size of the part.
For this tutorial, assume that the part is machined from a casting that has 0.1inch material
to be removed from the top, bottom and side surfaces. You will use the default Stock
Type of Bounding box and offset the minimum stock size by 0.1inch.
1. Double click Stock Manager in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
2. The Stock Manager dialog box is displayed. Change the Bounding box offsets for X+,
Y+, Z+, X-, Y- and Z- to a uniform 0.1in.
3. Click OK to apply the offsets and close the dialog box.
Executing Extract Machinable Features Command

Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager.
SOLIDWORKS CAM creates the Mill Part Setup necessary to machine all of the
machinable features that are recognized.
Observe that the Face features weren’t recognized as this feature type was not selected in
the types of features to be recognized using AFR in the Options dialog box.
In this tutorial, the face feature for the top and bottom face of the part will be inserted
interactively.
Step 3: Interactive Feature Recognition

Need for Interactive Feature Recognition
SOLIDWORKS CAM may not be able to find all features on a part. On complex parts,
AFR may not recognize all possible features that you want to machine or AFR may
recognize a feature that might not be suitable for the intended machining process. When
this occurs, you can define these features interactively.

Mill Tutorial
Deleting a Feature
For learning purposes, in this tutorial, you will have to delete the three irregular corner
slot features and then insert them interactively.
1. Hold down the Shift key on the keyboard and click each Irregular Slot in the tree to
highlight the items, then select Delete on the context menu.
2. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
The features are moved to the Recycle Bin . When a feature is deleted, it is
automatically placed in the Recycle Bin, which is used to store machinable features
that you do not intend to machine.
3. Click the minus sign to the left of the Recycle Bin to collapse it.
Inserting Additional Mill Part Setups

Click Mill Part Setup1 in the Feature tree and notice that the machining direction
indicated by the triad that displays in the graphics area.
Mill Part Setup1 defines the tool direction
pointing down from the top of the part. In this
tutorial, you need to face the underside of the
part first.
To machine the underside, you need to define
a Mill Part Setup for that tool direction. New
Mill Part Setups can be interactively inserted
into the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree
by selecting a part face that is normal to the
tool axis of the Mill Part Setup.
Machining direction indicated by triad
Mill Setup Dialog box

Mill Tutorial
Steps to interactively insert a Mill Part Setup:

1. Rotate the part so that the underside surface is visible.
2. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree and select Mill
Part Setup from the context menu. The Mill Setup dialog box is displayed.
3. In the graphics area, pick the underside face.
This face will be listed in the Selected Entity field.
Underside of the part
4. In the New Features group box, make sure the Face option is checked.
If this option is checked, when SOLIDWORKS CAM creates a Mill Part Setup, a face
feature is created automatically if the top most face is parallel to the Setup and the
Setup is parallel to one of the sides of the stock.
5. Set the Strategy to Finish.
6. Click OK to close the Mill Setup dialog box.
Mill Part Setup2 is created in SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree with the tool
direction. The Face Feature is created automatically and listed under this Mill Part
Setup.
The names for Mill Part Setup1 and Mill Part Setup2 can be changed to Top and
Bottom or some other recognized convention.
7. Right click Mill Part Setup1 and select Rename from the context menu.
8. Change the name to Top Part Setup, and then press Enter.
Notice that when you click a Mill Part Setup in the tree, an axis displays on the part to
indicate the tool direction.
9. Right click Mill Part Setup2 and select Rename from the context menu.

Mill Tutorial
10. Change the name to Bottom Part Setup, and then press Enter.
Reorganizing Machinable Features

In addition to the face feature, you can also drill the hole features from the Bottom Part
Setup. However, the hole features were recognized in the Top Part Setup. With the
mouse, you can drag the features in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree from the Top
Part Setup to the Bottom Part Setup.
1. Hold down the left mouse button and drag Hole1 over Bottom Part Setup, then release
the button.
 Notice that as you drag the item, an arrow displays to indicate where the item will
be positioned.
 Hole1 will be listed after Bottom Part Setup.
2. Next, hold down the left mouse button and drag Hole Group1 over Hole1, then release
the button.
Hole Group1 will be listed after Hole1.
Suppressing Machinable Features

You will now define features to machine the top of the part. The only machinable
features left in the Top Part Setup are the Open Pocket and the three irregular pockets.
Since the irregular pocket features will not be machined in this tutorial, you can either
delete or suppress them. The steps below show you how to suppress these features.
1. Hold down the Ctrl key and select Irregular Pocket1, Irregular Pocket2, and Irregular
Pocket3 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
Make sure you select all 3 features.
2. Right click and select Suppress from the context menu.
The icons for the features display in gray instead of magenta to indicate these features
are suppressed.
3. Click Save As on the File menu.
4. The Save as dialog box is displayed. In the File name field, type an appropriate file
name and click the Save button.

Mill Tutorial
Suppressing Features
Inserting 2.5 Axis Features

As stated earlier, in this tutorial, the face feature and irregular slot features for this part
will be inserted interactively. The face feature for the underside of the part was inserted
along with the interactive insertion of Mill Part Setup (Bottom Part Setup).
The top of the circular boss and the three irregular slots will be machined using the New
2.5 Axis Feature command to define them.
Features to be interactively inserted
Steps to interactively insert Face Feature:

1. Rotate the part so the top face is visible.

Mill Tutorial
2. Right click Top Part Setup in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree and select 2.5
Axis Feature in the context menu.
3. The 2.5 Axis Feature: Select Entities dialog box is displayed. Click the down arrow to
display the Feature Type list and select Face Feature.
4. Pick the top center face from the top of the boss. On executing this action, it is
highlighted in the graphics area.
Picking the face to interactively

insert face feature
CW Face-3 is displayed in the

Selected Entities field.
5. Click the
End Conditionsbutton.
6. The 2.5 Axis Feature: End
Conditions dialog box will be
displayed. Set the Strategy to
Finish.
7. Leave the End Condition Type as
Upto Stock.
8. Click OK to insert the feature
and close the dialog box.
Observe that Face Feature3 is
added at the bottom of the list of
features under Top Part Setup.
Steps to interactively insert

Corner Slot Feature:
After insertion of the Face feature,
you will now use the 2.5 Axis
Interactively inserting the face feature

Mill Tutorial
Feature: Selected Entities dialog box to define 2.5 Axis features for the three irregular
corner slots.
1. Right-click on Face Feature2 and select 2.5 Axis Feature on the context menu.
2. In the 2.5 Axis Feature: Selected Entities dialog box, click the down arrow to display
the Feature Type list and select Corner Slot.
These slots are defined as Corner Slots because more than one edge is open. By
defining it as a corner slot, the tool will machine outside the slots on the open air
edges.
3. In the graphics area, pick each of the three dark grey faces of the corner slots.
The Entities selected list displays CW Face-0, CW Face-1 and CW Face-2.
4. Click the End Conditions button. The 2.5 Axis Feature: End
Conditions dialog box will be displayed.
The depth of material to leave for this feature will be from the face of the corner slot
to the face immediately above the corner slot. You can either pick an end condition
from the End Condition dropdown list or select a face or vertex and have
SOLIDWORKS CAM set the depth automatically.
5. Leave the End condition set to Blind and pick the dark grey colored face above the
corner slot.
On executing this action, the End condition is automatically set to Upto Face and the
Depth parameter displays the distance
as 0.14in.
Pick the dark grey colored face
6. Click on the Edit feature profiles

button.
The 2.5 Axis Feature: Feature Profiles
dialog box will be displayed. When a
Corner Slot is defined from a part face,
SOLIDWORKS CAM determines the
open air edges automatically. If
necessary, you can change the open air 2.5 Axis Feature: Feature Profiles dialog box

Mill Tutorial
edges.
7. Select the Feature for which you wish to review the open air edges in the Feature
dropdown list. Suppose Irregular Corner Slot (2) is selected.
8. Select any segment in the Profile Segments list.
The corresponding edge is highlighted on Irregular Corner Slot(2). If
SOLIDWORKS CAM determined that the edge as an open air edge, then the Air
Segment button is active.
9. For every segment listed in the Profile segments list, observe that the edges have been
correctly identified by SOLIDWORKS CAM as Air Segment open/closed. You do
not need to change the feature profile of any segments.
10. Click OK.
The 2.5 Axis Feature: End Conditions dialog box will be displayed. This dialog box is
displayed when you define a Pocket, Slot, Corner Slot, or Face Feature.
11. Click the Island

button.
The 2.5 Axis Feature: Island Entities
dialog box will be displayed.
12. Make sure the Detect for all check box
option is checked.
When you define multiple features and
select this option, SOLIDWORKS
CAM attempts to find islands for all
features. If this option is not checked,
SOLIDWORKS CAM attempts to find
islands only for the current feature. 2.5 Axis Feature: Island Entities dialog box
13. Click Auto detect.
SOLIDWORKS CAM does not
find any islands for the corner slots.
When necessary, you could click the
Add button and interactively insert islands.
14. Click OK to insert the corner
slot features and close the dialog box.
The Irregular Corner Slot features
are listed in the Feature tree.
All machinable features are now defined.
Interactively inserted irregular slot features

Mill Tutorial
Combining Machinable Features

Group Features
Three Irregular Corner Slots were defined at the corners of the part. If you were to
generate an operation plan now, separate operations would be created for each feature.
For example, if the Technology Database defines that an Irregular Corner Slot feature
will be machined with a rough and finish cycle, the Generate Operation Plan command
would create three Rough Mill operations and three Contour Mill operations for these
features.
To make it easier to manage the operation parameters for these features, you can make a
single Group feature that contains all three features. As a Group feature, the three
Irregular Corner Slot features will be machined with one set of operations.
Steps to create a Group Feature:

In this tutorial, the irregular corner slot features will be grouped. Following are the steps
to group the features:
1. Right click the first Irregular Corner Slot (Irregular Corner Slot1) in the
SOLIDWORKS CAM
Feature tree and select
Create Group in the RMB
context menu.
The Edit Feature Group
dialog box will be
displayed.
The Feature List on the
right displays the selected
feature. The Available
Features list on the left
shows other features of
the same type and depth Create Group command on the RMB context menu
that can be added to make
the Group feature.
2. Pick Irregular Corner Slot2, click

Add.
3. Observe that this feature is added
to the Feature List on the right.
Pick Irregular Corner Slot3 and
click Add.
4. Click OK to create the group and
Edit feature Group Dialog Box

Mill Tutorial
The three pockets are combined into a single feature labeled Irregular Slot Group2 in
the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
Group Feature added
Step 5: Generate Operation Plan and Toolpaths

Generate an Operation Plan for each Mill Part Setup
1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager.
OR
Right click SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature
tree, select Generate Operation Plan from the context menu.
Operations are created for the machinable features in the Bottom Part Setup and Top
Part Setup.
The operations are in listed in the Operation tree in the same order as their associated
machinable features. You can easily change the order.
2. Observe that Center Drill operations and Drill2 operations under Bottom Part Setup
have a red exclamation mark because the tool assigned to these operations are not
from the active tool crib.
Right-click on each of these operations and select What’s Wrong? from the context
menu. In the Errors message box that is displayed, click the Clear button in order to
get rid of the exclamation mark.
3. If the Face Mill operation is not listed first in the Top Part Setup or Bottom Part Setup,
you can drag and drop this operation to the first position.
4. In the Top Part Setup, press and hold down the left mouse button with the pointer over
Face Mill1.
5. Drag the operation over the top of Top Part Setup and release the button.
The Operation tree re-displays with the operation moved to the new location.

Mill Tutorial
6. Repeat steps 2 for Face Mill2 of Bottom Part Setup and drag the operation over the top
of Bottom Part Setup and release the button. This action moves it first position under
the Bottom Part Setup.
Generate Toolpaths and Post Process the Part
Verify Operation Parameters and Generating Toolpath
1. Double click each operation item in the tree to open the Operation Parameters dialog
box and review the cutting parameters.
2. After you have verified that the parameters for each operation are set the way you want
them, right click Bottom Part Setup in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree and
select Generate Toolpath command in the RMB context menu.
3. Repeat step 2 for the Top Part Setup.
4. Experiment by changing parameters for the operations and regenerating the toolpaths.
SOLIDWORKS CAM Message Window
Check the SOLIDWORKS CAM Message Window.
 The Message Window provides information you may find helpful. For example,
based on the information in this window, you may want to change a tool or insert a
finish operation in order to cut a machinable feature completely.
 If the Message Window is not displayed, select SOLIDWORKS CAM
Options on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager and check the Message
Window check box on the General tab.
 You can move the window and adjust the size. To change the size, point to a border or
corner of the window (the pointer changes to a two-headed arrow). Drag the corner or
border until the window is the size you want, and then release the mouse button.
Simulating the Toolpath

SOLIDWORKS CAM provides the ability to simulate toolpaths showing the tool
movement and the resulting shape of the part.
1. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager.
Observe the simulated toolpath. In case of any errors or collisions, modify the
Operation Parameters, regenerate toolpaths and simulate the toolpaths once again.
Observe that the perimeter of the part is not simulated since no part perimeter feature
was inserted in the list of features to be machined.
3. Click the Close button in the upper right corner of the Simulation toolbar to exit
Simulation mode.

Mill Tutorial
Step 6: Post Processing the Toolpaths

1. Right click Bottom Part Setup in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree and select
Post Process in the RMB context menu.
2. In the Save Post Output File dialog box, click Save to accept the default file name.
Change the file name if required.
Note that if you are running SOLIDWORKS CAM in Demonstration mode, this menu
option and dialog box does not display.
3. The Post Process Output dialog box is displayed. In the Display group box of this
dialog box, check the Centerline option so that the toolpath will be highlighted as
each line of code is produced.
4. Click the Play button .

NC code is created for the Bottom Part Setup.
5. After viewing the code, click OK to close the dialog box.
6. Right click Top Part Setup in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree and select
Post Process in the RMB context menu.
7. In the Save Post File dialog box, type a suitable file name.
8. In the Post Process Output dialog box, click the Play button NC code will be
created for the Top Part Setup.
10. Open the saved Post process files. Observe that the generated NC code has been
saved.

