Then I learned about Power’By and I knew I had no more excuses-I had to dive into 3DEXPERIENCE. This app was starting to sound pretty darn good. More of the core technology is exposed to the user, giving more complete control over toolpaths and toolpath simulation. An important difference, however, is that the 3DEXPERIENCE implementation presents the NC programmer with more buttons to push and levers to pull. I was relieved to learn that the underlying technology that powers CAMWorks and SOLIDWORKS CAM is also utilized in the Shop Floor Machining app. I can’t program parts in my sleep, but I would be lying if I said CAMWorks has never appeared in my dreams at night. Programming parts is almost muscle memory at this point: Automatic Feature Recognition > Generate Operation Plan > Generate Toolpath and tweak from there. With 10 years of CAMWorks (and later SOLIDWORKS CAM) experience behind me, it is difficult to imagine using anything else.

Other apps powered by DELMIA NC technology can handle just about any machining task, including 9+ axis mill/turn machines and 6-axis robotic arms. Quick note: NC Shop Floor Programmer is the entry-level role for machining in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Armed with these apps, I could program advanced 3-axis milling machines (including 2.5-axis machines, of course) and both 2- and 4-axis wire EDM machines. The two apps pertinent to my interests were Shop Floor Machining and Wire EDM Machining. The NC Shop Floor Programmer role includes the following apps: In other words, I needed an awesome CAM experience.Īnd fairly recently, I discovered a role that has the potential to thrust me into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform permanently: NC Shop Floor Programmer. I needed a role that delivered functionality that was undeniably better than what I had access to in SOLIDWORKS, and which was pertinent to my specific type of work. Resolved not to become an “old dog” in the industry, I have been searching for the right entry into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. So far.īut I know my apprehension toward change has stunted my growth and could (if it hasn’t already) be the beginning of a skills gap between myself and my competition. Half my time in CAD is spent programming CNC machines and because of SOLIDWORKS CAM and CAMWorks I have been able to do everything I need to in the SOLIDWORKS desktop program. Between the apps and the roles, the PLM backbone and the cloud UI, I have repeatedly found myself retreating to my comfort zone: SOLIDWORKS.įrom one perspective, this is a testament to the power of SOLIDWORKS. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that I want to use 3DEXPERIENCE, but I’m just a little (or maybe a lot…) overwhelmed by the platform. With fascination, I have watched my coworkers push-pulling models in 3D Sculptor and generating incredibly complex models in XGenerative Design, but only dabbled in using the tools myself. Like a lot of SOLIDWORKS users, I have been observing the 3DEXPERIENCE platform mostly from afar.

Camworks lathe