SOLIDWORKS CAM & Machinist Matrix

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Compare SOLIDWORKS CAM and Machinist Packages


SOLIDWORKS CAM software is available in two different packages: CAM Standard and Professional. SOLIDWORKS Machinist is available in two different packages: Machinist Standard and Professional. Learn more about the features included in each version below.

Categories and Features

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Rules-Based Machining

SOLIDWORKS CAM uses rules- based machining to enhance the programming process while leveraging tolerances that were assigned to components. Rules-based machining lets you focus on the critical areas of making a part rather than touching every feature that needs to be machined.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
Rules-Based Machining is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
Rules-Based Machining is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
Rules-Based Machining check-box SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Rules-Based Machining is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Tolerance-based Machining (TBM)

Tolerances and annotations in 3D models are used to automatically create machine programs. TBM automatically adjusts asymmetric tolerances to mean tolerances for cutting tool strategies.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
Tolerance-based Machining (TBM) is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
Tolerance-based Machining (TBM) is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
Tolerance-based Machining (TBM) is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Tolerance-based Machining (TBM) is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Knowledge-Based Machining (KBM)

KBM is like have a machinist at your fingertips. Once features are identified by automatic or interactive feature recognition, KBM defines machining strategies and tools to best machine the geometry. Using these rules will automatically allow you to define repeatable machining processes based on your company standards.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
Knowledge-Based Machining (KBM) is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
Knowledge-Based Machining (KBM) is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
Knowledge-Based Machining (KBM) is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Knowledge-Based Machining (KBM) is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Associativity with SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD

Any change made to a design in SOLIDWORKS CAD is automatically updated, applied, and reflected in SOLIDWORKS CAM.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
Associativity with SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
Associativity with SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
Associativity with SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Associativity with SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR)

Recognize certain types of geometry (holes, pockets, bosses, and turn–Professional only) not only as CAD features. Automatic feature recognition allows prismatic parts to be identified at a feature level based on machinable shapes.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Automate Machine Times

Automate machine time calculation and compare it to traditional methods for ensuring all aspects of a part are accounted for ahead of time before committing to production.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
Automate Machine Times is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
Automate Machine Times is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
Automate Machine Times is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Automate Machine Times is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
3 + 2 Programming

SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional can employ a machining technique where a three-axis milling program is executed with the cutting tool locked in a tilted position using the five-axis machine's two rotational axes.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
3 + 2 Programming is not included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
3 + 2 Programming is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
3 + 2 Programming is not included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
3 + 2 Programming is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
High-Speed Machining (HSM)

SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional HSM using VoluMill technology maintains constant tool pressure throughout the cutting process. The variable feed rate allows the tool to cut at full depth to shorten cycle times while extending machine and tool life. This best-in- class machining routine works with standard cutting tools to lower overhead cost when machining components.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
High-Speed Machining (HSM) is not included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
High-Speed Machining (HSM) is included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
High-Speed Machining (HSM) is not included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
High-Speed Machining (HSM) is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Turning Capabilities

SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional has turning capabilities that include face rough and finish, rough and finish turn, groove rough and finish, rough and finish bore, cut-off, ID and OD threading, and drill, and tap on center.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
Turning Capabilities is not included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
Turning Capabilities is not included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
Turning Capabilities is not included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Turning Capabilities is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Part Modeling/Import

Part modeling and import is the foundation of programming in a digital world. Creating and importing parts allows the user the ability to communicate with designers, read MBD data and make necessary manufacturing adjustments. Because it is SOLIDWORKS, it is easy to use and learn.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
Part Modeling/Import is not included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
Part Modeling/Import is not included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
Part Modeling/Import is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Part Modeling/Import is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Professional
Assembly Modeling/Import

Assemblies take our components to the next level by allowing us to check fits and tolerances plus explain to manufacturers how we want to build our products. By using assemblies for manufacturing, we can import clamps and vises to make sure our parts are made the first time correctly and provide the necessary clearances to be able to remove the finished product when it is completed.

SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
Assembly Modeling/Import is not included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard
SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
Assembly Modeling/Import is not included in SOLIDWORKS CAM Professional
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
Assembly Modeling/Import is not included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard
Assembly Modeling/Import is included in SOLIDWORKS Machinist Standard

Additional Resources

SOLIDWORKS CAM Data Sheet

SOLIDWORKS CAM

Learn more about the benefits and capabilities of SOLIDWORKS CAM software.

View Data Sheet

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