Mill Tutorial
2 Axis Mill 4
 Defining the Stock from a Sketch
 Inserting Open Pocket Feature
 Adjusting Operation Parameters
 Deleting an Operation
 Inserting an Operation
 Defining Program Zero
 Sorting Operations
This tutorial guides you through the steps to machine the part shown below. The concepts
given above (under What You’ll Learn) will be explained during the execution of the
steps required to machine this part.
You are expected to have an understanding of the concepts explained in the previous
three tutorials before beginning with this tutorial.
Top face
Sequence of machining:
Mill Part Setup1: To machine the top
side of the part
 Drill two holes on each end of part.
 Face top of part.
 Face depression on left side of part.
 Finish profiles the hole on each end of Left Depression
the part.
 Rough and finish rectangular pocket. Upper side of the part to be machined
 Finish machine three obround holes.

 Rough and finish outside part shape
from stock (open pocket).
Mill Part Setup2: To machine the
bottom side of the
part
 Face the bottom of the part.
 Rough and finish the two depressions
on the bottom of the part.
Bottom Face depressions (irregular slots)

Mill Tutorial
Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the Machine

1. Open the part file MILL2AX_4.SLDPRT in the following folder.
C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\CAM
3. Double click Machine [Mill–Inch] in the Feature tree. The Machine dialog box will
be displayed.
 On the Machine tab, Mill–Inch is the Active machine.
 Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Tool Crib 2 (Inch) is the active tool crib.
 Click the Post Processor tab and make sure M3AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
 Click OK to apply these settings and close the Machine dialog box.
Step 2: Defining the Stock from a Sketch

For this part, consider that the stock is a block of material that does not have the same
amount of material on all sides. For such cases, SOLIDWORKS CAM has the provision
to define a stock using a pre-defined sketch and user-input depth.
In this tutorial, you will define it using a rectangular sketch and a depth. A sketch named
Stock Profile has already been created in this part. The sketch plane is positioned 0.05in
above the top of the part.
SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree to open
the Stock Manager dialog box.
SOLIDWORKS CAM automatically
calculates the stock size and shape based on
the smallest block possible. You can change
this definition by specifying a sketch and
depth.
2. Under Stock Type, select Extruded Sketch.
3. Pick the rectangular sketch in the graphics
area.
The sketch will be highlighted.
4. Set the Depth to 1in.
Stock Manager Dialog Box

Mill Tutorial
Select Sketch
5. If the stock doesn’t extrude in the correct

direction, click the Reverse Direction button.
6. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog
box.
7. Left click on the Stock Manager in the Feature tree to
see an outline of the stock.
Stock extruded in correct direction
Step 3: Extracting Machinable Features

Settings for Recognizing Face Feature Automatically
1. Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM Options button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager. The Options dialog box will be displayed.
2. Click the Mill Features tab in the Options dialog box.
3. Under Feature Types, check the Face option.
Automatic Feature Recognition

Command Manager.
SOLIDWORKS CAM creates the Mill Part Setups necessary to machine all of the
machinable features that are recognized.
Under Mill Part Setup1, the recognized features include the face feature, two holes,
the rectangular pocket and the three obround pockets, which are included in Obround
Pocket Group1.

Mill Tutorial
Mill Part Setup2 machines features from the

bottom. Under Mill Part Setup2, the
recognized features include the face feature
and the two depressions which are recognized
as Irregular slot features.
2. Click Mill Part Setup1 in the Feature tree and
check the machining direction that displays on
the part.
All the hole and pocket features go through Correct direction for machining Hole &
the part. Hence, AFR may determine the Pockets features
machining direction either from the top or the
bottom of the part. If these features are recognized from the bottom direction instead
of from the top as shown in the image of the previous page, drag and drop these
features from Mill Part Setup2 to Mill Part Setup1.
Step 4: Interactively Inserting Features

For this tutorial, you will interactively define an Open Pocket (feature that defines the
outside profile of the part so it can be machined from the stock). This feature is created
from a sketch.
Steps to Interactively insert an Open Pocket Feature

Need for Open Pocket Feature
For this tutorial, you will rough the part from the stock, then finish machine the perimeter
of the part. In order to do this, you define the stock perimeter as an Open Pocket and the
part as an island in this pocket. The interactively inserted 2.5 Axis Open Pocket feature
will be used to machine the perimeter of the part.
By defining this 2.5 Axis feature as an Open Pocket, the toolpath will extend beyond the
stock perimeter so that all of the material will be removed. In comparison, if the stock
perimeter were defined as a simple Pocket, the roughing toolpath would be constrained
within the perimeter of the stock leaving unmachined areas in the corners.

Mill Tutorial
Steps to interactively insert Open Pocket Feature:

1. In the Feature Tree, right click
Mill Part Setup1 and select 2.5
Axis Feature command on the
context menu.
2. The 2.5 Axis Feature: Select
Entities dialog box will be
displayed. In this dialog box,
select Open Pocket for the
Feature Type.
3. In the Available sketches list,
select the sketch labeled Stock
Profile.
4. Click End
Condition button.
5. The 2.5 Axis Feature: End
Conditions dialog box will be
displayed. In the 2.5 Axis feature
group box:
i. Set the Strategy set to Rough-
Finish.
ii. Check the Through checkbox
option.
With this option checked, the
feature will be machined
slightly deeper than the stock
to remove all material.
6. In the End condition – Direction
1 group box, click on the
dropdown list and set the End
condition to Upto Stock.
7. In the Feature Profile group box,
leave the Use Stock Extents
option checked.
8. Click Island
button at the top of the dialog
box. 2.5 Axis Feature: End Conditions dialog box

Mill Tutorial
9. The 2.5 Axis Feature: Island Entities

dialog box will be displayed. Click the
Auto detect button.
SOLIDWORKS CAM considers a flat
face that is normal to the Mill Part Setup
as an island. In this part, the top face of
the part and the left depression face are
both flat and normal to the current Mill
Part Setup (Mill Part Setup1) and are
therefore identified as islands
automatically.
When necessary, you can define islands
interactively by clicking the Add button
in this dialog box and selecting faces,
edges, loops and sketches.
10. Click OK to insert the feature and
The Open Pocket Feature (Open
Pocket1) is now listed at the bottom of
Mill Part Setup1 in the SOLIDWORKS
CAM Feature tree. 2.5 Axis Feature: Island Entities dialog box
Operations are generated for features in
the same sequence as the features appear in a Mill Part Setup. Rearranging these
features will ensure that when operations are generated for these features by executing
the Generate Operation Plan command, then operations are sequenced in the same
order as the features.
Step 5: Generating Operations

Changing Feature Strategy before Generating Operations
Before the Operation Plan is generated, strategies can be assigned to features so as to
affect the operations that are created for each feature. In this tutorial, you will change the
default strategy of Rectangular Pocket1.
1. In the Feature tree, right click Rectangular Pocket1 and select Parameters on the
context menu to open the Rectangular Pocket Parameters dialog box.
2. In this dialog box, set the Strategy to Rough.
This system Strategy has been set up in the TechDB to generate a Rough Mill
operation for a Rectangular Pocket feature.

Mill Tutorial
Setting the Strategy to ‘Rough’ for Rectangular Pocket Feature
Executing Generate Operation Plan Command

1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager. The operations are listed in the Operation tree for both Mill Part
Setup1 and Mill Part Setup2.
OR
Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the tree and select Generate Operation Plan in the
context menu.
Operations will be generated for Mill Part Setup1 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Operation tree.
2. Switch back to the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
3. Right click Mill Part Setup2 and select Generate Operation Plan in the context menu.

Mill Tutorial
Operations will now be generated for Mill Part Setup2 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Operation tree.
4. Click on the plus symbol next to each operation under Mill Part Setup1. This
action expands the tree to identify the feature that is machined by the particular
operation.
5. Observe that the operations are generated for the features in the same sequence as the
features listed in the Feature tree. This is true for both Mill Part Setup1 and Mill Part
Setup2.
6. A yellow exclamation mark over certain operations indicates that the tools assigned to
those operations were not assigned from the active tool crib. You can right-click on
such operations and select What’s wrong? on the context menu. Click on the Clear
button on the displayed error message to get rid of the exclamation mark.
Adjusting Operation Parameters

The operations that are generated by SOLIDWORKS CAM are based on information
stored in the Technology Database. Each operation contains parameters that affect how
the toolpath is created and specific parameters that will be output to the NC program.
These parameters can be edited before generating the toolpaths and post processing the
part.
In this tutorial, you will edit the Operation Parameters of the following operations:
 For the Contour Mill Operation generated for Obround Pocket Group feature, the tool
used to machine the operation will be changed.
 For the Rough Mill Operations generated for the Irregular Slot Features and Obround
Pocket Group feature, the tool parameters will be changed.
Expanding and Collapsing Items in the Tree

1. Click the symbol next to Contour Mill4 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation
tree.
The tree expands to identify the Obround Pocket Group1 as the feature for which the
operation was generated for.
2. To collapse this item, click on the symbol next to Contour Mill4.
You can use either and symbols or the Expand Items and Collapse Items
command on the context menus to view items in the trees.
Steps to change the Allowance for an Operation:

1. In the Operation tree, double click Contour Mill4.
OR
Right click Contour Mill4 and select Edit Definition on the context menu.
2. The Operation Parameters dialog box will be displayed.

Mill Tutorial
3. Click the Contour tab of the Operation Parameters dialog box.

4. In the Side parameters group box, ensure the Allowance is set to 0in.
Setting the Allowance to this value ensures that the pockets are cut to size.
5. Click OK to apply the changes and close the Operation Parameters dialog box.
Steps to change the tool parameters:

1. In the Operation tree, double click Rough Mill2.
OR
Right click Rough Mill2 and select Edit Definition on the context menu.
Rough Mill2 operation is used to rough the Irregular Slot feature on the left side of the
top face of the part.
2. The Operation Parameters dialog box will be displayed. Click on the Tool tab.
3. Click on the Mill Tool page. It displays the parameters of the selected tool. Observe
the Tool Usage value. This value indicates the number of operations currently using
this tool.
The Rough Mill operation for Hole Feature under Mill Part Setup1, Rough Mill and
Contour Mill operations for Irregular Slot2 feature and Rough Mill operation for
Irregular Slot3 feature under Mill Part Setup2 also use this tool.
4. In the Cut Diameter (D1) field, change the diameter to 0.745in.
5. Click the OK button to apply the changes.

Mill Tutorial
Changing Mill Tool Parameters
6. Since this tool is also shared by two other operations, making any changes will affect
those operations too. Therefore, SOLIDWORKS CAM will display a warning
message to this effect and prompt you to choose whether the changes are to be applied
to the other operations or not.
7. Click Change within the message box.
Change: When you click Change within this dialog box, then the changes made to
the tool parameters will affect all other operations sharing this tool.
Add: If you click Add within the warning message dialog box, then
SOLIDWORKS CAM creates a new tool with the changed tool parameters
and lists this tool in the Active Tool crib. This action ensures that the
changes made to the tool parameters will affect only the current operation
and none of the other operations which share the same tool.

Mill Tutorial
Note that irrespective of which option

you choose, the changes made to the tool
parameters are applicable only for
machining of the current part. The
changes made to the tool parameters are
not saved to the Technology Database.
To save the changes made to the tool
parameters in the Technology Database,
you have to execute the Save Operation
Plan command. This functionality is
explained in a later tutorial.
8. In the Operation tree, observe the Rough
Mill operations sharing this tool. Observe
that the diameter of the Flat End tool
given within the brackets now displays
the edited values for all these operations.
Deleting an Operation
In some cases, it may be desirable to delete
operations that are created automatically or
to replace automatically created operations
with interactively inserted operations. In this
tutorial, two operations were automatically Operations sharing the tool
created for the Obround Pocket Group1
feature - Rough Mill operation (Rough Mill4) and Contour Mill operation (Contour
Mill2). The tool that is selected in the Contour Mill operation for this feature can machine
the feature completely. Hence, the Rough Mill operation can be deleted.
Steps to delete an operation:

1. In the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree, right click Rough Mill4 (the roughing
operation for the Obround Pocket Group1) and select Delete on the context menu.
2. SOLIDWORKS CAM will display a warning message asking whether you are sure
that you want to delete the operation and all dependent items. Click Yes to confirm to
deletion.
The operation will be removed from the Operation tree and placed in the Recycle
bin .
Inserting an Operation
The obround pocket group feature is now machined using a single Contour Mill
operation. To give a better finish, you can interactively insert an additional Contour Mill

Mill Tutorial
operation the makes use of a tool with smaller cut diameter which will finish machine the
obround pocket features.
In this tutorial, you will interactively insert an additional Contour Mill operation for
Obround Pocket Group1. This operation will be inserted after the Contour Mill2
operation.
Steps to interactively insert an operation:

1. In the Operation tree, right click Contour Mill2
operation and select Edit Definition to open the
Operation Parameters dialog box.
2. Click on the Contour Tab and in the Side
Parameters group box, set the allowance to
0.05in.
3. Click OK to apply the changes and close the
dialog box.
Setting Allowance value
4. The new Contour Mill operation is to be inserted
after Contour Mill2 operation. Right click Contour Mill2 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Operation tree and select 2.5 Axis Mill Operations >>Contour Mill.
Selecting command to New a 2.5 Axis Operation interactively
5. The New Operation: Contour Mill dialog box will be displayed. Click on the Features
tab.

Mill Tutorial
6. In the Pick from the available list box within this tab, select Obround Pocket Group1
by placing a check in its corresponding checkbox. This action will list the selected
feature group in the Selected Features list box at the top of the tab.
‘Features’ tab of the New Operation dialog box
7. Click on the Tool tab. Within this tab, observe that a 0.25in Flat End Mill tool has been
assigned to this operation. Since this operation finish machines the feature, a tool with
lower diameter needs to be selected. In this tutorial, we will assign a 0.125in tool.
In the Tool list box, observe that there is no Flat End tool with 0.125in tool diameter.
So, the desired tool needs to be added from the Tool Library.
i. Click on the Add New button.
ii. The Tool Select Filter dialog box will be displayed.
iii. For Tool Type, select Flat End.
iv. In the Filter by group box, place a check in the Diameter checkbox. Enter the
lower diameter range as 0in and higher range as 0.25in.

