Download [PDF] - InventorCAM

InventorCAM + Inventor 

The complete integrated Manufacturing Solution 

GETTING 

STARTED

INVENTORCAM 4 

2.5D MILLING 10 

FEATURE RECOGNITION 14 

HIGH SPEED SURFACE MACHINING (HSS) 16 

3D MILLING 18 

HIGH SPEED MACHINING (HSM) 22 

MULTI-SIDED MACHINING 26 

SIM. 5-AXIS MACHINING 30 

TURNING 34 

MILL-TURN 38 

WIRE CUT 44 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 45 

TRAINING MATERIALS 46 

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INVENTORCAM 2013 - THE CUTTING EDGE 

• Don’t go for less. Go for full integration. 

InventorCAM is the Certified integrated CAM-Engine for Inventor. 

InventorCAM provides seamless, single-window integration and full 

associativity to the Inventor design model. All machining operations are 

defined, calculated and verified, without leaving the Inventor window. 

InventorCAM is used in the mechanical manufacturing, electronics, 

medical, consumer products, machine design, automotive and aerospace 

industries, mold, tool and die and rapid prototyping shops. 

Today successful manufacturing companies are using integrated CAD/CAM 

systems to get to market faster and reduce costs. With InventorCAM’s 

seamless single-window integration in Inventor, any size organization 

can reap the benefits of the integrated Inventor + InventorCAM 

manufacturing solution. 

InventorCAM supports the complete set of manufacturing technologies. 

Following is a brief description of the main InventorCAM modules. 

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InventorCAM + Inventor = The Complete Integrated Manufacturing Solution

• 2.5D Milling 

InventorCAM provides both interactive and automated powerful 2.5D 

milling operations on Inventor models. InventorCAM offers one of the 

best pocketing algorithms in the market. Full tool path control and 

powerful algorithms ensure that the user can manufacture the way he 

needs to. Operations can be easily re-ordered, rotated, mirrored, etc. 

InventorCAM’s automatic feature-recognition and machining module 

automates the manufacturing of parts with multiple pockets, multiple 

drills and complex holes. 

All your needs for successful production machining are provided directly 

inside Inventor with an easy and straightforward interface. InventorCAM 

is successfully used in production environments by thousands of 

manufacturing companies and job shops. 

• High Speed Surface Machining (HSS) 

The HSS Module is a High Speed Surface Machining module, for smooth 

and powerful machining of localized surface areas in the part, including 

undercuts. It provides easy selection of the surfaces to be machined, with 

no need to define the boundaries. It supports both standard and shaped 

tools. 

HSS provides nine different tool path definition strategies that enable 

the user to work differently for each area, as needed. The linking moves 

between the tool paths can be controlled by the user to avoid holes and 

slots, without the need to modify the model surface. 

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Complete gouge control is available for holder, arbor and tool. Adjoining 

check surfaces that are to be avoided can be selected. Several retract 

strategies are available, under user control. 

The HSS module is an important addition to the integrated 

Inventor+InventorCAM Solution and is essential for each manufacturing 

facility as an excellent complementary module for the machining of all 

types of parts. 

• 3D Milling 

InventorCAM’s 3D Milling can be used both for prismatic parts and for 

3D models. For prismatic parts InventorCAM analyzes the model and 

automatically recognizes pockets and profiles to be machined using 

Z-constant machining strategies. For 3D models, InventorCAM offers 

powerful 3D machining, including integrated rest material options. 

• High Speed Machining (HSM) 

InventorCAM HSM module is a very powerful and market-proven advanced 

3D Mill and high-speed-machining module for 3D parts, aerospace parts 

and molds, tools and dies. The HSM module offers unique machining 

and linking strategies for generating advanced 3D Mill and high-speed 

toolpaths. 

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InventorCAM’s HSM module smooths the paths of both cutting moves 

and retracts wherever possible to maintain a continuous machine tool 

motion – an essential requirement for maintaining higher feedrates and 

eliminating dwelling. 

With InventorCAM HSM module retracts to high Z levels are kept to a 

minimum. Angled where possible, smoothed by arcs, retracts do not 

go any higher than necessary – thus minimizing aircutting and reducing 

machining time. 

