SOLIDWORKS CAM - Shrink Operations Tree and Multi-Stepped Holes

Following on from the AM session applying the saved strategies will be shown after AFR is used you can choose which strategy that is used when ‘generate operation plan’ is actioned. When ‘generate operation plan’ is actioned it creates an operation for every individual feature meaning that the operation tree can become quite long. Combining operations can considerably shorten your operations tree. The other advantage of combining operations is that any changes that need to be made to similar tool paths only need to be made once when operations are combined. Linking operations works similarly but between different set-ups, they stay as separate operations but are linked so that if you change a setting in one operation the other changes too. Multi stepped holes need strategies creating for them as well because the default hole strategies are for single diameter holes. You can use the same hole feature but by adding multiple operations with different parameters you can set up strategies to automatically machine any ‘hole machining operation’ they include centre drill, drill, countersink, bore, ream, tap, rough mill, contour mill and thread mill. 

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