SURFCAM CAM Software

What is SURFCAM?

SURFCAM has been an excellent general-purpose 2~5 Axis CAM programming system for job shop and large corporation tool room use, i.e. for shops machining other companies' products, working equally well with solid model data, surface model data, 2D CAD data, or from blueprint. Similar to a machinist's toolbox, SURFCAM contains numerous practical tools for creating edit-free NC code, even when working with "dirty" CAD data.

Product Levels

Standard Features for all Levels (2~5-Axis)

Associativity
All toolpaths are fully associative to the geometry used to generate them. Toolpaths can be regenerated after changing any cutting parameters without the need for re-selecting the geometry.
SolidWorks Associativity - Powerful associativity enables users to open native SolidWorks files directly into SURFCAM, completely eliminating the translation process. SURFCAM automatically recognizes any design revisions in the solid model and regenerates only affected toolpaths. With this seamless interoperability, SURFCAM users can quickly adapt to myriad design changes.
Toolpath Editor
Graphically edit any toolpath (pan, zoom, rotate during editing). Instantly move forward or backward through megabytes of toolpath without restarting at the top. Insert, edit, delete, or add machine commands or comments, change feeds or speeds anywhere in a toolpath by simply picking the point of insertion.
Toolpath Templates
Toolpath templates allow you to collect and reuse parameters for all toolpath types.
NC Operations Manager
Icon-based toolpath management system with simple cut and paste functions allows you to easily add standard machining procedures to your active part program, and re-order toolpaths using “drag and drop.” Single keystroke toolpath regeneration or parameter changes without regenerating toolpaths. Extensive toolpath transformation facility supporting any combination of XYZ translate, rotate, mirror, scale, radial wrap, reverse, and merge steps with retention of all steps for regeneration. Associativity between geometry and toolpath is tracked by icon color. Automated toolpath commentary creates a high level outline of machining operations in the order they will be output.
Postprocessors
Template-based direct postprocessing for edit-free G code for most 2 – 4-Axis CNC milling, turning and 2-Axis wire EDM applications. Over 160 sample posts with every system. Configurable CLfile-based 5-Axis & MillTurn postprocessor provides full MillTurn, 4-Axis Wire EDM and 5-Axis contouring support for any machine/controller combination with full macro programming language for special effects.
DNC
Single button file transfer via serial line. Multiple CNC machine attribute files containing start & stop codes, communications protocol settings, special character handling, upload and download directory/filenames.

Setup Sheets

A user-configurable setup sheet generator provides cycle time, travel, tool lists, toolpath comment records, and all information needed for job setup in ASCII text or convenient HTML format.

Utility Programs

Integral cam, gear, and involute utilities quickly generate machineable geometry. Tool/Material Libraries Microsoft Access® database holds all geometric data for each tool and each defined material type. Shipped version contains over 500 tools and 50 material types in both inch and metric format. Tool feeds and speeds are automatically calculated from parameters that work with tool/material library to control stepover, side clearances, and rough/finish stock conditions to minimize user data input. NC Code Import Utility Fanuc-compatible 2 or 3-Axis mill or lathe G code files can be converted into graphic toolpaths and subsequently edited or displayed on a 3D surface model, and subsequently postprocessed for a different machine.

NC Text Editor

Windows®-based high performance editNC® text editor specifically designed to handle G Code supports editing of unlimited sized files; global edits, NC block resequencing, 3D back-plotting with zoom-pan-viewing and integral link to DNC utility.

Arc And NURB Curve Filter

Consolidates surface toolpaths into arc records in XY, YZ, or ZX plane according to user-specified tolerance. Consolidates toolpaths into NURB format according to user-specified tolerance for postprocessors and CNCs that support this feature.

NC Verify

Accurate and rapid material removal simulation. Dynamically rotate and zoom while simulation is running. Verification can be run in any of four modes: Regular for best dynamic rotate/zoom, True Solids for fastest 3D machining, Pixel-based for large 4/5 axis files, and Turbo for end results only. Custom stock and fixture shapes via STL Files, and stock and fixture library. Full clamp/fixture collision detection with warning sound and/or pause. Verification of custom tools including collision detection for non-cutting Verify Part areas. Status window for live feedback with cycle time, tool parameters and cutter moves. Inspect locations, distances and arc radii/diameters of the verified solid model. Visualize sections with respect to any angle and distance of XY, YZ, ZX planes. Compare remaining stock with part model to detect remaining material based upon user specified tolerance values.

Easy to use material removal simulation
Each tool shown in a different color
Multiple stock & fixture components
Box, Cylinder, or external STL file
Speed control, pause, restart, single step
Dynamic rotation, pan, zoon Save and Load in-process

Lathe

When combined with the 2-Axis Advanced system, Lathe provides complete MillTurn support including Main & Sub-Spindle part transfer, Primary-Secondary turret callouts, and combined Milling & Turning functions in a single session.

Supports

Turn
Bore
Face
FaceOff
Groove
Thread functions at any angle with full tool shape support
Centerline Hole-making Cycles
PartOff
Complete lathe tool library and tool drawings provide an excellent starter set for full animating a lathe programming session with true 3D graphics.

Wire EDM

2-Axis Wire is included with 2-Axis Base Edition, handles Wire Thread-CutOff, Tank Flushing, Multi-pass Skim cuts, Glue Stops, Straight Line, Teardrop, or Offset Curve LeadIn-Out moves, Blend, Sharp, or Loop corner rounding treatments, multiple cutting strategies, offset, and stock to leave.

4-Axis Wire is included 2-Axis Advanced Edition, handles the XYUV toolpath output from ruled surface definitions including Multi-pass Skim cuts, Glue Stops, all cutting strategies, and efficient Entry/Exit moves.

CAD data Import (Translators)

Bi-directional DXF/CADL/DWG and IGES (ver. 5.3) utilities with preferences to allow you to customize transfers based on the originating system. Directly import and export true solids model data including trimmed NURB surfaces from all major CAD/CAM systems, including SolidWorks native (.prt, .Sldprt, .Sldasm), SolidEdge native (.par), ACIS .sat (ver. R15), Parasolids x_t & x_b (ver. 17), German VDA (ver. 6.1). Import native MasterCam (*.mc*) files.

Optional native mode translators are available for importing geometry the following CAD systems:

Catia V4 (ver. 4.1.9 - 4.2.4)
Catia V5 (ver. R6 – R19)
Inventor (ver. 6 - 2010)
STEP (ver. AP-203, AP 214)
Pro/E (ver. 16 - Wildfire 4)
UG (ver. 11 - 18, NX - NX6) for individual parts (not assemblies)

Quicklinks

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