The result of the HSM module is an efficient, smooth, and optimal 

toolpath. This translates to increased surface quality, less wear on your 

cutters, and a longer life for your machine tools. 

With demands for ever-shorter lead and production times, lower costs 

and improved quality, InventorCAM’s HSM Module is a must in today’s 

machine shops. 

• 3+2 Axis Multi-Sided Machining 

With InventorCAM, programming and machining of multi-sided parts on 

4- and 5-Axis machining centers is efficient and profitable. InventorCAM 

is an industry leader in this type of machining. InventorCAM rotates the 

Inventor model to the user-defined machining planes and automatically 

calculates all necessary shifts and tilts for the 3D machining coordinate 

systems. 

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InventorCAM enables flexible set-ups and reduces the need for special 

clamping jigs. You can define your 2.5D and 3D machining operations 

on any face and check them using InventorCAM’s advanced tool path 

verification. The output is ready-to-run programs for your 4/5-axis CNCmachine. 

• Simultaneous 5-Axis Machining 

Simultaneous 5-axis machining is becoming more and more popular 

due to the need for reduced machining times, better surface finish and 

improved life span of tools. InventorCAM utilizes all the advantages of 

Simultaneous 5-Axis machining and together with collision control and 

machine simulation, provides a solid base for your 5-axis solution. 

InventorCAM provides intelligent and powerful 5-axis machining 

strategies, including swarfing and trimming, for machining of complex 

geometry parts including mold cores and cavities, aerospace parts, cutting 

tools, cylinder heads, turbine blades and impellers. InventorCAM provides 

a realistic simulation of the complete machine tool, enabling collision 

checking between the tool and the machine components. 

• Turning and Mill-Turn 

InventorCAM has a very strong capability in turning, grooving and Mill-Turn. 

As in milling, a rest-machining capability is built in all turning operations. 

InventorCAM supports all machine turning cycles. InventorCAM provides 

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special support for the advanced machining technologies of ISCAR’s Turn- 

Groove tools. 

A powerful integrated Mill-Turn capability enables the turning and milling 

operations to be programmed in the same environment. Access to the 

complete 2.5-5 axis milling is available. InventorCAM provides support 

for up to 5-Axis (XYZCB) Turn-Mill CNC machines including back-spindle 

operations. 

• 2/4 Axis Wire-EDM 

InventorCAM Wire EDM handles profiles and tapers with constant and 

variable angles, as well as 4-axis contours. InventorCAM’s intelligent 

algorithms prevent the falling of material pieces by automatic pocket 

processing. InventorCAM provides full user control of stop-points and of 

wire cutting conditions at any point of the profile or taper. 

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2.5D MILLING 

The 2_5D_Milling_1_IV.prz example illustrates the use of InventorCAM 

2.5D Milling to machine the cover part shown above. The machining is 

performed on a 3-axis CNC machine in two setups, one for the top faces and 

one for bottom faces. 

The following InventorCAM operations are created to perform the machining: 

• Top face machining (FM_facemill_2) 

This Face Milling operation performs the machining of the top 

face of the cover. An end mill of Ø20 is used. The machining 

is performed in two passes - rough and finish. A machining 

allowance of 0.2 mm remains unmachined at the floor, after the 

rough pass, and is removed during the finishing pass. 

• External faces machining (F_profile_1; F_profile_2) 

These operations perform the profile machining of the external 

contour of the cover. An end mill of Ø16 is used. The Clear 

offset option is used at the roughing stage to perform the 

machining in a number of equidistant offsets from the machining 

geometry. The machining allowance is left unmachined during 

the roughing operation and removed at the finishing stage. 

• Bolt seats machining (F_profile_3) 

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This operation is used to remove the material at the bolt seat 

areas. An end mill of Ø8 is used for the operation. 


• Bottom face machining (FM_facemill_3) 

This Face Milling operation performs the machining of the bottom face 

of the cover. This operation uses the second Coordinate system; it means 

that the second setup has to be performed at the CNC machine before the 

machining. The used tool and the machining strategy are similar to the 

FM_profile_T1 operation. 

• Internal faces roughing (P_profile_5; P_profile_6) 

These Pocket operations perform the rough machining of the internal 

faces of the cover. An end mill of Ø16 is used. The rough machining is 

divided into two operations to perform the machining with the optimal 

tool path The machining allowance is left unmachined for further finish 

operations. 