Mill Tutorial
v. From the list of displayed tools at the bottom of this dialog box, highlight a
tool with 0.125in diameter.
vi. Click the OK button.
vii. The selected tool will be listed in the Tool list box.
.
‘Tool’ tab of the New Operation dialog box

Mill Tutorial
8. Click on the Operation tab. In the Options group box at the bottom of this tab, ensure
that the Edit operation on creation option is checked.
‘Operation’ tab of the New Operation dialog box
9. Click the OK button at top left corner of the

dialog box to insert the operation. The Operation
Parameters dialog box for the newly inserted
operation will be displayed.
10. Click OK to close the Operation Parameters
dialog box.
Under Mill Part Setup1, a Contour Mill7
operation is added after Contour Mill4. Contour Mill Operation inserted

Mill Tutorial
Step 6: Defining Program Zero

The Mill Part Setup defines the tool direction as well as the Program Zero. Program zero
can be changed in the Mill Part Setup by selecting a vertex or arc edge, typing in the
origin relative to the SOLIDWORKS zero, identifying a sketch that contains a single
circle, or by picking a stock corner. When selecting a sketch, the center of the circle in
the sketch will be the origin of the Mill Part Setup and program zero. Each Mill Part
Setup can have a different origin.
In this tutorial, you will change the default Program Zero and use a sketch containing a
circle to assign the new Program Zero.
Using a sketch containing a single circle to assign Program Zero

Mill Tutorial
1. Double-click Mill Part Setup1 in the Operation

tree to open the Part Setup Parameters dialog
box.
2. On the Origin tab, select the Sketch option and
then select Setup Origin from the sketch
dropdown list.
3. Click OK to apply the changes made and close
the dialog box.
The circle in the lower left corner of the stock Centre of circle assigned as
Program Zero
is now the Mill Part Setup origin.
Did You Know ...

If you change the Mill Part Setup origin after generating toolpaths, always
regenerate all toolpaths. Otherwise, the post processed output will not be relative
to the new origin.
Step 7: Generate and Simulate Toolpaths

1. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager
OR
Generate Toolpath on the context menu.
The font color of all the operations listed in the Operation tree changes to black
indicating that toolpaths that were generated for all operations.
2. Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager
OR
Simulate Toolpath on the context menu.
3. Click the Run button to simulate the toolpaths.
4. Click the Close button to exit the simulation.

Mill Tutorial
Toolpath Simulation of Mill Part Setup1 Toolpath Simulation of Mill Part Setup2
operations operations
Step 8: Sorting Operations

When the Generate Operation Plan command is executed, operations are created for
each feature in the Feature tree in the order listed. As shown above, operations can also
be inserted manually and deleted. After making these changes, it is possible that the
machining order is not in the most efficient sequence. For example, you may want all of
the roughing done before the contouring, and the hole making operations to be done last.
SOLIDWORKS CAM allows automatic and interactive control over changing the
machining sequence. Using drag and drop, operations can be reordered into an optimized
sequence. However, this could become time consuming for a part that includes dozens of
operations. To make the ordering task easier, SOLIDWORKS CAM provides the Sort
Operations command that sorts operations based on their type, depth and tool. The Sort
Operations command provides an automatic approach.
1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 and select Sort Operations from the context menu.
The Sort Operations
dialog box will be
displayed.
2. On the Process tab,
remove the check
mark from the
Process complete
feature option.
When this option is
checked, all
operations for a given
feature will be sorted
Process Tab of Sort Operation dialog box

Mill Tutorial
and grouped together so that the entire feature is completed before processing other
feature operations. After all feature operations are grouped, the order the operations
are processed will be from highest Z face to lowest Z face.
3. Click on the Sort tab.
This tab shows the order in which the operations will be sorted. Operations can be
sorted based either on the Operation Type or Tool. More information on sorting
operations can be found in the SOLIDWORKS CAM context-based help.
4. In the Sort by dropdown list, select Operation Type. The operation listed in the
Operation tree will be machined in order of their types. You can use the drag and drop
function to sort the order of operation types listed in the Sort by group box.
5. In the Then by dropdown list, select Tool. All the tools used by the various operations
in the selected Mill Part Setup are listed.
When multiple operations of the same operation type have to machined, you can
further sort the operations based on the tool used by the operations. Tools can be
sorted either based on Size or Station number.
6. In the Sort Tools by group box, select the Size option.
When operations are sorted by Tool size, the Mill operations are ordered on the basis
of their tool size from largest to smallest. For single point operations, the tool order is
from the smallest to the largest diameter.
7. Click the Apply button.
This action will sort the operations in the Operation tree according the specified
operation sequence. Within each type of operation, the operations with the highest Z
face will be processed first. If you do not like the order, you can click the Undo button
and change the order or any of the options, then click Apply again to see the results.

Mill Tutorial
Sort Tab of Sort Operations dialog box
Step 9: Simulate Toolpath and Post Process

2. Run the simulation and note the changes.
3. Save the part.
4. Right click Mill Part Setup1 and select Post Process on the context menu.
 The Post Output File dialog box will be displayed.

Mill Tutorial
 If you are running SOLIDWORKS CAM in Demo mode, this dialog box will not
be displayed. Post processing functions works only when you have a valid license
for SOLIDWORKS CAM.
5. Click Save to use the default name for the NC program file.
The Post Process Output dialog box will be displayed.
SOLIDWORKS CAM generates the NC program.
7. Click Cancel to close the Post Process Output dialog box.

Mill Tutorial
Chapter 2: Learning More 2 Axis Mill
This chapter provides an opportunity to learn more about SOLIDWORKS CAM 2 Axis Mill.
The tutorials in this chapter are intended to show you how to use SOLIDWORKS CAM and
may not correspond to actual machining practices.
The tutorial parts are installed when you install SOLIDWORKS CAM and are in the \
SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\CAM Examples\Tutorial_Parts\Mill folder on your
computer. (C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\CAM
Examples\Tutorial_Parts\Mill).
Before you begin with the tutorials given in this chapter, ensure that you are through with the
concepts explained in Chapter 1.
IMPORTANT! SOLIDWORKS CAM uses a set of knowledge-based rules to assign

methodology. When you do these exercises, your results may not be the same as
80 Chapter 2: Learning More 2 Axis Mill

Mill Tutorial
2 Axis Mill 5
 Setting Strategies and Generating Operations
 Sorting and Sequencing Operations
 Machining Island Tops
 Changing the Mill Part Setup Origin
 Combining Operations
Opening the Part and Extracting Machinable Features by AFR

Since this part is rectangular, you do not have to
machine the outside of the part. AFR will find the
holes, bosses, slot, corner slots and open pocket
features.
2. Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature Tree
tab.
3. Double click Machine [Mill–Metric] in the
Feature tree to open the Machine dialog box.
 On the Machine tab, ensure Mill–Metric is the
Active machine.
 Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Tool Crib
2 (Metric) is the Active tool set. MILL2AX_5.SLDPRT
 Click the Post Processor tab; make sure
M3AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
 Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.
Did You Know ...

In both the Feature and Operation trees, instead of right clicking items and
selecting Edit Definition, you can double-click the item to open the dialog box for
editing the Stock Manager, Machine, Setups, Features and Operations.
4. Double click Stock Manager in the tree to open the Stock Manager dialog box.
- Change the Bounding box offsets for X, Y and Z to a uniform 1mm in all directions.
- Leave the Material set to default.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.
Chapter 2: Learning More 2 Axis Mill 81

Mill Tutorial

Command Manager.
- Click the Mill Features tab.
- In the Feature types section, remove the check mark from the Boss option.
- Make sure the Face option is not checked.
- Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.
Command Manager.
Automatic Feature Recognition analyzes
the model and extracts the features to
machine. The Feature tree lists the features
that were found.
 An Open Pocket feature was created
with the three Obround Bosses as
islands. Features recognized by AFR
 The obround pocket on the top face
was recognized.
 The four holes in the boss features were extracted as a group feature since they were
identical in size.
 The three Rectangular Corner Slots were not extracted as a Group Feature because
they are of different sizes.
Did You Know ...
The default machining sequence is based on the order that the machinable features
appear in the list. Using drag and drop, you could rearrange the features so that they
are in the order that you would like them to be machined. However, the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree allows operations to be automatically sorted and
interactively sequenced (as explained below) so it is unnecessary to reorder features.
Setting Strategies and Generating Operations

1. Double click Hole Group1 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
2. In the displayed Hole Parameters dialog box, change the Strategy to Ream.
4. Double-click Open Pocket1 in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
5. In the displayed 2.5 Axis Feature: Select Entities dialog box, click on the Edit Feature
button. This activates the End Condition button.
6. Click on the End Condition button.
7. The 2.5 Axis Feature: End Condition dialog box will be displayed. In the Strategy
dropdown list within the 2.5 Axis Feature group box, select the Rough-Finish Strategy.

Mill Tutorial
This strategy has been programmed to generated a Rough and Contour Mill operation for
the selected feature.
8. Click the OK button to apply the changes and close the dialog box.
9. Click the Generate Operation Plan
button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager.
SOLIDWORKS CAM creates the list of
operations to machine the part. The
operations for the features are
sequenced in order the same order as the
features listed in the Feature tree.
10. Some of the operations will have a
yellow exclamation mark over them
indicating that the tool assigned to those
operations are not from the Tool crib.
RMB on such operation and select
What’s Wrong? on the context menu.
Click the Clear button in the displayed
Error message to get rid of the
exclamation mark. Operations generated using GOP command
Sorting and Sequencing Operations

The machining sequence is based on the order of the operations in the tree. The Rough Mill
and Contour Mill operations for the Open Pocket are listed after the hole operations. You
may not want this order as it isn’t very efficient.
In this tutorial, you will sequence the operations such that all of the roughing is done before
the contouring, and the hole making operations to be done last.
Using the drag and drop functionality to reorder the operations is suitable only when a few
changes need to be made. However, when making numerous changes to the order of the tree,
the Sort Operations command provides an automatic approach.
In this tutorial, the machining sequence will be changed using the Sort Operations command.
Steps to reorder operations using Sort Operations Command:

1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the Operation tree and select Sort Operations in the
context menu.
The Sort Operations dialog box will be displayed.
2. In the Process tab, remove the check mark in the Process complete feature checkbox in
the Options group box.

Mill Tutorial
When this option is checked, the operation sequence will be based on machining each
feature completely before machining the next feature. The features will be sorted from
highest Z to lowest Z.
3. Click on the Sort tab. Select Sort by Operation Type in the dropdown list.
The Sort tab allows operations to be sorted based on either one or two criteria- Operation
Type or Tool. The Sort by list shows
the current order for sorting
operations. The default order is
defined in the Technology Database
and can be modified as required.
4. Click the Apply button to see the
result of the current sorting rules.
The operations in the tree are sorted
according to the order in the list.
5. Click the Undo button to return to
the original order.
6. In this tutorial, you want to sort by
operation type with the Rough Mill New Sorting Sequence
cycles first, Contour Mill cycles
second and then the hole making cycles. To
do this, you can use drag and drop to reorder
the operation list.
- Select Rough Mill in the list and drag it
below Face Mill. Since there is no Face
Mill operation in the operation tree for this
part, positioning the Rough Mill cycle
below Face Mill does not matter.
- Select Contour Mill and drag and drop it
below Rough Mill.
- Ensure that Center Drill, Drill,
Countersink, Bore and Ream operations
are listed below Contour Mill operation
necessarily in the same order as it is given
here.
7. Click the Apply button. The order in the tree
changes to reflect the current operation list. Operations after sorting
8. Click OK to commit the changes and close the dialog box.
The order of the operations in the Operation tree can be further modified using drag and
drop functionality if necessary.

Mill Tutorial
CAUTION!
Be careful when dragging and dropping the operations. Make sure you do not change the
order so that the tools will cause a crash. For example, you could drag the ream
operation in front of the drill operation. SOLIDWORKS CAM assumes that you know what
you are doing and will process the toolpaths exactly the way you have them ordered.
Machining Island Tops

To recap what was explained in the previous tutorials, the Operation Parameters dialog box
allows you access to all the parameters that will be used to machine a feature. You can
change parameters to customize the toolpath that SOLIDWORKS CAM generates to suit
your machining requirements.
Did You Know ...

The parameters that you change in the Operation Parameters dialog box are used
only for the current operation. Other operations and other parts will revert to the
default parameters that are defined in the Technology Database.
In this tutorial, you will change the operation parameters for the Rough Mill operation used
to machine the Open Pocket feature so that the following occur:
- The Pocketing pattern creates parallel lace cuts with the cuts alternating in direction.
Between each lace cut, the tool stays down in the material. (Zigzag pattern)
- The islands within this Open Pocket are faced off.
Steps to activate option for Machining Island Tops:

1. Double click Rough Mill1 (the operation for Open Pocket) in the Operation tree to open
its corresponding Operation Parameters dialog box.
2. Click the Roughing tab in this dialog box.
3. Change the Pocketing Pattern to Zigzag.
This option creates parallel lace cuts with the cuts alternating direction. Between each
lace cut, the tool stays down in the material.
4. In the Pocketing group box, ensure that the checkbox option Machine island top is
enabled so that the islands on the top of the part are faced off.
Changing the Mill Part Setup Origin

SOLIDWORKS CAM creates Mill Part Setups automatically during Automatic Feature
Recognition with the Mill Part Setup depth set to the highest face on the recognized features
and the Mill Part Setup origin is set on the edge of the first recognized feature on the top of
the part.
This Mill Part Setup origin defines the G-code program zero location using the machine
tool's fixture location, Work Coordinates and/or Sub Coordinate offsets. The Mill Part Setup

Mill Tutorial
origin position is based on the SOLIDWORKS origin. You can move the Mill Part Setup
origin to a more useful location for machining.
1. Click on Mill Part Setup1 in the Operation tree.
Notice where the origin is located on the center of the top face of the part. It is in sync
with the SOLIDWORKS origin.
Locating the Mill Part Setup Origin
2. Double click Mill Part Setup1

in the Operation tree in order to
open the Part Setup Parameters
dialog box.
3. In the Origin tab, select the
Stock vertex option.
4. Pick the corner as shown in the
below image.
5. Click OK to apply the changes
and close the dialog box.
6. Click on the Mill Part Setup1
and observe the part in the
graphics area.
The origin of the Mill Part
Setup is moved on the part to
the corner you selected.
Based on the orientation of the
part, selecting a corner in the
Changing Mill Part Setup Origin to a stock vertex
dialog box may not appear to be
the same corner on the part. This is because the model can be rotated to any position in
space.

