Open pockets can either be cut using single direction cutting or a zigzag toolpath. By using open pocketing, you’re using more of the tool in your cuts which can improve the longevity of your tools. This eliminates the need for the tool to plunge into the work piece, which puts all of the stress and tool wear on the tip of the tool. The idea is to start off the part and work your way in from the outside. Open pocketing is a very useful feature in CAD-CAM for CNC programming software when working with hard metals. Here is a list of some of the top features available in the high performance BobCAD-CAM CNC programming software that can improve the accuracy of cuts, life of tools, and speed at which tool and die shops can manufacture parts. Harder metals are more difficult to work with in that they are tougher on the CNC machine, machine tool, and can be more time consuming to machine properly.įortunately, advances in CAD-CAM for CNC programming technology have produced some extremely efficient machining strategies for tool and die makers. Again, since their products are used by other machinists, the tool and die shop has to produce a product that can meet the workload that a CNC machinist will put their products through. In addition, tool and die makers typically work with much harder metals than the average CNC machinist. Given the intended use of their products, tool and die makers are held to much tighter tolerance levels since the quality of their products have a trickle down effect on the level of quality that their customers can deliver. Tool and die makers typically manufacture jigs, fixtures, dies, molds, machine tools, cutting tools, gauges, and other tools used in the manufacturing process by other machinists.

For many industries, tool and die in particular, CAD-CAM for CNC programming has become essential to delivering precision cuts within restrictive tolerance levels. CAD-CAM software has become the go to CNC programming solution because of its ability to automate the design and machining process, which has increased manufacturing efficiency and reduced production cycle times from concept to finished part. CAD-CAM for CNC programming is used in nearly every manufacturing industry around the world including medical, aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, tool and die, and many more.

Edge cam cnc programming software list