• Internal faces rest machining (P_profile_6) 

This operation uses the rest material machining technique in order to 

machine the areas left inaccessible for the large tools used in the previous 

operations. An end mill of smaller diameter (Ø8) is used. 

• Internal faces finishing (F_profile_5; F_profile_7) 

These operations perform the wall finishing of the internal pocket area of 

the cover part. An end mill of Ø6 is used. 

• Floor faces finishing (F_profile_7; P_profile_6) 

These operations perform the floor finishing of the internal pocket area of 

the cover part. End mill tools of Ø6 and Ø8 are used. 

• Slot machining (S_slot) 

This Slot Milling operation performs the machining of the groove at the 

bottom face of the cover. An end mill of Ø1.5 is used. 

• Holes machining (D_drill) 

These Drill operations perform the center drilling and drilling of the four 

holes of Ø5 located at the bottom face of the cover. 

• Threaded holes machining (D_drill_1) 

This Drill operation perform the center drilling, drilling and threading of 

the M2 holes located at the pads. 

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2.5D MILLING 

The 2_5D_Milling_2_IV.prz example illustrates the use of InventorCAM 

2.5D Milling to machine the part shown above. The machining is performed 

on a 3-axis CNC machine in two setups, using two InventorCAM Coordinate 

systems. 


• Upper faces machining (F_profile; F_profile_1) 

These Profile operations remove the bulk of material performing 

the rough and the finish machining of upper faces. An end mill 

of Ø16 is used. The Clear offset option is used at the roughing 

stage to perform the machining in a number of equidistant offsets 

from the machining geometry. 

• Step faces machining (F_profile_2) 

This operation performs the rough and finish machining of the 

step faces using the Profile operation. An end mill of Ø16 is used. 

• External contour machining (F_profile_3) 

This operation performs the rough and finish machining of the 

external model faces. An end mill of Ø16 is used. 

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• Connector pocket machining (P_profile_4; P_profile_5; 

F_profile_13; F_profile_6; P_profile_4) 

A number of Profile and Pocket operations are used to perform the rough 

and finish machining of the connector pocket. End mill tools of Ø10; Ø3 

and Ø4 are used. The Rest material strategy is used in the last operation 

to complete the machining of the connector faces. 

• Machine screw head areas (F_profile_7) 

This operation performs the rough and finish machining of the screw head 

areas. An end mill tool of Ø4 is used. 

• Top and Bottom face machining (FM_profile_1; FM_facemill_1) 

Two Face Milling operation enable you generate the tool path for roughing 

and finishing of the top and bottom faces. Note that the second operation 

is used with the second Coordinate System, it means that the second 

setup has to be performed at the CNC machine before the machining. 

• Internal faces roughing (P_profile_11; P_profile_12) 

These Pocket operations perform the roughing of the complex pocket 

formed by the internal faces of the part. An end mill tool of Ø10 is used. 

• Internal faces roughing (F_profile_11; F_profile_12; 

P_profile_8; F_profile_9) 

These Pocket and Profile operations perform the finish machining of the 

wall and floor faces if the complex pocket roughed at the previous stage. 

An end mill tool of Ø4 is used. 

• Holes machining (D_drill; D_drill_1; D_drill_2) 

These Drill operations perform center drilling and drilling of holes located 

on the cover part faces. 

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FEATURE RECOGNITION 

The drill_pocket_recognition_IV.prz example illustrates the use of 

InventorCAM Automatic Feature Recognition to machine the mold base part 

shown above. The machining is performed on a 3-axis CNC machine. 


• Top face machining (FM_facemill) 


face of the cover. A face mill of Ø40 is used. 

• Pockets machining (PR_selected_faces) 

This Pocket Recognition operation automatically recognizes all 

the pocket areas in the model and performs their machining. An 

end mill of Ø20 is used. The Open Pocket machining is used to 

perform the approach movement from an automatically calculated 

point outside of the material. The tool descends to the necessary 

depth outside of the material and then moves horizontally into the 

material. A special machining strategy is applied to the through 

pockets; they are deepened in order to completely machine the 

pocket. 