Mill Tutorial
New Mill Part Setup Origin at selected stock vertex
Combining Operations
Notice that several roughing and contouring operations use the same tool. Similar operation
types that use the same tool can be combined into one operation in order to improve
efficiency.
Steps to combine operations:

1. In the Operation tree, right-click on Mill Part Setup1 in the tree and select Combine
Operations command from the context menu.
The Combine Operation dialog box
will be displayed.
2. Select Rough Mill and Contour Mill
from the list.
3. Ensure that the Regenerate Toolpath
option is checked.
SOLIDWORKS CAM combines
similar Rough Mill operations that
use the same tool. Same applies to
the Contour Mill operations too.
5. Click the next to the Rough Mill1,
Rough Mill3, Rough Mill5 and
Contour Mill1 operations in the Combine Operation dialog box
Operation tree to expand these items.

Mill Tutorial
Observe that the operations which use the

same size tool were combined. Notice that
the order of the operations was maintained.
The rough operations are first, followed by
the contour operations, and finally the hole
operations.
Did You Know ...

After toolpaths have been generated,
if you combine operations and
disable the Regenerate toolpath
option in the Combine Operations
dialog box, you must generate
toolpaths again.
Changing Tool Parameters and Operations after combining

Generating Toolpath
1. Double click Drill1 in the Operation tree.
2. Click on the Tool tab.
3. On the Drill Tool page, change the Overall length to 150mm.
4. On the Mill Holder page, change the Protrusion to 130mm,
dialog box.
6. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager.
OR
Right click the Mill Part Setup1 in the
Operation tree and select Generate Toolpath
in the context menu.
7. Highlight the first operation in the tree, hold
down the Shift key, then highlight the last
operation. This action selects all the
operations and highlights all the toolpaths on
the part in the graphics area.
Toolpaths generated for all operations
Your model should look similar to the figure
on the right.

Mill Tutorial
Simulate Toolpath and Post Process

1. Click on the Simulate Toolpath button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager.
2. Click the Run button on the toolbar to start the
simulation.
3. Click the Return to start button.
4. Click the Turbo mode button, and then click

Run.
5. The simulation does not update the stock until the
simulation is completed. This is the fastest method
for simulation.
6. Click the Close button in the upper right corner
of the Simulate Toolpath toolbar to exit simulation
mode.
7. Right click on the Mill Part Setup1 and select Post
Process on the context menu. Simulate Toolpath
8. The Post Output File dialog box is displayed so you
can name the NC program file.
9. Use either the default file name or type a different name and save the file.
10. Click the Run button in the Post Process Output dialog box to output the G-code file.

Mill Tutorial
2 Axis Mill 6
 Interactively inserting 2.5 Axis Features
 Avoiding Clamps
 Modifying Operation Parameters and Toolpaths
 Customizing Toolpaths
This tutorial involves the machining of a non-rectangular solid part that requires several
features to be interactively inserted.
Opening the Part

Since this part is non-rectangular, a feature to machine the outside of the part has to be inserted.
In addition, a feature will be added to cut the top of the pockets. All machining will be from the
top of the part.
tab.
3. Double click Machine [Mill–Metric] in the
Feature tree to open the Machine dialog box.
 On the Machine tab, set Mill–Metric as the
Active machine.
 Click the Tool Crib tab. In the Available tool
cribs list box, ensure that Tool Crib 2 (Metric)
is the Active tool crib.
 Click the Post Processor tab and make sure MILL2AX_6.SLDPRT
M3AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
 Click OK to apply the changes and close the
dialog box.
Defining Stock using Extruded Sketch

Mill Tutorial
Defining Stock
1. In the Feature tree, double click the
Stock Manager item in the Feature tree.
2. The Stock Manager dialog box will be
displayed.
3. Under Stock Type, click on the

Extruded Sketch button.
4. In the graphics area, pick the sketch
representing the stock.
5. The Stock sketch will be listed in the
Sketch field.
6. Set the Depth to 45mm.

7. If the stock doesn’t extrude in the
correct direction, click the Reverse
Direction button.
Stock Manager Dialog Box
Defining Fixture Coordinate System of the Mill machine

The next step is to define the Fixture Coordinate System of the selected machine. Followingar ethe
steps:
1. In the Feature tree, double click on
the Coordinate System item.
2. The Fixture Coordinate System dialog
box will be displayed.
3. Set the Method to User Defined.
4. In the Origin group box, select the
option Stock bounding box vertex.
5. This action will display all the vertices ? Double-click “Coordinate System” item in the
Feature tree
associated with the stock bounding
box in the graphics area.

Mill Tutorial
6. Select the top corner vertex (highlighted in blue) from the graphics area as shown in the image
below:
7. Click on the OK button to configure the FCS

and close this dialog box.
The Fixture Coordinate System is now
configured.
Automatic Feature Recognition Settings
1. On the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command

Manager, click the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Options button. Fixture Coordinate System Dialog Box
In case this button is not visible on the
Command Manager, click on the Expand view button on the extreme right hand side of the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager. The SOLIDWORKS CAM Options button will be
displayed in the dropdown list.
2. On clicking this button, the Options dialog box will be displayed. Click on the Mill Features tab.
3. Under the Feature Types group box, ensure that the following options are checked:
 Holes
 Non holes
 Face
 Part Perimeter

Mill Tutorial
Extracting Machinable Features

1. On the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager, click the Extract
Machinable Features button.
2. The recognized features will be listed
under the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Feature tree under Mill Part Setup1 and
Mill Part Setup2.
The Face Feature (for the bottom face
of the part), the Perimeter feature, one
Irregular Pocket Feature and a Hole
feature are recognized under Mill Part
Setup1. The remaining features which
can be machined from the top of the
part are listed under Mill Part Setup2. ? Features recognized using EMF command
You can highlight each of these feature
items in the Feature tree to view the corresponding machinable feature in the graphics area.
Renaming Mill Part Setups

1. Right-click Mill Part Setup1 and select Rename from the context menu. Rename it to Bottom
Part Setup.
2. Right-click Mill Part Setup2 and select Rename from the context menu. Rename it to Top Part
Setup.
Rearranging features using Drag and Drop Functionality

1. Under Bottom Part Setup, drag and drop the Face Feature1 item on to the Perimeter-Open
Pocket1 item. This action repositions it under Perimeter-Open Pocket1 so that it is listed as the
second item under this setup.
2. Under Top Part Setup, drag and drop the Face
Feature2 item on to Perimeter-Open Pocket2
in order to reposition it under Perimeter-Open
Pocket2 so that it is listed as the second item
under this setup.
3. Highlight the Bottom Part Setup and drag and
drop it on the Top Part Setup.
4. The renamed and rearranged Mill Part Setups
and their associated features are shown in
adjacent image. Mill Part Setups after renaming

Mill Tutorial
Generating Operations
Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager.
OR
Right click on Top Part Setup and select Generate Operation Plan from the RMB context menu.
The Operations list should look similar to the image below.
Operations generated on executing ‘Generate Operation Plan’ Command
Defining Avoid Areas for Clamps

Rough, Contour and Face Mill operations for 2.5 Axis Mill features can be modified by
specifying Avoid Areas. Avoid areas can be used as a definition for clamps and large holes in the
feature where machining is to be avoided. Avoid areas can be defined from planar or non-planar
model edges and faces, as well as from sketches. Avoid Areas are considered to be islands within
the perimeter and will be machined around leaving material equal to the sum of the Side
allowance and Avoid allowance parameters.

Mill Tutorial
In this tutorial, we will define avoid areas for the Face

Feature and the Perimeter Open Pocket feature listed
under the Top Part Setup to avoid machining the clamps.
Following are the steps:
1. In the Operation tree, right click FaceMill1 under the
Top Part Setup and select New Avoid Area on the
RMB context menu.
The Avoid Area dialog box will be displayed.
2. In the Selection Mode group box:
- Select Adjacent Faces in the Face Selection
dropdown list.
- Select Single Edge in the Edge Selection
dropdown list.
3. In the Allowed Sketches list, select Clamp 1 and Clamp
2 from the list. This action selects these sketches to the
Selected Contours list box.
4. In the Shape group box, select Multiple. This

allows you to create multiple avoid areas from the
selected entities.
5. Click OK at the top left corner of the dialog box to
insert the Avoid Area and close the Avoid Area dialog
box. Avoid Area dialog box
6. Click the ( ) plus sign next to Face Mill1 in the

Operation tree. The Avoid Area will be listed under the
Face Mill operation.
Avoid Area for Face Mill Operation
Copying Avoid Areas from one Operation to another

You can copy avoids to other operations within the same Mill Part Setup. In this tutorial, we will
copy the inserted Avoid Area as the Avoid Area for the Rough Mill operation (Rough Mill1) of
the Part Perimeter feature under Top Part Setup.

Mill Tutorial
Following are the steps:

1. In the Operation tree, expand the Face Mill1 by clicking on the ( ) plus sign adjacent to it.
The Avoid Area will be listed under the Face Mill operation.
2. Highlight Avoid Area1, press the Ctrl key on the keyboard and then drag the Avoid area on top
of Rough Mill1.
If you do not press the Ctrl key while dragging and dropping, then a copy of the Avoid
Area won’t be created. Instead, the Avoid Area will shift from one operation to another.
Avoid area copied from one operation to another
Modifying Operation Parameters before Generating Toolpaths

Before generating toolpaths, we will modify some of the operation parameters. Typically,
choosing parameters for machining is based on personal preference.
Changes to parameters of Face Mill operation
1. In the Operation tree, under Top Part Setup, double click Face Mill1 to open the Operation
Parameters dialog box.
2. Under the Tool Crib page of the Tool tab, click the Add button to select a new tool from the
Tool library.
3. The Tool Select Filter dialog box will be displayed. Leave the Tool type set to Face Mill.
4. In the Tool Database (metric) form at the bottom of this dialog box, select a 100mm diameter
tool and click the OK button.
This action closes the Tool Select Filter dialog box and adds the selected tool to the active
Tool crib. The new tool will listed at the bottom of the Tool Crib grid.

Mill Tutorial
Select 100MM tool from the Tools Database list
5. On the Tool Crib tab, scroll down the list of tools and highlight the 100mm Face Mill tool and
click Select.

Mill Tutorial
Tool Crib page under tool tab
6. Click Yes when SOLIDWORKS CAM displays a warning message indicating whether the
corresponding holder is also to be replaced or not.
Changes to parameters of Rough Mill operation for Part Perimeter Feature

1. In the Operation tree, under Top Part Setup, double click Rough Mill1 in the tree. This is the
Rough Mill operation for the Part Perimeter feature.
2. The Operation Parameters dialog box for this operation will be displayed. On the Tool tab,
click on the Mill Tool page. Change the Flute Length to 20mm.
3. Click on the Roughing tab.
a. In the Pocketing group box, ensure that the Cleanup pass option is not checked.
b. In the Depth Parameters group box, change the Bottom allowance to 4.5mm
The stock has been defined in such a way that the bottom of the part is 5mm off the
bottom of the stock. When machining the Perimeter feature, if the Bottom allowance is
5mm or slightly less, then a skin will remain to hold the part to the clamp.
4. Click on the OK button to apply the changes and close the Operation Parameters dialog box.
5. SOLIDWORKS CAM will display a message indicating that tool parameters have changed.
Click on the Change button within this message box to apply the changes to all other
operations sharing this tool.

Mill Tutorial
Changes to parameters of Contour Mill operation for Part Perimeter Feature

1. Double click Contour Mill1 in the Operation tree. This is the Contour Mill operation for the
Part Perimeter feature.
2. The Operation Parameters dialog box for this operation will be displayed. Click the Contour
tab within this dialog box.
3. By default, the depths of cut will produce multiple contour cuts. In the Depth Parameters
group box:
a. Ensure that the value for the First cut amt. is 50mm.
b. Change the assigned value for Allowance to 4.5mm. (Similar to Rough Mill4, this
Allowance allows the part to remain attached to the stock.)
4. In the Depth processing group box, select the To Depth by region option.
Contour Tab of Operation Parameters dialog box

Mill Tutorial
Changes to parameters of Contour Mill operation for Circular Pocket Feature

1. The default values assigned to the operation parameters for the Circular Pocket feature
produce more cuts than are needed. You can edit the operation and change the values.
2. Double click Contour Mill3. This is the Milling operation for the Circular Pocket.
3. The Operation Parameters dialog box will be displayed. Click on the Contour tab and change
the following parameters:
a. In the Depth Parameters group box, change the First cut amt. to 10mm and Max cut amt. to
10mm.
b. In the Side Parameters group box, click the Settings… button. The Side Parameters dialog
box will be displayed.
c. Change the Cut amt to 10mm.
d. Click OK to apply the changes and close this dialog box.
4. Click the OK button to close the Operation Parameters dialog box.
Changes to parameters of Contour Mill operation for Irregular Pocket Feature

For this operation, the 6 mm Flat End tool will be replaced with a 2mm Flat End tool .
1. Double click Contour Mill4 in the tree. This is the Contour Mill operation for the Irregular
Pocket2 feature. The corresponding Operation Parameters dialog box will be displayed.
2. Click on the Tool tab. Under this tab, click on the Tool Crib page.
3. Scroll through the list of tools in the Active Tool crib and select a 2mm Flat End and click
Select button.
If a 2mm Flat End Mill is not listed in this page, then following are the steps:
a. Click on the Add button within the Tool Crib page.
b. Clicking on the Add button displays the Tool Select Filter dialog box.
c. Set the Tool type to Flat End.
d. In the list of displayed Flat End tools at the bottom of this dialog box, highlight a 2mm tool
and click the OK button.
e. The Tool Select Filter dialog box will close. The selected 2mm Flat End mill tool will be
displayed at the bottom of the list in the Tool Crib page.
f. Highlight the tool and click on the Select button.
g. SOLIDWORKS CAM will display a warning message prompting you to indicate whether
corresponding holder is o also be replaced. Click Yes within this message box to replace
the holder.
4. Click the OK button to apply the changes and close the Operation Parameters dialog box.

