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SmartCAM Advanced MillingIf you want to:
Then SmartCAM Advanced Milling™ is the application for you.
Advanced Milling is where the professional level of the SmartCAM Milling application family begins. Advanced Milling is the preferred solution most commonly implemented by our typical machine shop / CAM engineering customers. The SmartCAM Milling product family offers solutions at 3 levels of functionality and cost.Each level progressively provides increased functionality compared to the previous level: everything that can be achieved in the lower, entry‑level SmartCAM Production Milling program is available in SmartCAM Advanced Milling, plus additional advanced and productive features. 
The available Toolpath Motion Types are Part Offset, Spiral, ZigZag, Linear and Morph. A group of wireframe closed island profiles that are to be avoided can also be specified. 
The area to be machined is defined by a wireframe closed profile representing the face boundary. The available Toolpath Motion Types are Part Offset, Spiral, ZigZag, Linear and Morph. A group of wireframe closed island profiles that are to be avoided can also be specified. 
Region elements are wireframe 2D boundaries created using SmartCAM Region Modeling tools. 
Each of the above toolpath processes can optionally generate Rest‑Mill Region elements which can then receive toolpath using the wireframe Region Roughing Process. 
Overlapping or non‑overlapping hole patterns can be created. A group of wireframe closed island profiles that are to be avoided can also be specified. 
SmartCAM Toolpath Modeling functionality for Hole Making operations is consistent in all of the Milling application products. Hole Making toolpaths can be modeled using a number of methods that range from simple holes at a co‑ordinate point through to hole feature recognition and feature‑based toolpaths. Hole Making toolpaths can also be modeled using milling tooling and operations, including Constant‑Spiral and Thread Milling cycles. The key additional benefits of choosing SmartCAM Advanced Milling are:Toolpaths directly from Solid Models Users of Advanced Milling can model toolpath using CAD solid and surface models. Solid Milling and Solid Adaptive Toolpath Processes automate Toolpath Modeling on a selected set of model features. Input parameters and preference settings are used to control toolpath results according to the needs of the operation. 
4‑ 5‑axis positioning capability Program machinery with 4th and 5th indexable rotary axes. Permutations of Rotary Table Axes and Tilting Heads are supported. SmartCAM Code generators can be configured for table / table, table / head or head / head axes indexing. All toolpath can be modeled on local Workplanes defined in 3D space. Workplanes can be defined using a set of flexible methods, including positioning and orienting them on faces of a solid model. Commonly used Workplanes and sets of workplanes can be stored and recalled. Special Workplanes can be used to Model on‑centerline single rotary‑axis wrapped toolpath. 
Adaptive Roughing Toolpaths Advanced Milling delivers Adaptive Toolpath Processes for modeling toolpaths that have a consistent engagement with stock material. Adaptive Toolpath technology ensures that there is a consistent load and cut suitable for High‑Speed Machining and so significantly higher speeds and feeds can be applied. The result is a decrease in machining cycle time for the process and more flexible operations methods. 
3‑Axis Toolpaths Limited 3D / 3‑axis Toolpath Modeling capability is enabled using mesh modeling technology. The 3‑axis Toolpath Mesh Modeling capability is intended for occasional use rather than full and complex 3D‑surface Toolpath Modeling, typically for modeling toolpaths for isolated local features. SmartCAM Advanced Milling customers might, for example, apply mesh tools to model toolpaths for complex corner blends or pockets with tapered walls. 
If full 3‑axis toolpaths from solid or surface models for applications such as core and cavity roughing & finishing and support for toolpaths across multiple surfaces are required then we recommend our premier milling application, SmartCAM FreeForm Machining.Toolpath Modeling Processes available in SmartCAM Advanced Milling over SmartCAM Production Milling include:
The pocket feature can be blind or through, and may contain any number of islands and/or shelves. The pocket walls can be straight or drafted, and may contain corner radii and bottom fillets. Straight and tapered flat, bull and ball endmills are supported. 
The profile features can be blind or through, and may contain any number of shelves. The profile walls can be straight or drafted, and may contain corner radii and bottom fillets. Straight and tapered flat, bull and ball end mills are supported. 
The target model may consist of any combination of core and cavity features, with open or closed, blind or through pockets, containing any number of shelves or islands. The planar roughing process is suitable for roughing both simple prismatic parts and complex molds and dies. Straight and tapered flat, bull and ball endmills are supported. 
Remove material from inside one or more closed wireframe pocket profiles, with or without islands. Remove material above one or more closed wireframe face profiles, with or without islands. Remove material from an open wireframe profile surrounded by a wireframe stock boundary. 