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• Center Drilling (DR_drill_r) 

This Drill Recognition operation automatically recognizes all the hole 

features available for the machining with the current Coordinate System 

and performs the center drilling of all the holes in the mold base. An spot 

drill of Ø10 is used. The drilling depth is customized for each group of 

holes. 

• Drilling (DR_drill_r1; DR_drill_r2; DR_drill_r3; DR_drill_r4; 

DR_drill_r5; DR_drill_r6) 

These Drill Recognition operations perform the machining of all the 

hole features automatically recognized in the mold base. InventorCAM 

automatically recognized the Upper Level and Drill depth from the 

model. The through holes are extended in order to completely machine 

the holes. 

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HIGH SPEED SURFACE MACHINING (HSS) 

The hss_IV.prz example illustrates the use of several InventorCAM High 

Speed Surface Machining (HSS) strategies to machine the base part shown 

above. 


• Engraving (HSS_Projection_selected_faces, 

HSS_Projection_selected_faces_1, 

HSS_Projection_selected_faces_2, 

HSS_Projection_selected_faces_3) 

These operations utilize the HSS Engraving strategy to perform 

the machining of four fillet areas. A ball nose mill of Ø10 is used. 

The Depth Cut option is used to machine the whole the depth 

in several cutting passes. 

• Morphing machining (HSS_MORPH_CURVES_selected_ 

faces_4, HSS_MORPH_CURVES_selected_faces_6) 

This operation performs the machining of two internal fillet areas 

using the Morph between two curves strategy. This strategy 

is utilized to generate the tool path evenly distributed between 

the fillet boundaries. The gouge checking strategy is used to avoid 

possible gouges between the tool and the faces of the machining 

area. A ball nose mill of Ø10 is used. 

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• Parallel to curve machining (HSS_ParToCurve_selected_faces_8) 

This operation performs the machining of the part bottom face. With this 

strategy, InventorCAM enables you to perform the machining of faces with 

cutting passes parallel to the selected curve. In this case, InventorCAM 

generates a pocket-style tool path enclosed within the boundaries of the 

selected face. An end mill of Ø8 is used. 

• Morphing between two curves (HSS_MORPH_CURVES_selected_ 

faces_9) 

This operation performs the machining of the external fillet and an 

inclined face adjacent to the fillet. The Morphing between two 

curves strategy is utilized to generate the tool path evenly distributed 

between the fillet boundaries. The tool path is generated using the 

Scallop of 0.004 mm in order to obtain excellent surface quality. The 

gouge checking strategy is used to avoid possible gouges between the 

tool and the faces of the machining area. A ball nose mill of Ø6 is used. 

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3D MILLING 

The 3D_Milling_1_IV.prz example illustrates the use of InventorCAM 3D 

Milling for the machining of the mold core shown above. 


• Roughing (3DR_target) 

This operation removes the bulk of material using the Contour 

roughing strategy. An end mill of Ø20 is used. The machining 

is performed at the constant-Z levels defined, using the Step 

down value of 5 mm. A machining allowance of 0.5 mm remain 

unmachined for further finish operations. 

• Rest material machining (3DR_target) 

This operation performs the rest material machining of the areas 

that were inaccessible to the tool in the previous operation. An 

end mill tool of smaller diameter (Ø16) is used. The Contour 

roughing strategy is utilized in combination with the Rest 

material mode of the Working area definition in order to 

obtain optimal and effective tool path removing the cusps left 

after the previous operation. A machining allowance of 0.5 mm 

remains unmachined for further finish operations. 

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• Steep areas finishing (3DF_CZ_target) 

This operation performs the Constant-Z finishing of the steep areas of 

the core. With this strategy, InventorCAM machines a number of planar 

sections, parallel to the XY plane, using profile machining. A ball nose 

mill of Ø10 is used. The machining is performed for the steep areas, with 

inclination angle from 30° to 90° 

• Shallow areas finishing (3DF_CS_target) 

This operation performs the Constant Stepover finishing of the shallow 

areas of the core. With this 3D Milling strategy InventorCAM generates 

a number of tool paths, at specified constant offset (Step over) from 

each other, measured along the surface. The machining is performed for 

the shallow areas, with inclination angle from 0° to 32°. A ball nose mill 

of Ø10 is used. 