Mill Tutorial
Generating Toolpaths
SOLIDWORKS CAM generates the
toolpaths for all operations.
2. Under Top Part Setup, hold down the Shift
key and select the first and last operations in
the tree.
Notice how the toolpath has avoided the All toolpaths avoid the clamp area
clamp areas.
3. Click on the View Orientation

icon and change to the Top view
and notice that the toolpath has not
gone to the bottom of the material
because a Bottom Allowance of 4.5mm
was set for the Rough and Contour Mill
Toolpaths do not go upto the bottom of the material
operations of the Part Perimeter feature.
Simulating Toolpaths
1. In the Operation tree, right-click on the Top Part Setup
and select Simulate Toolpath from the RMB context
menu.
2. Click Run to simulate the tool path.
The result should be similar to the example.
3. Click Close to close the simulation and return to
the model. Simulating the Toolpath
Customizing Toolpaths
In the final part of this tutorial, you will change some of the Mill Part Setup parameters and
operation parameters in order to customize the
toolpaths.
1. Onn the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command

Manager, click the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Options button.
Contour Mill Toolpath

Mill Tutorial
2. The Options dialog box will be displayed. Click the Update tab.
3. Set the Update toolpaths when parameters change option to Never.
5. In the Operation tree, double click on the Contour Mill4 operation under Top Part Setup to open
its Operation Parameters dialog box. (Contour Mill4 is the operation for the irregular pocket
feature.)
6. Click on the Leadin tab.
7. In the Leadin/out point group box, leave the option set to Mid-point.
8. Change the Leadin Type to Perpendicular.
9. Set the Leadin amount to 5mm.
11. Right click on the same Contour Mill4 operation and select Generate Toolpath from the RMB
context menu.
12. Highlight Contour Mill4 operation in the Operation tree. The pierce point displays as a square
marker in the middle of the edge because the
Mid-point option is selected.
13. Rotate the part and notice the Leadin is
perpendicular at the mid-point of the edge.
Notice the SOLIDWORKS origin. You will
use that as the start of the leadin.
14. In the Operation tree, double-click Contour
Mill4 again. Pierce point marker at the middle of the edge
15. In the displayed Operation Parameters dialog box, click the Leadin tab and set the Leadin Type
to None.
16. Click the Feature Options tab.
17. For the Entry Type, use the default Method of None.
With this option, the end mill feeds down in Z at the specified entry point.
18. In the Entry points group box, click in the Entities selected box to set the focus.
19. In the graphics area, rotate the part, if necessary, and pick the SOLIDWORKS origin with your
mouse.
20. Point displays in the Entities selected list box and the X,Y coordinates are specified.

Mill Tutorial
Feature Options tab in Operation Parameters Dialog Box

22. Right click on the same Contour Mill4 operation in the Operation tree and select Generate
Toolpath on the RMB context menu.
The start of the leadin changes to the origin
point that was selected. This acts as a
leadin even though the Leadin Type was
set to None.
23. Right click Mill Part Setup5 in the tree and
select Post Process from the RMB context Leadin is perpendicular at the midpoint of the
menu. edge
24. In the Post Output File dialog box, use either the default file name or type a different name and
save the file. Click the Run button in the Post Process Output dialog box to output the G-
code file. After reviewing the code, click OK to close the dialog box.

Mill Tutorial
2 Axis Mill 7
 Interactively Inserting 2.5 Axis Features
 Inserting Engrave Features
 Generating an Operation Plan and Adjusting Operation Parameters
 Updating Toolpaths for Design Changes
Opening the Part and Recognizing Features Automatically

1. Open the part file MILL2AX_7.SLDPRT in the
following folder.
C:\Users\Public\Public
Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\CAM
3. Double click Machine [Mill–inch] in the Feature
tree to open the Machine dialog box.
 On the Machine tab, set Mill–inch as the Active MILL2AX_7.SLDPRT
machine.
 Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure[Tool Crib2] is the Active tool set.
 Click the Post Processor tab and make sure M3AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected.
4. Double click Stock Manager in the Feature tree. The Stock Manager dialog
box is displayed.
 Leave the Stock Type set to default Bounding box.
 Click OK to use this stock and close the dialog box.
5. Click on SOLIDWORKS CAM Options in the Command Manager to open the
Options dialog box.
6. On the Mill Features Tab,In the Feature types group box, ensure that the Face option is
not selected.
Command Manager.
AFR extracts features to machine and generates the Mill Part Setups needed to machine
these features.

Mill Tutorial
Did You Know ...

Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) can extract perimeter features automatically.
The Mill Features tab in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Options dialog box has an option
to automatically recognize a Part perimeter feature as a boss or open pocket.

In the tutorial, you will edit the Open Pocket feature to machine the top of the flange and
insert features to machine the perimeter of the part and the four corner pockets.
Step 1: Edit the Open Pocket feature to machine only the top of the flange
1. Double click Open Pocket1 in the tree.
The 2.5 Axis Feature: Select Entities dialog box is displayed.
2. Click on the Edit Features button to activate the dialog box to edit the parameters.
3. Click the End Condition button.
4. In the 2.5 Axis Feature: End Conditions dialog box, ensure that the Use Stock extents
option is not checked.
When the Use Stock Extents option is checked, SOLIDWORKS CAM uses the extents of
the stock volume to define open pocket features. In this feature, you want to machine
only the top of the flange. Hence, this option should be remain unchecked.
5. Click OK.
Step 2: Insert a Boss feature to machine the perimeter of the part

1. Right click Open Pocket1 and select 2.5 Axis Feature from the RMB context menu.
2. Select Boss for the Feature Type from the dropdown
list.
3. Make sure the Edge selection is set to Convert to
loop.
With this option selected, when you pick a part
edge, SOLIDWORKS CAM automatically chain
selects all other edges connected to that edge at the
depth. This allows you to pick one edge on the
inside of a face and identify the entire inside loop.
4. Pick the bottom edge of the part.
Inserting Boss feature
Loop<1> is added to the Entities
selected list.
5. Click the End Condition button. If dialog is pinned then after
insertion of feature dialog will remain open.
6. Pick the top face of a flange for the end condition (highlighted in blue).

Mill Tutorial
SOLIDWORKS CAM automatically changes the End condition Type to Upto Face and
calculates the Depth.
7. Click OK to insert the feature.
Observe that Circular Boss1 feature is added below Open Pocket1 in the Feature tree.
Step 3: Insert Pocket features to machine the bottom faces of the four corner
pockets.
Automatic Feature Recognition does not recognize the four irregular corner pockets
automatically. They will be inserted interactively.
1. The 2.5 Axis Feature dialog box is
still open. Change the Feature Type to Pocket.
2. Pick the faces on the bottom of the 4 corner pockets.
Face<15>, Face<19>, Face<23>
and Face <11> are added to the
Selected Entities list.
Click the End
Condition button.
Pick the face on the top of the flange
for the end condition.
SOLIDWORKS CAM automatically
changes the End condition Type to
Upto Face and calculates the Depth.
3. Click OK to insert the pocket features. Irregular Corner Pockets
4. Click Close to exit the dialog box. The

four Irregular pocket features are listed in the tree.
The features will be machined in the order they are listed in the feature tree when you
generate an operation plan.
5. Drag and drop to reorder the features in Mill Part Setup1 so that Open Pocket1 is first
and Circular Boss1is last as shown in the image.

Mill Tutorial
Features in Mill Part Setup 1
Inserting Engrave Features

Engrave features are not recognized by Automatic Feature Recognition. Engrave features
have to inserted interactively. In this tutorial, you will add Engrave features to machine the
text on the part.
1. Right click Mill Part Setup6 (or the Mill Part Setup on the same face as the
SOLIDWORKS CAM text) and select 2.5 Axis Feature from the RMB context menu.
2. In the 2.5 Axis Feature: Select entities dialog box,
select Engrave Feature for the Feature Type.
3. In the Available Sketches list, select SWCAM logo.
4. When SWCAM logo is displayed in the Selected
Entities list, Click the End
Condition button. Engrave Feature on part
5. In the 2.5 Axis Feature: End Conditions dialog box, change the Depth to 0.015, then click
OK.
6. Click Close to exit the dialog box.
Engrave Feature1 is listed in the tree under Mill Part Setup6.
You have now defined all the features and are now ready to generate an operation plan.
Generating an Operation Plan and Adjusting Operation Parameters
1. Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager.
OR
Right click SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager in the tree and select Generation
Operation Plan.
The tree lists the operations that SOLIDWORKS CAM generated for the features in all
the Mill Part Setups.
Adjust tools before generating the toolpaths.

Mill Tutorial
2. Right click Contour Mill2 (the operation for Irregular Pocket1) in the tree and select
Combine Operations from the RMB context menu.
This command allows you to combine and remove duplicate operations.
3. In the Combine Operations dialog box, select the Combine operations option.
When this option is checked, the features machined by operations in the Features or
operations list are machined by the current operation and the original individual
operations for those features are deleted.
4. Hold down the Ctrl key and select the first three operations in the Operations list box.
The selected Contour Mill operations are associated with Irregular Pocket features.
Combined Operations
5. Click the Add button.
The operations are added to the Features or operations list on the right.
Click OK to close
the dialog box.
Contour Mill3,
Contour Mill4 and
Contour Mill5 are
removed from the
tree and the
Irregular Pocket
features are listed
under Contour
Mill2.
6. Double click
Contour Mill2 in
the Operation tree
to open the
Operation
Parameters dialog Selecting a 0.38in Flat End tool from the Tool Crib for an operation
box.
By combining operations for the Irregular Pockets, you have to change the parameters
only once instead of for each operation.
7. Click on the Tool tab. On the Mill Tool page under this tab, make sure the current tool is
a 0.38in Flat End mill.

Mill Tutorial
If a different tool is selected, click the Tool Crib page and select a 0.38in Flat End mill,
click the Select button, then click Yes to replace the corresponding holder.
9. Double click Contour Mill6 of the Mill Part Setup1 in the Operation tree to open the
a 0.5in Flat End mill.
If a different tool is selected, click the Tool Crib page and select a 0.5in Flat End mill,
click the Select button, then click Yes to replace the corresponding holder.
12. Double click Contour Mill8 of the Mill Part Setup1 in the Operation tree to open the
a 0.25in Flat End mill(Center Drill).
If a different tool is
selected, click the Tool
Crib page and select a
0.25in Flat End mill(Center
Drill), click the Select
button, then click Yes to
replace the corresponding
holder.
14. Click OK to apply the
changes and close the
Operation Parameters
dialog box.
15. Look at each Center Drill
operation in the trees and
check the size of the tool
selected by the TechDB by
viewing the Center Drill
Tool page under the Tool
tab of its Operation
Parameters dialog box. Selecting a 0.11in Center drill tool from the Tool Crib for an
The tool for each Center operation
Drill operation should be a #3 HSS 60Deg Center drill with a 0.11in diameter. If a
different tool is listed, then, click the Tool Crib page and select the correct tool in the
Tool Crib.
16. Under Mill Part Setup1 in the Operation tree, double click Contour Mill7 (the Contour
Mill operation for the Irregular Boss1 feature).

Mill Tutorial
17. The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed. Under the Tool tab, click on the Mill
Tool page. Make sure the current tool is a 0.5in Flat End mill.
If it is not, click the Tool Crib tab, select a 0.5in Flat End mill in the Tool Crib, click the
Select button, then click Yes to replace the corresponding holder.
19. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager.
OR
Right click SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager in the tree and select Generate Toolpath
in the RMB context menu.
Associating Machining Information after Design Changes

One of the unique features of SOLIDWORKS CAM is the ability to re-apply, or associate,
machining information to a part after the size or shape of the part has been modified. This
associative action is done through the SOLIDWORKS CAM Rebuild process. Maintaining
this associativity is a complex process and may require user interaction to help reconcile
unresolved associations.
In this tutorial, you will change the size of the four 1.00in diameter holes in the center of the
part.

Command Manager.
2. Click the Update tab and make sure the Generate operations for new features option is
not checked.
When this
option is
disabled, you
can associate
the current
operations for
the hole feature
to the modified
hole geometry
when
Update Tab on the Options dialog box
SOLIDWORKS
CAM rebuilds the machining data.
3. Make sure the Delete rebuilt failed features with operations option is not checked.

Mill Tutorial
When this option is disabled,

all features without operations
that could not be automatically
associated will display in the
Associate Features dialog box.
5. Click the FeatureManager
Design Tree tab.
6. In the graphics area, right
click on one of the 1.00in
diameter holes and select Edit
Sketch on the context menu.
You can view the dimension of
holes.
Editing the diameter of the hole
7. Double click on the 1.00in
dimension in the graphics area and change 1.00in dimension to 1.25in.
8. Click Save the current value and exit the dialog box button to close the Modify
dialog.
9. Click Close dialog box button to close the Dimension dialog box.
10. In the graphics area, right click on the part and select Exit Sketch on the context
menu.
SOLIDWORKS CAM will display a warning message which display the message that
part has changed.
12. Click Full.
If the machinable features from the original part shape cannot be associated automatically
to machinable features created after a model change, both the current and new features
display in the Associate Features dialog box. You can interactively resolve which new
features are associated to current features.
The Message window is displayed and completing the rebuild process. After completion
of the process, the Associate Features dialog box is displayed automatically.
13. Click Hole Group1 in the Current features list of Associate Features dialog box.
When a Current feature is selected, operations used to machine the feature are listed. For
visual confirmation, when a Current feature is selected in the list, a red outline of the
feature displays on the part in the graphics area.

