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CAMWorks for SolidWorks - x64
| Version | Price & Buy |
|---|---|
| 2025 SP3 for SolidWorks 2024-2025 | |
| 2024 SP5 for SolidWorks 2023-2025 | |
| 2023 SP5 for SolidWorks 2022-2024 | |
| 2022 SP5 for SolidWorks 2021-2023 | |
| 2021 SP5 for SolidWorks 2020-2022 | |
| 2020 SP5.0 for SolidWorks 2019-2021 | |
| 2019 SP5.0 for SolidWorks 2018-2020 | |
| 2018 SP5 for SolidWorks 2017-2019 | |
| 2017 SP3 for SolidWorks 2016-2018 | |
| 2016 SP2.1 for SolidWorks 2015-2016 |
What Is CAMWorks 2025?
CAMWorks 2025 is feature-based CNC programming software built directly into SOLIDWORKS that automatically recognizes machinable features from your 3D CAD model and generates optimized toolpaths. Instead of manually programming each operation, CAMWorks analyzes your part geometry and instantly creates machine-ready code with collision avoidance and automatic updates whenever your design changes.
The software works as a single-file solution where your CAD geometry and machining operations remain unified. This means when an engineer modifies a dimension or feature in SOLIDWORKS, CAMWorks automatically regenerates affected toolpaths—no manual reprogramming required. The 2025 version adds machine component visualization during simulation and expanded capabilities for multi-spindle turning and complex chamfer operations.
How Does CAMWorks 2025 Reduce Machine Downtime?
Machine crashes represent some of the highest-cost downtime in CNC production. CAMWorks 2025 prevents these crashes through real-time collision detection combined with complete machine visualization during toolpath simulation. You can see your exact machine configuration—loaded turrets, spindle heads, work-holding devices—during the simulation process, catching interference problems before code ever reaches the shop floor.
Machine Component Visualization
The Display Components toolbar lets you toggle machine parts on and off during step-through simulation, helping you verify clearances in crowded setups where turrets might interfere with clamping fixtures or spindle heads might clip subspindles. The new Reset Machine Data button in 2025 lets you quickly revert to factory configurations if you've built custom setups, eliminating accidental errors from leftover test data.
Advanced Collision Detection
- Tool and machine component collision detection with visual feedback
- Machine state verification before each operation begins
- Loaded turret display prevents spindle head and clamping interference
- Step-through simulation catches edge cases in complex mill-turn setups
- Immediate notification if proposed toolpath creates unsafe conditions
What Makes Feature-Based Machining in CAMWorks Faster?
Feature-based machining works fundamentally differently than traditional CAM systems that require you to manually sketch or select each operation. CAMWorks recognizes standard machinable features—holes, pockets, slots, faces, and bores—directly from your part geometry. You provide only high-level parameters like tool access direction and feed rates, and the software handles the tedious programming work.
The speed advantage multiplies when designs change. In traditional workflows, design modifications often require extensive reprogramming because the CAM system doesn't understand the original design intent. CAMWorks uses associative machining to track relationships between features. Modify a hole diameter in SOLIDWORKS and CAMWorks automatically recalculates and repositions the drilling operation with the correct tool and speeds—no manual intervention needed.
Automatic Feature Recognition
For turning operations, CAMWorks 2025 introduces customizable turn feature recognition. You control which features trigger automatic programming through checkboxes for cutoff operations, sub-spindle attributes, and face feature patterns. This prevents unnecessary operations while capturing the features you actually need to program.
| Programming Aspect | Traditional CAM | CAMWorks Feature-Based |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Setup | Manual selection of each surface and feature | Automatic recognition of machinable features |
| Design Changes | Manual reprogramming of affected operations | Automatic toolpath regeneration for modified features |
| Feature Relationships | No understanding of design intent or dependencies | Tracks feature relationships and updates cascading operations |
| Programming Time | 45+ minutes for complex parts with multiple operations | 8-12 minutes with established feature libraries |
Associative Machining for Design Changes
Associative machining saves programming time by automatically regenerating toolpaths when design changes occur. Design changes trigger automatic toolpath updates across affected operations, eliminating the manual work of selecting features and recalculating speeds and feeds.
- No manual selection needed for common features like holes, pockets, and bores
- Modify parameters in SOLIDWORKS and CAM updates instantly
- Reduces human error from missed or re-sequenced operations
- Programmers spend time on complex setups instead of repetitive code generation
Practical example: A pump housing normally requires 45 minutes to program manually with 12 drilling operations, 8 pocket operations, and sequential part flipping. With CAMWorks, selecting the part orientation and defining cutting tool libraries generates the complete program in 8 minutes. When the customer requests thicker walls requiring deeper pockets, the programmer updates the CAD dimension and CAMWorks recalculates all affected pocket depths and feeds automatically.
How Does CAMWorks 2025 Integrate with SOLIDWORKS?
CAMWorks 2025 operates as a Dassault Systèmes-authorized Partner Gold Add-in for 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS, meaning it functions as an extension rather than a separate software package. This integration eliminates the disconnection that occurs when CAD and CAM systems exist separately. Your part geometry, design history, and machining operations all exist in one SOLIDWORKS file.
The single-file approach solves persistent collaboration problems. Design teams can't accidentally program outdated geometry because there's only one geometry source. Manufacturing engineers see real-time design changes immediately rather than waiting for exported CAD files. If the design revisions during production planning, the CAM programmer simply opens the updated SOLIDWORKS file and regenerates affected operations.