The group of regions to be receive toolpath can consist of any combination of part‑profile regions representing pockets, faces or open profiles with or without islands and voids. Stock boundaries can be open or closed. 
The pocket feature can be blind or through, and may contain any number of islands and/or shelves. The pocket walls can be straight or drafted, and may contain corner radii and bottom fillets. Straight and tapered flat, bull and ball endmills are supported. 
The target model may consist of any combination of core and cavity features, with open or closed, blind or through pockets, containing any number of shelves or islands. The planar roughing process is suitable for roughing both simple prismatic parts and complex molds and dies. Straight and tapered flat, bull and ball endmills are supported.
SmartCAM Toolpath Modeling functionality for Hole Making operations is consistent in all of the Milling application products. Hole Making toolpaths can be modeled using a number of methods that range from simple holes at a co‑ordinate point through to hole feature recognition and feature‑based toolpaths. Hole Making toolpaths can also be Modeled using milling tooling and operations, including Constant‑Spiral and Thread Milling cycles. What should you know about SmartCAM?Toolpath & Geometry ModelingCAD Layer geometry, including geometry imported from a CAD design, can be property‑changed to become Toolpath Elements. The reverse is also true, from Toolpath to Layers. What is the significance of SmartCAM Toolpath Modeling to you?SmartCAM Toolpath Modeling means that you are able to create Toolpath and CNC code to the exact and sometimes unique needs of your CNC manufacturing business. SmartCAM can generate Process Containers. These take the results from SmartCAM's toolpath generation functions and place it in a regeneratable wrapper. Allowing you to quickly adjust the parameters for the previously generated toolpath and generate and replace the existing toolpath. Toolpath Modeling is a part of what we like to refer to as The SmartCAM Difference. Watch our two minute video - which contains audio narration - to learn just a bit more about The SmartCAM Difference: Toolpath Verification
Verification supports both toolpath motion simulation and full material removal. Rapid moves through remaining stock and rapid or feed moves that cause a collision condition between any part of the tool assembly and remaining stock or fixturing can be flagged and clearly marked on the verification model. Standard and custom cutting tools and holders can be included in the verification. The resulting stock model can be saved and used as the stock for subsequent component operations. Using CAD Drawings and Solid Models in SmartCAMAll SmartCAM licenses can read and write wireframe, surface and solid CAD files using ACIS SAT, STEP, IGES, DXF or DWG file formats.Additional native CAD file translators are available, at an additional cost, that read SOLIDWORKS® .SLDPRT, Autodesk® Inventor® .IPT files, Solid Edge® .PAR and .PSM part files and ProE®/CREO® .PRT and .XPR files. All SmartCAM applications can use CAD wireframe, surface, and solid data as reference geometry, toolpath, toolpath boundaries, stock boundaries, and more. Users of the higher‑level SmartCAM applications can model Toolpaths directly from the imported CAD surfaces and solids. The SmartCAM Code Generator (aka Post Processor)The SmartCAM Code Generator tools delivered with every single SmartCAM subscription are probably the most open and flexible in the CAM world. They are not inaccessible black boxes but are based upon open formatting, output control and logic functions that enable SmartCAM users to modify and fine‑tune outputs to their precise needs. Code Generators are most often created using an existing SmartCAM library code generators as a template. Naturally - as with any software that is new to you - there is a learning curve before you can fully understand the tools and how to apply them. If you prefer to concentrate on producing parts then a chargeable code‑generation consultancy service is available.
The SmartCAM Customization ToolKitThe SmartCAM community rates the fact that if you were to hit an apparent limitation then there is usually a technique that can be used in SmartCAM to deliver exactly what it is that is required. We know that SmartCAM users would not have it any other way. The SmartCAM Customization Kit is another of our open set of tools, delivered with every SmartCAM subscription, that can be used to customize your use of SmartCAM. A manufacturer of volume parts used in the hydraulic and pneumatic industries, for example, would benefit from parameterized family of part programming that could be created using the SmartCAM CTK. Customization can flawlessly produce Toolpath, CNC code and other outputs time and time again. In fact we know that customers who have created such customization seldom bother to check graphical Toolpaths or code. It works, every time. A further example scenario for application of the SmartCAM CTK is in automating small‑ or large‑scale tasks that are specific to your CNC manufacturing procedures, machines and personnel when necessary. Your setup and work practices may, for example, require you to frequently apply tasks or sequences of tasks that are not in the box of any CAM system. 
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