Mill Tutorial
Warning Message
Associate Feature dialog box - Displayed after Rebuild process
14. Click on Hole Group8 in the New features list. The Associate button is enabled.
15. Click the Associate button.
SOLIDWORKS CAM will display a message which prompts you to add, cancel or
replace the existing features.
16. Click the Replace button on the Associate Features message dialog box.
17. Click OK to close the
Associate Features
dialog box.
SOLIDWORKS CAM
replaces the selected
Current feature (Hole
Group1) with the
selected new feature
(Hole Group8) in every
operation that contains
the Current feature and Warning Message
deletes Hole Group1
from the Feature tree.
Did You Know ...
If you click the Add button in the message dialog box, SOLIDWORKS CAM adds the
New feature to all operations for the selected Current feature. The Current feature is
not replaced. Using Add is another method to simplify machining similar features.
18. In the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree, right click Hole Group8 in the Mill Part
Setup1and select Generate Operation Plan on the context menu.
SOLIDWORKS CAM will display a message which prompts you to update or regenerate
the operations.

Mill Tutorial
19. Click the Regenerate button in

the message dialog box to
generate new operations for the
feature.
Based on information in the
TechDB for the 1.25in diameter
hole, operations will be applied
to the feature in addition to a
Drill operation.
20. Click the Generate Toolpath button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager.
OR
Right click SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager in the tree and select Generate Toolpath
in the RMB context menu.
21. If necessary, adjust the tool for the Drill and Contour Mill operations for Hole Group8
and regenerate the toolpaths.
Simulation Toolpath
OR
Right click SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager in the tree and select Simulate Toolpath in
the RMB context menu.
2. On the Simulate Toolbar, make sure the Tool Mode button is selected.
3. Set the following display options:
 Stock: Shaded with Edges

 Tool: Shaded with Edges
 Tool Holder: Shaded with Edges
 Target part: No Display
 Tool: Ignore Collision
 Tool Shank: Ignore Collision
 Tool Holder: Ignore Collision
4. Click the Run button to start the simulation.
5. Click the Goto Start button.

Mill Tutorial
6. Change the Tool Holder button to

Tool Holder to Cut Collision to activate
this function.
When you select this button, if the
holder interferes with the stock, the
simulation shows material being
removed by the holder.
7. Run the simulation again and notice
that the drill holders gouge the part.
8. You can select a longer drill tool to Simulation Toolpath
eliminate the gouges.
Changing the color of Simulation Toolpath

operations
You can modify the simulation color per
operation.
1. Select an operation or multiple operations in
the Operation tree by using Ctrl key.
2. Right click on any one operation and select
Simulation Color on the context menu.
3. In the Simulation Color dialog box, click
Edit and choose a different color for
selected operation.
dialog box.
Selected Rough Mill operation
Simulation Color dialog box

Mill Tutorial
2 Axis Mill 8
 Extracting Machinable Features and Generating Operations
 Specifying a Tool Overlap on Open Air Segments
 Using an Avoid Area
 Defining Rapid and Clearance Planes
Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the Machine and Stock
2. Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature
Tree tab.
3. Double click the Machine [Mill-inch]
in the Feature tree to open the Machine
dialog box.
 On the Machine tab, highlight Mill–
inch as the Active machine.
 Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure
Crib 2 is the Active tool set.
 Click the Post Processor tab and make
sure M3AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected. MILL2AX_8.SLDPRT

4. Double click Stock Manager in the Feature tree. The Stock Manager dialog box is
displayed.
 Leave the Stock Type set to default Bounding box.
 Click OK to use this stock and close the dialog box.
Step 2: Extracting Machinable Features and Generating Operations

Command Manager.
Automatic Feature Recognition creates the Mill Part Setups necessary to machine all

Mill Tutorial
of the machinable features that are

recognized.
In order to machine the open profile on the
right side of the part with a keyway cutter,
you would interactively insert the features
as explained in
“Technology Database tutorials”.
2. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the tree and
select Generate Operation Plan from
the context menu.
Note that if you click the Generate
Operation Plan button on the
SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager, operations will be generated
for all Mill Part Setups. For this tutorial,
you will only need the operations in
Mill Part Setup1. The operations are listed
in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation tree.
3. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the Operation
tree and select Generate Toolpath from the
context menu.
Features Recognized by EMF Command
Step 3: Specifying a Tool Overlap on Open Air Segments

When machining an Open Pocket, Slot, Corner Slot or Face Feature, the Feature Options tab
in the Operation Parameters dialog box allows
you to specify how much to overlap the air
segment edges for 2 Axis Rough and Contour
operations. The amount is specified as a percent
of the tool diameter up to 150%.
1. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the Operation
tree, select Set View, and then select Setup XY
from cascading menu.
2. Left click Rough Mill3 in the Operation tree
Overlap at 75% of tool diameter
and zoom in on the toolpath to see the

Mill Tutorial
open slot.
The toolpath for the Rectangular Slot was generated with the overlap set at 75% of the
tool diameter.
3. Double click Rough Mill3 to open the Operation Parameters dialog box.
4. Click the Feature Options tab.
5. In the Air segment offset group box, change the % Tool diameter to 100.
dialog box. Notice: Overlap
increased
7. Right click Rough Mill3 in the Operation tree
and select Generate Toolpath from the
context menu and notice the on the open side
of the slot.
8. Zoom to fit the complete part in the

graphics area.
Overlap at 100% of tool diameter
Step 4: Using an Avoid Area

After rough and contour toolpaths have been generated, you can add avoid areas. Avoid
areas can be used as a definition for clamps and large holes in the feature where machining is
to be avoided.
1. Click on the View Orientation and
change the view to Front View .

2. Left click Rough Mill4 or the applicable
operation for the large pocket in the center of
the part and notice the toolpath.
3. Right click Rough Mill4 and select New
Avoid Area from the context menu.
Rough Mill4 operation to machine the

Irregular Pocket
4. In the Avoid Area dialog box, select Avoid Area in the Available sketches list. This
sketch represents the perimeter of the drafted pocket.

Mill Tutorial
Optionally, the Offset option allows you to offset the avoid area.
5. Click OK to close the dialog

box.
6. Click the plus sign ( ) next to Rough
Mill4.
The avoid area is identified as Avoid Area1.
If you want to delete an avoid area,
highlight it in the tree and press the Delete key
on the keyboard.
7. Right click Rough Mill4 and select Generate toolpath from the context menu.
Note that the toolpath now avoids the selected sketch.
Toolpaths avoid the selected sketch
Step 5: Defining Rapid and Clearance Planes

For 2Axis mill operations, the definition of Rapid and Clearance planes can be done locally
within each operation or globally from the Mill Part Setup level.
In this tutorial, you will define the Rapid plane at a global level.
1. Double click Rough Mill1 in the tree.
2. Click the NC tab, make sure in the Rapid Plane and Clearance Plane group boxes, the
Use Setup Definition options are not checked.
The operations generated for this part all use the default settings that defined for this
operation in the Technology Database. When the Use Setup definition option is not
checked, you can select a different method to define the Rapid and Clearance plane Z
depth.
3. In the Rapid plane group box, check the Use Setup Definition option.

Mill Tutorial
The method and depth change to the current setting for the Setup and the options are
grayed out.
5. Right click Rough Mill1 and select Generate toolpath from the context menu to
regenerate the toolpaths.
6. Double click Contour Mill1 to open the Operation Parameters dialog box.
7. On the NC tab, check the Use Setup Definition in the Rapid plane section, and then click
OK.
8. Right click Contour Mill1 and select Generate toolpath from the context menu to
9. Double click Mill Part Setup1 in the Operation tree. The Part Setup Parameters dialog
box is displayed.
10. Click on the NC Planes tab.
The options on this tab provide methods for identifying the Rapid and Clearance plane
locations for all operations generated for 2 and 2.5 Axis features in a Mill Part Setup.
11. In the Rapid Plane is above dropdown list, select Top of Stock in the list.
12. Set the Distance to 1in and click OK.
This value is the distance above the specified location that defines the Z value of the
Rapid plane.
Part Setup Parameters dialog box
13. The warning message is displayed which ask for permission to change the setup
definition.
14. Click Yes.

Mill Tutorial
15. Right click Mill Part Setup1 and select Generate Toolpath from the context menu.
The toolpaths are regenerated based on the changed setting for the Rapid plane.

Mill Tutorial
2 Axis Mill 9
 Defining Features Interactively
 Inserting Linear Pattern Feature
 Inserting Sketch-Driven Pattern Feature
Open the Part and Defining the Machine and Stock

2. Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree tab.
3. Double click on the Machine [Mill–metric]
in the Feature tree to open the Machine dialog
box.
 On the Machine tab, ensure Mill–metric is
selected as the Active machine.
 Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Tool
Crib 1(metric) is the Active tool set.
 Click the Post Processor tab and select MILL2AX_15.SLDPRT
M3AXIS-TUTORIAL as the active post processor.
 Click OK to apply the changes and close the Machine dialog box.
4. Double click on the Stock Manager item in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
 Leave the stock type set to default Bounding box.
 Click OK to use the default stock.

In this tutorial, you will learn the process of how you can simplify the creation of multiple
features by defining one feature and then inserting a Pattern feature to array it to other
positions. The toolpath generated for Pattern features is generated only once on the original
feature and copied to each position, which reduces the calculation time.

Command Manager.

Mill Tutorial
Features Recognized by EMF command
AFR found an Irregular Corner Slot and a Hole feature. The Pocket features need to be
defined interactively. One pocket feature will be
defined and it will be duplicated using the Pattern
feature.
2. Right click Hole1 in the Feature tree and select 2.5
Axis Feature from the context menu.
3. In the 2.5 Axis Feature: Select Entities dialog box,
set the Feature Type to Pocket.
4. Pick Sketch2 in the list. The sketch is highlighted on
the part in the graphics area.
5. Pick Upto Stock for the End condition. Interactively inserting pocket
SOLIDWORKS CAM automatically calculates the feature
Depth.
6. Click OK, and then click Close to close the dialog box.
The Irregular Pocket1 feature is added to the Feature tree.
7. Right click Irregular Pocket1 in the tree and select Generate Operation Plan from the
context menu.
The Operation tree lists the Rough Mill and Contour Mill operations that SOLIDWORKS
CAM generated for this feature.
When you insert the Pattern feature, the toolpaths generated for this feature will be
automatically copied to each position. You can generate the operations and toolpaths
before or after you insert a Pattern feature.

Mill Tutorial
Creating a Pattern Feature

In this tutorial, you will insert the Pattern feature using the Linear Pattern and Sketch Driven
Patterns.
Inserting a Pattern Feature (Linear Pattern)

2. Right click Irregular Pocket1 in the tree and select
Pattern, and then select Create Pattern.
3. The New Pattern dialog box is displayed. In this
dialog box, select Linear Pattern for the Type.
4. Pick one of the horizontal edges of the part for
the X direction as shown in image below.
5. Click the Reverse Direction button, if
necessary, to point the arrow in the correct
direction as shown in the image below.
Direction
Edge for X direction Arrow
Defining Pattern in Horizontal Direction New Pattern Dialog Box
6. Type 25mm for the incremental distance between features instances.

7. Type 6 for the Number of instances. The feature instances in the X direction display
on the part as shown in right side image.
8. In the Direction 2 section, click in the direction box to set the focus, then pick one of
the vertical edges of the part for the Y direction as shown in the image below.
9. Click the Reverse Direction button, if necessary, to point the arrow in the correct
direction.

Mill Tutorial
Direction Arrow
Edge for Y Direction
Defining Pattern Feature in vertical direction
10. Type 40mm for the incremental distance between features instances.
11. Type 2 for the Number of instances. The feature instances in the Y direction display
on the part as shown below.
12. Click in the Instances to skip box to set the focus. Blue points display on each
instance as shown in the below image.
13. Move the pointer over the point for the instance on the top right of the part until it turns
white, then click. The instance is removed and the point changes to red.
Selecting the instance within the Pattern Feature which is to be skipped
14. Click OK to close the dialog box. Pattern1-Irregular Pocket1 is listed in the Feature
tree.

Mill Tutorial
15. Click each operation in the Operation tree. Notice the toolpaths have been copied to each
instance.
Inserting a Pattern Feature using a sketch (Sketch-driven Pattern)
2. Right click Pattern1-Irregular Pocket1 in the tree, select Pattern, then select Remove
Pattern.
3. Click Yes to confirm you want to remove the Pattern feature.
The Pattern feature is removed. The original feature, Irregular Pocket1, and associated
operations and toolpaths are not deleted.
4. Right click Irregular Pocket1 in the Feature tree and select Pattern, and then select
Create Pattern.
5. In the New Pattern dialog box, select Sketch Driven
Pattern for the Type.
6. Pick Sketch Pattern in the list of Available valid
sketches.
This box lists 2D sketches that contain arcs, circles or
point entities. A 2D or 3D sketch can also be
Sketch pattern consists of
graphically selected. While the sketch can contain any points on each of the pockets
entity type, only the center point of circles, arcs or point
entities will be used to define the
pattern feature locations.
The Sketch Pattern sketch consists of
points on each of the pockets.
7. Notice that the pattern is not in the
correct position on the part. The point
on the pocket at the bottom right
identifies the point on the sketch that
is the reference point for the feature.
The default is the first point in the
Sketch-driven Pattern at incorrect position
sketch. When this point is not correct,
you can change it.
8. Click the Move to previous and
Move to next buttons to select the sketch
point that positions the pattern correctly.
9. Click OK to insert the Pattern feature.
10. Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Operation Tree tab. Notice the toolpaths
have been copied to each instance.
Sketch-driven Pattern Feature

Mill Tutorial
2 Axis Mill 10
 Defining Features Interactively
 Inserting Circular Pattern Feature
 Inserting Sketch Driven Pattern Feature

C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKSCAM\.s\Tutorial_Parts\Mill
tab.
3. Double click Machine [Mill-inch] in the
Feature tree to open Machine dialog box.
 On the Machine tab, ensure Mill–inch is the
active machine.
 Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Crib
1 is the active tool set.
 Click the Post Processor tab and make sure MILL2AX_16.SLDPRT
M3AXIS-TUTORIAL is selected as the active post
processor.
 Click OK to apply the changes and close the Machine dialog box.
4. Double click on the Stock Manager item in the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
 Leave the stock type set to default Bounding box.
 Click OK to use the default stock.

