Siemens PLM Software
NX CAM for machinery
Optimized NC programming for machinery and heavy equipment
Benefits Summary • Chip control
• Effectively program any NX™ CAM software redefines manufactur-
• Coolant access
type of machinery part ing productivity with a full range of NC
programming capabilities optimized for • Traverses and engages
• Program faster
machinery parts that can be configured by
• Tool life
• Reduce air cutting purchasing selected modules or complete
bundles of applications depending on your • Multiple orientations on production
• Automate programming of
requirements. This fast and highly accurate fixtures
common tasks
machining solution offers automated, con-
• Work on solid, surface or text-specific functions that simplify the
wireframe models generation of smart tool paths for prismatic
parts. Advanced programming capabilities
• Maintain safety around
that are necessary for machinery parts are
fixtures and assemblies
available with milling, drilling, turning,
• Handle changes quickly mill-turn and wire EDM applications.
with associative tool paths
Challenges in the production of machin-
• Easily edit models as ery components
needed for optimal NC Machinery components can require multi-
programming ple setups, complicated fixturing and are
often machined in small to medium batch
• Simulate programs in the
sizes. Effective cutting makes the differ-
programming system
ence between profit and loss. The
machining process must eliminate any
unneeded motion and account for: NX CAM provides advanced programming capabili-
ties optimized for machinery parts.
www.siemens.com/nx
NX
NX CAM for machinery
Features NX CAM addresses the need for careful representing the uncut material for the
• 21⁄2 D volume-based milling control over tool motion with several levels most efficient cuts.
of user control. At the same time, powerful
• Multi-stage in-process
automation tools provide quick program-
workpiece
ming for standard features, part families
• Full range of milling, and even multiple parts arranged in
turning, holemaking and fixtures.
wire EDM machining
Program prismatic parts faster
• Synchronous technology
Volume-based 2.5D milling
• Feature-based machining You can program faster by working in the
(FBM) context of machinery parts with the new
volume-based programming framework.
• Integrated machine tool
simulation
• Postprocessing and Post
Builder
• Shop documentation Multi-stage machining tracks in-process material
from station to station.
Multiple part programming
NX CAM 9 delivers powerful, streamlined
multi-part machining. It speeds the devel-
opment of various tombstone and fixture
configurations, distributing tool paths to as
Instant visual preview drives the volume-based many components as required. Complete
2.5D milling process. machining sequences and tool paths devel-
Quickly program prismatic parts (the faces oped for one workpiece can be immediately
to be machined are perpendicular or paral- distributed to the other workpieces in other
lel to the tool axis) by simply specifying the positions and orientations.
volumes to be machined. The new volume-
based 2.5D milling processor lets you select
floors and walls, and then NX CAM calcu-
lates the machining volume so you can
easily specify the optimum machining pro-
cess. The instant visual preview of the
machined area helps you quickly validate
your programming decisions. The system
continuously keeps track of uncut material
and minimizes air-cutting, reducing
machining time up to 10 percent.
Multi-stage machining and in-process
workpieces
Efficient production of machinery compo-
nents requires the ability to machine
components in several stations, tracking
Machine multiple parts easily by distributing tool
the in-process workpiece (IPW) all along the
paths to your different workpieces
way so that motion is efficient and air cuts
are eliminated. Blank models follow the
part from one station to the next,
NX
Full range of NC programming capabili- In addition, NX CAM provides several spe-
ties – all in one system cial milling process for milling of holes and
bosses. With these cutting options you can
Face milling
mill holes into solid material or clean up
Solids-based face milling automatically
holes and bosses in near net shape compo-
respects part and fixture boundaries while
nents. Threads can be milled internally or
efficiently clearing faces. Multiple depths
externally.
are provided as necessary in heavier stock.
Turning
Pocketing
NX CAM provides a complete solution for
NX CAM roughs any generalized 3D shape
turning, including multi-turret and multi-
with intelligent multi-level volume removal
spindle turning centers. It performs OD and
patterns and automatically cuts levels cor-
ID programming for turning centers and
responding to horizontal faces. Area
vertical turret lathes. Face, turn, bore and
clearing patterns include zig, zig-zag, part
groove operations are supported for rough-
offsets, blank offsets and trochoidal for
ing and finishing cuts.
high speed machining (HSM).
You can cut efficiently with turning opera-
Profiling
tions that always track cut and uncut
Solids-based profiling automatically under-
material. Teach mode provides step-by-step
stands material side, providing the
motion instructions with a few mouse
appropriate engages and retracts with cut-
clicks. You can configure left or right
ter compensation. Multiple passes and
handed tools and specify the holder and
multiple depths are stock sensitive.
insert as part of a tool assembly.
Boundary cutting
Mill-turning
You can trace boundaries the traditional
NX CAM makes it easy to program mill-
way with either edges or wireframe ele-
turns, with a full spectrum of both milling
ments. You can specify offsets,
and turning capability. Multiple spindles
compensation and other factors for bound-
and multiple turrets are supported along
ary elements. These boundaries serve as
with the availability of live tooling on the
the basis for either single-trace cuts or area
turrets. Even multi-axis milling techniques
clearing patterns.
are supported, since any milling operation
Hole making can be applied to a mill-turn application if
NX CAM supports hole cycles directly and the machine will support it.
even provides user-defined cycles for your
Multi-channel synchronization helps shrink
more demanding hole-making needs.
cycle times for multi-channel machines
Turned and mill-turned components
(multiple milling or drilling heads on the
are examples of machinery
same machine) by optimizing synch codes. components.