For organizations using 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS cloud environments, CAMWorks 2025 provides full collaboration support. Multiple team members can access shared part files simultaneously, and manufacturing can pull real-time design updates rather than managing multiple file versions across email and shared drives.
| Integration Advantage | Workflow Impact | Business Value |
|---|---|---|
| Single-file CAD/CAM environment | No file exports or imports needed | Eliminates manual file management and version control errors |
| Automatic geometry linking | Design changes instantly reflect in CAM | Reduces programming rework from design modifications |
| 3DEXPERIENCE authorization | Cloud collaboration for distributed teams | Manufacturing accesses real-time design data without email delays |
| Design feature history available | CAM decisions based on design intent | Programmers understand why features exist, not just their dimensions |
| Parametric relationships preserved | Modify dimension once, updates cascade through CAM | Reduces errors from forgetting secondary dependent operations |
What Are the Key Applications for CAMWorks 2025?
Multi-Spindle Mill-Turn Machining
Multi-spindle mill-turn machining represents one of the most complex programming scenarios in CNC manufacturing. Swiss-type automatic machines and mill-turn centers coordinate multiple spindles, turrets, and work-holding stations simultaneously. CAMWorks 2025 includes an expanded Sync Manager that displays all synchronized operations grouped by turret and spindle-turret combinations. This visualization prevents the coordination errors that cause misaligned holes, broken tools, or crashed spindles when operation sequences conflict.
Complex Chamfer Operations
Complex chamfer operations that involve angle variations or multiple tool geometries typically require extensive manual programming. CAMWorks 2025 now supports Ball Nose, Hog Nose, and Lollipop tool chamfering with bottom-to-top contour milling, plus specialized bar break chamfering for part ejection. The software automatically applies appropriate tool orientation and feed adjustments for each tool type rather than requiring separate manual calculations.
Long Production Runs with Repeated Part Families
Long production runs with repeated part families benefit dramatically from feature-based programming. Once you establish parameters for your standard hole patterns, pocket depths, and facing operations, CAMWorks remembers these preferences across similar parts. Threading operations, collet work-holding setups, and tool library selections carry forward to new jobs, compressing programming time from hours to minutes for similar work.
Tight-Tolerance Finish Operations
Tight-tolerance finish operations like deep cavity pockets or precision-ground bore finishes require careful toolpath planning. CAMWorks 2025 lets you specify tool access directions and tool orientation constraints, ensuring finish passes approach faces from correct angles and follow optimized spiral patterns rather than less efficient raster patterns.
How Does CAMWorks 2025 Simplify Setup and Work Holding?
Setup time directly impacts your hourly production cost. CAMWorks 2025 includes expanded work-holding device libraries in the Technology Database, letting programmers specify collet sizes, vise positions, and part-loading orientations during programming rather than discovering setup conflicts during first-article runs. The software displays these fixtures during simulation, confirming clearances between clamping devices and cutting tools.
Tool orientation specifications for mill-turn operations prevent ambiguous programming instructions that send operators searching through multiple work-holding options at machine startup. When your programmer specifies "top turret, nose tool holder, 0-degree clearance," the CNC setup is clear and repeatable. This precision eliminates the setup variation that causes first-article scrap or safety incidents.
Collet library management simplifies tool selection across different job setups. Rather than every programmer maintaining separate tool preferences, the centralized Technology Database ensures consistent feed rates and tool geometries for repeated operations. This standardization reduces tool breakage from incorrect speed selection and improves surface finish consistency across different machines running your programs.
- Visual display of work-holding devices prevents clamping and tool interference
- Pre-configured tool libraries reduce programmer decision-making
- Clear tool orientation specifications eliminate first-article setup confusion
- Standardized feeds and speeds reduce tool breakage and scrap
- Collet size specifications captured in program for precise operator execution
Frequently Asked Questions About CAMWorks 2025
Does CAMWorks 2025 require separate CAM software or extra licenses?
CAMWorks 2025 functions as an integrated SOLIDWORKS add-in, so you need only SOLIDWORKS installed on your computer. The single integration eliminates the complexity and cost of maintaining separate CAM software licenses or learning different user interfaces. Your SOLIDWORKS investment extends directly into manufacturing.
Can CAMWorks automatically update toolpaths when I change my design?
Yes, this is the associative machining feature that distinguishes CAMWorks from traditional CAM systems. Modify any dimension, hole location, or feature pattern in your SOLIDWORKS model and CAMWorks recalculates all affected operations automatically. The software recognizes feature relationships and adjusts feeds, tool positions, and operation sequences without programmer intervention. You verify the updated program before release to the CNC machine.
How does CAMWorks prevent tool collisions and machine damage?
CAMWorks 2025 includes collision detection that checks every tool position and rapid movement against your machine's exact geometry including loaded turrets, spindle heads, and work-holding fixtures. During simulation, you can visually see the machine in operation and toggle machine components on and off to verify clearances. If any toolpath creates a collision, the software highlights the problematic operation and suggests corrections.
What types of machining operations does CAMWorks 2025 support?
CAMWorks handles milling, drilling, turning, boring, threading, and combination mill-turn operations. The 2025 version adds chamfer support with multiple tool types and enhanced multi-spindle coordination. The software works with 2-axis through 5-axis milling configurations plus mill-turn centers with dual spindles and turrets.
Is CAMWorks suitable for production shops running multiple similar parts?
CAMWorks excels in production environments where work repeats or closely mirrors previous jobs. Feature-based programming means your first program takes normal development time, but subsequent similar parts program dramatically faster because CAMWorks remembers feature parameters and tool preferences. Production shops typically see programming time decrease 40-60% once established feature libraries mature for their standard part families.