In this tutorial, you will learn the process of how you can simplify the creation of multiple
features by defining one feature and then inserting a Pattern feature to array it to other
positions. The toolpath generated for Pattern features is generated only once on the original
feature and copied to each position, which reduces the calculation time.
Command Manager.
OR

Mill Tutorial
Right click SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager and select Extract Machinable Features
from the context menu.
AFR has found a Hole Group feature (Hole Group1). The Pocket features will be defined
interactively. One pocket feature, along with its associated operations and toolpaths, will
be defined and then a Pattern Feature will
be inserted to array it to other positions.
2. Right click Hole Group1 in the Feature
tree and select 2.5 Axis Feature from the
context menu.
3. Set the Feature Type to Pocket.
4. Make sure the Check for taper & fillets
option is checked. Pick the highlighted blue colored bottom
face of the Pocket
5. Pick the highlighted blue colored face at
the bottom of the pocket on the right side of the part.
6. Click the End
Condition button.
7. Click the top face of the part to set the End
condition to Upto Face.
8. Click the Auto detect button in the 2.5 Axis
side wall group box.
9. Click OK.
10. Click Close to close the 2.5 Axis Feature
dialog box.
Observe that Rectangular Pocket1 is Pick the top face to set the depth
inserted in the feature tree.
Define the 2.5 Axis feature for the circular pattern

1. Right click Rectangular Pocket1 in the
Feature tree and select 2.5 Axis Feature from
the context menu. The 2.5 Axis Feature:
Select Entities dialog box is displayed.
2. Set the Feature Type to Pocket.
3. Make sure the Check for taper & fillets option
is checked.
4. Pick the highlighted blue colored face at the
bottom of the pocket on the left side of the
part. This action selects the face in the Pick the highlighted blue colored
Selected Entities list. bottom face of the pocket

Mill Tutorial
5. Click the top face of the part to set the End condition to Upto Face.
6. Click the Auto detect button in the 2.5 Axis side wall group box. This action detects the
tapers and fillets.
7. Click OK, and then click Close to close the dialog box.
Observe that Irregular Pocket1 is listed in the Feature tree.
Creating a Pattern Feature

In this tutorial, you will insert the Pattern feature using the Circular Pattern and Sketch
Driven Patterns.
Inserting a Circular Pattern Feature
1. Right click Irregular Pocket1 in the tree and select Pattern, then select Create Pattern.
2. In the New Pattern dialog box, select Circular Pattern for the Type.
3. Pick the top edge of the hole to define the rotation

axis.
Defining Pattern Feature in vertical
4. By default, four instances of the pocket are rotated

at 360 degrees around the axis.
5. Ensure that the number of instances is set to 4. New Pattern dialog box
(Irregular Pocket)
Inserting a Sketch-Driven Pattern Feature

1. Right click Rectangular Pocket1 in the tree and select Pattern, then select Create Pattern
from the context menu.
2. In the New Pattern dialog box, select Sketch Driven Pattern for the Type.

Mill Tutorial
3. Select Circular Sketch in the list of Available valid

sketches.
4. This box lists 2D sketches that contain arcs, circles or
point entities. A 2D or 3D sketch can also be
graphically selected. While the sketch can contain any
entity type, only the center point of circles, arcs or point
entities will be used to define the pattern feature
locations. In this tutorial, the 2D sketch named Circular
Sketch consists of points on each of the pockets.
5. Notice that the pattern is not in the correct position on
the part. The point on the pocket at the bottom identifies
the point on the sketch that is the reference point for the
feature. The default is the first point in the sketch. When
this point is not correct, you can change it.
6. Click the Move to previous button to select the New Pattern dialog box
sketch point that positions the pattern correctly. (Rectangular Pocket)
Incorrect location of Sketch-Driven Correct location of Sketch-Driven

pattern pattern
7. Click OK to insert the Pattern feature. Pattern2-Rectangular Pocket1feature is added

to the tree.
Manager.
OR
Right click SOLIDWORKS CAM NC Manager in the tree and select Generation
Operation Plan from the context menu.
The tree lists the operations that SOLIDWORKS CAM generated for these features.
9. Click the plus sign next to each operation in the tree and notice the operations have
been generated only for the original features, not each for instance in the Pattern features.
11. Click the operations to view the toolpaths.

Mill Tutorial
When you insert the Pattern feature, the toolpaths generated for this feature will be
automatically copied to each position. You can either generate the operations and
toolpaths before or after you insert a Pattern feature.

Mill Tutorial
For More Practice

The following tutorial exercises provide a chance for you to practice using SOLIDWORKS
CAM. Instead of the detailed steps in the previous exercises, only a brief description of the
procedure is included.
Part1 for Practice

Since this part is rectangular, you do not have to machine the outside of the part. AFR will
find the holes and the pocket.
 Open the part file MILLP1.SLDPRT in the \SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS
CAM\Examples\Tutorial_Parts\Mill folder.
 Change to the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.
 Use the default ‘Machine [Mill–metric]’, post processor and active Tool Crib.
 You can use the default bounding box for
the stock.
 Click the Extract Machinable Features

button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager.
 Double click the Hole Group1 feature.
Change the Strategy to Ream.
 Click the Generate Operation Plan button
on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager.
 Click the Generate Toolpath button on the
 Right click on the Mill Part Setup and
MILLP1.SLDPRT
select Simulate Toolpath from the context
menu. Run the simulation.
 Click the Post Process button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager and
generate the NC code.
Part2 for Practice

Since this part is rectangular, you do not have to machine the outside of the part. AFR will
find the holes, bosses, slots, pocket and corner slots.
 Open the part file MILLP2.SLDPRT in the \SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\ CAM
Examples\Tutorial_Parts\Mill folder.
 Change to the SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature tree.

Mill Tutorial
 Use the default ‘Machine [Mill–metric]’ machine, post processor and active Tool Crib.
 Double click Stock Manager in the tree. Change the Bounding box offset for X, Y and Z
to a uniform 1mm.
 Click the Extract Machinable Features button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM

Command Manager.
 Double click Hole Group2 in the tree. Change the Strategy to Ream.
 Click the Generate Operation Plan button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager
 Using the Sort Operations command, reorder to the operations so that the Rough Mill
operations are first, followed by the Contour
Mill operations and finally the hole operations.
 Right click on the Mill Part Setup and select
Combine Operations to merge operations that
use the same tool.
 In the Combine Operations dialog box, select
the Rough Mill, Contour Mill and Center Drill
options.
 Click the Generate Toolpath button on the
 Click the Simulate Toolpath button on the
MILLP2.SLDPRT
Make sure the Tool Holder Cut Collision
button is selected, then run the simulation. Notice the holder collides with the part.
 Double click Rough Mill1 in the Operation tree. On the Mill Holder tab, change the
Protrusion to 65mm.
This parameter defines the distance from the tip of the tool to the bottom of the holder.
This value is used to determine how much of the tool protrudes from the mill holder
during simulation. The protrusion length must be greater than the Flute length and less
than the Overall length.
 Simulate the toolpaths again to see the difference. This time the holder clears the part.
 Click the Post Process button on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager and
generate the NCcode.

Mill Tutorial
Chapter 3: Learning 3 Axis Mill
This chapter provides an opportunity to learn 3 Axis Mill through a step by step hands-on
tour of the features and functions.
We recommend that you go through the tutorials in Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 first. In
addition to learning how to generate 2 axis mill toolpaths, these tutorials explain basic
functions and procedures that are used to generate both 2 and 3 axis mill toolpaths and NC
code.
The tutorial parts are installed when you install SOLIDWORKS CAM and are in the
\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\CAM Examples\Tutorial_Parts\Mill folder.
(C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\CAM
Examples\Tutorial_Parts\Mill).
The tutorials in this chapter are intended to show you how to use SOLIDWORKS CAM for 3
Axis Mill operations and may not correspond to actual machining practices.
IMPORTANT! SOLIDWORKS CAM uses a set of knowledge-based rules to assign

methodology. When you do these tutorials, your results may not be the same as
Chapter 3: Learning 3 Axis Mill 133

Mill Tutorial
3 Axis Mill 1
 Inserting a Mill Part Setup & creating a Multi Surface Feature
 Generating Area Clearance toolpaths
 Using Contain area to selectively machine within specified areas
 Generating and Z Level toolpaths
 Using Avoid Area to selectively machine within specified areas
 Defining user-defined limits to selectively machine specific areas
 Generating Flat Area toolpaths

Define the Machine

1. Double click Machine [Mill-inch] in the Feature tree
to open the Machine dialog box.
2. On the Machine tab, Mill–inch is the Active machine.
3. Click the Tool Crib tab and make sure Crib 1 is the
Active tool set.
4. Click the Post Processor tab and make sure M3AXIS- MILL3AX_2.SLDPRT
TUTORIAL is selected.
5. Click OK to close the Machine dialog box.
Define the Stock

1. Double click Stock Manager in the tree.
2. In the Stock Manager dialog box, click the
Extruded Sketch button.
3. In the graphics area, pick the rectangular sketch
that represents the stock. This action selects the sketch
to the Selected Entity field.
4. Click the Reverse Direction button.
134 Chapter 3: Learning 3 Axis Mill

Mill Tutorial
5. Set the Depth to 1.3in, and then click OK to apply the changes and close the
dialog box.
Inserting a Mill Part Setup and Creating a Multi Surface Feature
Steps to insert the Mill Part Setup and create a Multi Surface Feature:
1. Right click the Stock Manager and select New Mill Part Setup from the context menu.
The Mill Setup dialog box is dispalyed.
2. In the graphics area, pick the top of one of the rounds cone as
shown in the figure.
This action selects the face to the Selected entity field.
3. Make sure the Face option under New Features group box is not
checked.
The Mill Part Setup1 is inserted in the Feature tree. Pick the top face of the
cone
5. Right click the Mill Part Setup1 in the tree and select New
Multi Surface Feature from the context menu.
The New Multi Surface Feature dialog box will be displayed.
6. In the Strategy dropdown list, select Area Clearance, Z Level.
7. Under Face Select Options, click the Select all faces button.
8. Click OK to insert the feature.
The Multi Surface Feature1 is now listed in the Feature tree.
Did You Know ...
When you define Multi Surface features for 3 Axis operations (except 3 Axis Rough
and Finish), the most reliable results are usually obtained by picking all model faces
as Faces to Cut. Using Faces to Avoid is not recommended. If you need to restrict
machining to specific areas, use the New Contain and New Avoid commands at the
operation level.
Generating Area Clearance Toolpaths

Generate Operations and Toolpaths
Manager.
2. Double click Area Clearance1 in the Operation tree.
The Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed.
3. Click the Tool tab, then select the Tool crib page.

Mill Tutorial
4. Highlight a 0.375in Flat End mill and click the Select button.
5. Click Yes to replace the corresponding holder.
6. On the Pattern tab, set the Pattern type to Lace.
7. On the Area Clearance tab, within the Depth Parameters group box:
- Set the Method to Constant
- Set the Cut amount to 0.2in.
8. On the Links tab:
- In the Depth Processing group box,
select the option To depth by region
for the Depth processing.
- In the Corners group box, select
Round for Type and set the Max radius
and Part deviation to 0.0375in.
9. On the Entry/Retract tab:
- Select Skim for the Retract Method
- Set the Max. Ramp angle to 20deg.
10. Click OK to apply the changes and close Toolpath generated for Area Clearance
the Operation Parameters dialog box. operation
Inserting Contain Areas to Selectively Machine Areas

Depending on the machining requirements, you may want to insert a contain area to rough
only the top of the part:
1. Double click Area Clearance1 in the tree.
2. On the Advanced tab, change the Automatic
contain area Method to Outer Silhouette.
With this method, the XY shape of the
contain area is based only on an outer XY
silhouette of the faces to cut in the Multi
Surface feature.
dialog box.
Be default, the Update 3 axis toolpaths
Contain area to rough only the top of the part
when parameters change option on the
Update tab in the Options dialog box is set to Prompt. When this option is set to Prompt,
if you click the OK button of any Operation Parameters dialog box after changing its
parameters, then a message is displayed asking if you want to regenerate toolpaths. Click

Mill Tutorial
Yes. If the option in the Options dialog box is set to Always, SOLIDWORKS CAM
automatically regenerates the toolpaths. If set to Never, then you need to manually
execute the Generate Toolpath command on the context menu.
4. Click Yes when prompted to regenerate the toolpaths. If you click no, the toolpaths will
be generated when you execute the Generate Toolpath command.
Did You Know ...
For 3 Axis operations (except 3 Axis Rough and Finish), the XY extents will be within
a contain area while machining over and around the faces and surfaces in the Multi
Surface feature. The contain area can be defined either automatically on the
Advanced tab in the Operation Parameters dialog box or interactively using the New
Contain Area command.
The priority is to observe the XY shape of any interactively defined contain areas. If
interactively defined contain areas are suppressed or not defined, then an
automatically generated XY contain area will be used.
Steps to rough machine only the cavities of the part:

You may want to rough only the cavities. Following are the steps:
1. Right click Area Clearance1 in the tree
and select New Contain Area from the
context menu.
2. The Contain Area is displayed. In the
Selection Mode group box, set the Edge
Selection to Constant Depth Loop.
3. Click in the Selected Contours list box to
set the focus.
4. In the graphics area, pick a top edge on
each cavity as shown in the image on right.
Loop<1> and Loop<2> are displayed in Selecting Edges of the cavities
the list box. SOLIDWORKS CAM
automatically chain selects all other edges
connected to that edge at a constant depth.
5. Click Multiple to set the Shape.