The visual system displays timelines and
simulates multi-channel motion to ensure
that minimum cycles are achieved without
interference.
Wire EDM
The Wire EDM capability in NX CAM cuts
either 2 axis or 4 axis geometry configura-
tions. You can rough out volumes with the
no-core area option or cut profiles. Flexible
geometry input means that no matter what
geometry you start with, you are ready to
Feature-based automation speeds programming create Wire EDM tool paths. You can select
and supports best practices.
curves, faces or solids. And NX Wire EDM NC programming automation
offers the productivity benefits of feature-
Feature-based machining
based automation. Wire EDM features are
You can automate programming for stan-
recognized and intelligent processes are
dard features, part families, and even
applied to the recognized features.
multiple parts arranged in fixtures. NX is
Graphical-driven programming able to recognize features by topology, by
NX puts you in the context of a specific product manufacturing information (PMI),
work task by displaying previews of results and even by color. Features can then be
and allowing you to directly interact with machined by applying rule-based processes
on-screen elements. With interactive grab to them. Rules can even reflect the toler-
handles you can quickly establish preferred ances or surface finish stored on the part as
positions, tool axes and approach PMI or embedded GD&T.
directions.
When features and their associated rules
are customized to your shop’s environment
and best practices, there are remarkable
benefits available for productivity, repeat-
ability and reliability.
With the Teach Features and Teach
Operations functions, you can easily teach
NX CAM your company’s standard machin-
ing processes. Then feature recognition can
find your features on parts and automati-
cally apply your specific machining
operations – for fast error-free
programming.
Integrated machine tool simulation
With NX CAM, you can perform machine
simulation right from the programming
environment so that information is at hand
when you need it, avoiding the require-
ment for a separate machining simulation
package for the NC programmer.
Quickly establish positions and tool axes with inter-
The NC Simulation capability provides a 3D
active grab handles.
model-based visualization of the planned
Tools preview right in the setup, so that machining operations. NX CAM facilitates
you can drag them around and check for fit multiple levels of simulation, ranging from
and clearance. Tool path patterns preview basic tool path verification to full machin-
interactively for control over cut and ste- ing simulation that includes a complete
pover directions. Generic motion machine tool model. Collision checking and
operations let you drag and drop the multi-channel synchronization are simu-
motion itself, snapping it to part geometry lated at the g-code level for the most
as needed. accurate results.
CAD for the NC programmer Work in the context of a complete
With NX CAM you have access to the indus- solution
try leading CAD modeling and assembly Resources
functions inside NX – all within the same A big part of programming in the machin-
system. This powerful system lets you ery environment is the effective use of the
design fixtures, position component parts cutting tools, holders, fixtures and other
for fixtures and clamps, and create draw- setup components that are important to
ings for setups without ever leaving to your production process. NX has an exten-
work in a different system. sive tool library that you can update and
optimize. Cutting parameters are likewise
provided in an extensible, customizable
database that puts the best practices of
your shop into the center of your program-
ming process.
Fixtures and related setup components can
be developed in as much detail as neces-
sary for the fast creation of safe and
accurate NC programs. By working in an
assembly environment NX CAM maintains
specified clearances from clamps and fix-
tures. Plus NX CAM lets you share the setup
assemblies as drawings for shop floor use.
Shop documentation
Design fixtures, create drawings, prepare models, The manufacturing of machinery compo-
and repair defects using available CAD, including nents is process focused. Many revisions
synchronous technology. can occur over the long life spans of
machinery products, and special fixturing is
The CAD capabilities in NX allow you to
often developed to streamline operations
import and prepare models for NC pro- Contact
or minimize tool changes. Siemens PLM Software
gramming. You can even repair poor
Americas +1 314 264 8499
quality geometry and adjust models to tol- NX makes sure the setup configurations
Europe +44 (0) 1276 413200
erance conditions by using Synchronous can be shared properly with the shop floor, Asia-Pacific +852 2230 3308
Technology. As a leading CAD solution, NX either via conventional drawings or via 3D
has virtually every tool to support your NC viewer technology. Tool lists and operation www.siemens.com/plm
programming tasks. lists can be easily produced and shared via
web pages or paper documents. NX CAM © 2015 Siemens Product Lifecycle
And NC programs are able to update to Management Software Inc. Siemens
can automatically produce shop docu
design changes with ease through a fully and the Siemens logo are registered
mentation that includes both tooling info
integrated CAD/CAM system that keeps the trademarks of Siemens AG. D-Cubed,
and operation sheets based on an easily
NC program connected to the design Femap, Fibersim, Geolus, GO PLM,
editable excel spreadsheet template. I-deas, JT, NX, Parasolid, Solid Edge,
model.
Syncrofit, Teamcenter and
Tecnomatix are trademarks or regis-
tered trademarks of Siemens Product
Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
or its subsidiaries in the United States
and in other countries. All other lo-
gos, trademarks, registered trade-
marks or service marks belong to
their respective holders.
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