6. Click OK to insert the Contain area.
7. Click Yes, if SOLIDWORKS CAM displays a
warning message asking if you want to
8. Double click Area Clearance 1 in the tree. The Contain area toolpaths to machine only
the cavities of the part
Operation Parameters dialog box is displayed.
9. On the Pattern tab, change the Pattern Type to Pocket Out.

Mill Tutorial
10. On the Links tab, in the Corners group box, set the Offset deviation to 0.0375in.
12. Click Yes, if SOLIDWORKS CAM displays a warning message asking if you want to
13. Right click Mill Part Setup1 in the tree
and select Set View, then pick Setup XZ
in the cascading menu.
14. The view of the part in the graphics area
changes. Click the Area Clearance1
operation in the tree and notice the
amount of material at the bottom of the
cavities.
SOLIDWORKS CAM provides a
Variable & Flats method, which inserts Amount of material left in the cavities
additional cuts in the toolpath at a Z
location equal to the Allowance above
any flat face between the top and
bottom of the surface. These flat faces
may define ledges or island tops.
When this option is selected, the
distance between tool passes varies
based on the settings for Min. cut
amount, Max. XY stepover, and Level
accuracy.
15. Double click Area Clearance1 in the
Operation Tree. Additional levels of cuts in the toolpath using the
Variable & Flats method
16. On the Area Clearance tab, change the
Depth Parameters Method to Variable & Flats, set the Min. cut amount to 0.05in.
18. Click Yes if SOLIDWORKS CAM displays a warning message asking if you want to
19. Notice the additional levels with respect to the previous settings.
Generating Z Level Toolpaths

The Z-Level cycle is a surface finish contouring cycle that removes material by making a
series of horizontal planar cuts. The cuts follow the contour of the surface at different levels.
Cutting starts from the highest location on the model and works down. Z-Level has unique
characteristics that make it appropriate for steep walled areas. This cycle is generally not
used on parts with flat or near flat faces.

Mill Tutorial
Steps to insert a Z-level operation:

1. Right click Area Clearance1 in the tree and select New 3 Axis Mill Operation from the
context menu. Select Z Level from the cascading menu.
2. The New Operation dialog box is displayed. Highlight Multi Surface Feature1 in the
Features list.
3. Make sure the Edit Operation on creation option is checked.
4. Click OK to insert the operation.
Since the Edit operation on creation option was checked, the Operation Parameters
dialog box for the newly inserted Z Level operation is displayed.
5. Click the Tool tab and then on the Tool Crib page. Highlight a 0.25in Ball Nose tool, then
click the Select button.
If a Ball Nose tool of this diameter is not available, click on the Add button and use the
Tools Database form to add the requisite
tool to the Tool Crib.
6. Click Yes to replace the corresponding
holder.
7. On the Z Level tab, in the Depth
Parameters group box, set the Cut amount
to 0.08in.
8. On the Links tab, make sure that the Depth
processing option is set to To depth by
region.
9. On the Entry/Retract tab, use Skim for the
Retract Method. In the Ramping group
box, and set the Max. ramp angle to 20deg. Toolpaths for Z Level operation
10. Click OK to apply the changes and close
the dialog box.
11. Click Cancel to close the New Operation dialog box.
13. If SOLIDWORKS CAM didn’t display a message prompting you to regenerate the
toolpaths (Step 12), then right click Z
Level1 in the Operation tree and select
Generate Toolpath from the context
menu.
Toolpath for Z Level operation with Avoid Area

Mill Tutorial
Inserting an Avoid Area to Selectively Machine Areas

Depending on machining requirements, you may want to cut around only the outside of the
part.
1. Right click Z Level1 in the Operation tree and select New Avoid Area from the context
menu.
The Avoid Area dialog box is displayed.

2. In the Selection Mode group box, set the Face Selection to Single Face.
3. Click in the Selected Contours list box to set the focus. Pick the top face of the part.
This action lists the top face in the Selected Contours list box.
4. Click OK to insert the Avoid Area.
6. If such a warning is not displayed, the right click Z Level1 in the Operation tree and select
Generate Toolpath from the context menu.
Using User-defined Limits to Machine Specific Areas

Following are the steps to insert a Z Level operation and limit the toolpath to cut around the
cones with a tapered tool:
1. Right click Z Level1 in the tree and select New 3 Axis Mill Operation from the context
menu. Select Z Level from the cascading menu.
2. The New Operation dialog box is displayed. Highlight Multi Surface Feature1 in the
Features list.
3. Remove the check mark from the Use TechDB Defaults option. In the Copy from
dropdown list, select Z Level1.
4. Make sure the Edit Operation on creation option is checked.
5. Click OK to insert the operation. Bottom edge
Top edge
The Operation Parameters dialog box
for the newly inserted operation is
displayed.
6. Click on the Tool tab and then click on
the Tool Crib page.
7. Pick a 0.25in Flat End Tapered tool
and click the Select button.
8. Click Yes to replace the corresponding
holder. Pick the top edge of Pick the bottom edge
the cone of the cone

Mill Tutorial
If a Flat End Tapered tool of this diameter is not available, click on the Add button and
use the Tools Database form to add the requisite tool to the Tool Crib.
9. On the Tapered Tool page, make sure the Taper angle is 10deg.
10. Click the Z Level tab.
11. In the Limits group box, for the First cut from option, select User Defined.
12. Click the Pick Point button.
13. The Define Point dialog box is displayed. Pick the top edge of one of the cones, then
click OK to close the dialog box.
14. In the Limits group box, for the Last Cut at option, select User Defined.
15. Click the Pick Point button.
16. The Define Point dialog box is displayed. Pick the bottom edge of the cone and then click
OK to close the dialog box.
17. Click OK to close the Operation Parameters dialog box.
You do not need to change any other
parameters since you copied the
parameters from the previous operation.
18. Click Cancel to close the New
Operation dialog box.
19. Observe that the toolpath was not
generated for the Z Level2 operation
(indicated by the still magenta color of the
Z Level2 item in the operation tree). This
is because when the parameters of Z
Level1 operation was copied to Z Level2,
the contain and avoid areas associated Z level toolpath to cut around the cones with
with that operation were also copied. a tapered tool
20. Left click the plus sign next to Z Level2 in the tree.
21. Right click Avoid Area2, select Delete on the context menu. Click Yes to confirm.
22. Right click Z Level2 in the Operation tree and select Generate Toolpath from the context
menu. The toolpath for this operation is successfully generated. Only the area around the
cones is cut.
23. Right click Z Level2 in the tree and select Simulate Toolpath on the context menu.
24. Click Run. The tapered tool cuts around the cones.
25. Click the Close button to exit the simulation.

Mill Tutorial
Generating Flat Area Toolpaths

You can use a Flat Area operation to machine the flat areas on this part. The Flat Area cycle
uses a roughing pattern to remove material on the Z-levels of flat faces between the top and
bottom of the surface. SOLIDWORKS CAM generates toolpaths on completely flat areas.
Note that you could also interactively define 2.5 Axis features for the flat areas, then
generate 2 Axis operations.
Steps to insert a Flat Area operation:
1. Right click Z Level2 in the Operation tree
and select New 3 Axis Mill Operation from
the context menu. Select Flat Area from
the cascading menu.
2. The New Operation dialog box is
displayed. Highlight Multi Surface
Feature1 in the Features list.
3. Make sure the Edit Operation on creation
option is checked.
4. Click OK to insert the operation.
5. The Operation Parameters dialog box for Toolpath for Flat area operation
the newly inserted operation is displayed.
Click the Tool tab in this dialog box and then select the Tool Crib page.
6. Highlight 0.375in Flat End tool in the Tool crib and click the Select button.
7. Click Yes to replace the corresponding holder.
8. On the Links tab, for the Depth processing, make sure that the To depth by region option
is selected.
9. On the Entry/Retract tab, use Skim for the Retract Method, use Ramp for the Ramping
Method, set the Max. Ramp angle to 20deg.
12. Click Cancel to close the New Operation dialog box.
13. If SOLIDWORKS CAM didn’t display a message prompting you to regenerate the
toolpaths (Step 12), then right click Flat Area1 in the Operation tree and select Generate
Toolpath from the context menu. SOLIDWORKS CAM generates toolpaths on the flat
areas.

Mill Tutorial
3 Axis Mill 2
For 3 Axis operations, the XY extents will be within a contain area while machining over
and around the faces and surfaces in the Multi Surface feature. The contain area can be
defined either interactively using the New Contain Area command or automatically on the
Advanced tab in the Operation Parameters dialog box as shown in this tutorial.
The priority is to observe the XY shape of any interactively defined contain areas. If
interactively defined contain areas are suppressed or if none have been defined, then an
automatically generated XY contain area will be used.

 Understanding the differences between the various Automatic Contain Area methods
Open the Part

1. Open the part file MILL3AXII_5.SLDPRT in the following folder.
2. Click the SOLIDWORKS CAM Operation Tree tab.
An Area Clearance operation and Z Level operation have already been generated for the
Multi Surface feature.
Using Automatic Contain Areas

Stock Method
1. Double click Z Level1 in the Operation tree.
2. Click on the Advanced tab. In the Automatic contain area group box, notice that the
Method is set to Stock.
When you use this method, the XY shape of the contain area is based on the original
stock shape. If the stock shape is defined from a sketch and the current Setup is normal to
the sketch, the contain area will be the same as the sketch. Otherwise, the contain area
will be based on the minimum XY bounding box of the stock.
OR
Right click the Z Level1 operation in the tree and select Generate Toolpath from the
context menu.

Mill Tutorial
OR
Click on the Generate Toolpath button
on the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager.
5. In the FeatureManager design tree,
position the pointer over the Stock
sketch item.
The Stock shape is represented by the
rectangular colored sketch.
Bounding Box Method Automatic Contain Area set to ‘Stock’

Method is set to Bounding Box.
With this method, the XY shape of the contain area is based on the minimum XY
bounding box of the faces in the Multi Surface feature. The bounding box is based only
on the Faces to Cut in the Multi Surface feature.
3. Click OK to close the Operation
4. Click Yes if SOLIDWORKS CAM
displays a warning message asking if you
want to regenerate the toolpaths.
OR
Right click the Z Level1 operation in the
tree and select Generate Toolpath from
the context menu.
OR
Click on the Generate Toolpath button on
the SOLIDWORKS CAM Command
Manager.
5. In the FeatureManager design tree, Automatic Contain Area set to ‘Bounding
position the pointer over the Bounding Box’
Box sketch item.
The Bounding Box is represented by the rectangular colored sketch.

Mill Tutorial
Outer Silhouette Method

Method is set to Outer Silhouette.
With this method, the XY shape of the contain area is based only on an outer XY
silhouette of the Faces to Cut in the Multi Surface feature.
OR
Right click the Z Level1 operation in the tree and select Generate Toolpath from the
context menu.
OR
Click on the Generate Toolpath button
on the SOLIDWORKS CAM
Command Manager.
5. In the FeatureManager design tree,
position the pointer over the Outer
Silhouette sketch item.
The sketch is displayed on the
perimeter of the top face represents the
Outer Silhouette.
Automatic Contain Area set to ‘Outer

Silhouette’
All Silhouettes Method
Method is set to All Silhouettes.
With this method, the XY shape of the contain area is based on an XY silhouette of Faces
to Cut in the Multi Surface feature. The silhouette will include the outer shape of the
faces as well as any internal shape based on through features. The internal silhouette
areas will be treated automatically as avoid areas.

Mill Tutorial
3. Click OK to close the Operation

4. Click Yes if SOLIDWORKS
CAM displays a warning
message asking if you want to
OR
Right click the Z Level1
operation in the tree and select
Generate Toolpath from the
context menu.
5. In the Feature Manager
design tree, position the pointer
Automatic Contain Area set to ‘All
over the All Silhouettes sketch
Silhouettes’
item.
Internal Silhouette for the
The displayed sketch represents through feature
the outer silhouette of the
Selected Faces in the Multi Surface Feature and the internal silhouette for the through
feature.

Mill Tutorial
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.
LEGAL NOTICES 147

Mill Tutorial
 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.
 © 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.
148 LEGAL NOTICES

Mill Tutorial

Uploaded by

Document Informationclick to expand document informationMill Tutorial

Document Informationclick to expand document information

Copyright:

Available Formats

Mill Tutorial

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Mill Tutorial

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Cover Page

Product Name: SOLIDWORKS CAM 2019

CHAPTER 1: LEARNING 2 AXIS MILL BASICS ............................................................... 7

Step 1: Opening the Part and Defining the Machine ....................................................46

Inserting a Circular Pattern Feature .......................................................................... 128

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics

IMPORTANT! SOLIDWORKS Cam uses a set of knowledge-based rules to assign

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 7

Generate operation Yes

Transmit file into CNC

8 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics

Step 1: Model Part in SOLIDWORKS or Import Part

Viewing the FeatureManager Design Trees

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 9

Items under the Feature

Step 2: Change to SOLIDWORKS CAM Feature Tree

SOLIDWORKS CAM Machining Trees

10 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics

SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager

Customization of SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager

Command Manager is a context-sensitive toolbar that can be dynamically updates based

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 11

Alternative Access to SOLIDWORKS CAM Commands

SOLIDWORKS CAM Context-based Help

Step 3: Define the Machine

Define the Machine

Did You Know ...

12 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 13

14 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics

Step 4: Define the Stock

Step 5: Define Machinable Features

 Interactively Created Features

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 15

Did You Know ...

Defining machinable features automatically:

General Tab of SOLIDWORKS CAM Options dialog box

16 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics

 Insert 2.5 Axis and Multi Surface features

Did You Know ...

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 17

Defining Features Interactively

18 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics

on the Mill Features tab in the Options dialog box.

Step 6: Generate Operation Plan and Toolpath

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 19

20 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics

Message indicating What’s wrong with the selected Operation

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 21

Did You Know ...

Display tab of Options dialog box

Generate Toolpath Command

22 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics

Step 7: Adjusting Toolpath Parameters

Edit toolpath parameters:

Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics 23

Roughing tab of Operation Parameters dialog box

24 Chapter 1: Learning 2 Axis Mill Basics