• Parting surface finishing (3DF_Lin_target) 

This operation performs the Linear finishing of the parting surface of the 

core. In linear finishing, InventorCAM generates a line pattern on a 2D 

plane above the model and then projects it on the 3D Model. The Step 

over value determines the constant distance between adjacent lines of 

the linear pattern, created on the 2D plane before being projected. A ball 

nose mill of Ø10 is used. The defined Drive/Check surfaces enable you to 

perform the machining of the parting surfaces only, avoiding unnecessary 

contact with the already machined faces. 

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3D MILLING 

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The 3D_Milling_2_IV.prz example illustrates the use of InventorCAM 3D 

Milling for prismatic part machining. 


• Roughing (3DR_target) 

These operations remove the bulk of material using the Contour 

roughing strategy. An end mill of Ø14 is used. The Open Pocket 

machining is used to perform the approach movement from an 

automatically calculated point outside of the material. The tool 

descends to the necessary depth outside of the material and then 

moves horizontally into the material. A machining allowance of 

0.2 mm remain unmachined on floor and wall faces for further 

finish operations. 

• Rest material machining (3DR_target; 3DR_target) 

At this stage the rest material machining is performed for the 

corner areas, that were inaccessible by the tool in the previous 

operation. The machining is performed in two operations using 

end mills of Ø8 and Ø5, in order to minimize the tool load. The 

Contour roughing strategy is utilized in combination with the 

Cut only in Rest material option in order to obtain optimal 

tool path A machining allowance of 0.2 mm remain unmachined 

on the floor and wall faces for further finish operations. 


• Vertical walls finishing (3DF_CZ_target) 

This operation performs the Constant-Z Wall finishing of the vertical 

walls areas of the part. With this strategy, InventorCAM generates a 

number of profile passes along the Z-axis, with a constant Step down. 

An end mill of Ø4 is used. 

• Horizontal floor finishing (3DF_CZ_target_1) 

This operation performs the Constant-Z Floor finishing of the horizontal 

floor areas of the part. With this strategy, InventorCAM generates a 

number of pocket passes on the horizontal faces, parallel to the XY-plane 

of the current Coordinate System. An end mill of Ø4 is used. 

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HIGH SPEED MACHINING (HSM) 

The hsm_1_IV.prz example illustrates the use of several InventorCAM High 

Speed Machining (HSM) strategies to machine the mold cavity shown above. 


• Rough machining (HSM_R_Cont_target) 

This operation performs contour roughing of the cavity. An end 

mill of Ø20 is used with a Step down of 3 mm. A machining 

allowance of 0.5 mm remain unmachined for further semi-finish 

and finish operations. 

• Rest roughing (HSM_RestR_target) 

This operation performs rest roughing of the cavity. A bull nosed 

tool of Ø12 and corner radius of 2 mm is used with a Step down 

of 1.5 mm to remove the steps left after the roughing. The same 

machining allowance as in roughing operation is used. 

• Steep faces semi-finishing (HSM_CZ_target) 

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This operation performs Constant Z semi-finishing of the steep 

faces (from 40° to 90°). A ball nosed tool of Ø10 is used for 

the operation. A machining allowance of 0.25 mm remain 

unmachined for further finish operations. The Apply fillet 

surfaces option is used to add virtual fillets that will smooth the 

tool path at the corners. 


• Shallow faces semi-finishing (HSM_Lin_target) 

This operation performs Linear semi-finishing of the shallow faces (from 

0° to 42°). A ball nosed tool of Ø10 is used for the operation. A machining 

allowance of 0.25 mm remain unmachined for further finish operations. 

The Apply fillet surfaces option is used. 

• Corners rest machining (HSM_RM_target) 

This operation uses the Rest Machining strategy for semi-finishing of the 

mold cavity corners. The semi-finishing of the model corners enables you 

to avoid tool overload in the corner areas during further finishing. A ball 

nosed tool of Ø6 is used for the operation. A virtual reference tool of 

Ø12 is used to determine the model corners where the rest machining is 

performed. A machining allowance of 0.25 mm remain unmachined for 

further finish operations. 

• Steep faces finishing (HSM_CZ_target) 

This operation performs Constant Z finishing of the steep faces (from 40° 

to 90°). A ball nosed tool of Ø8 is used for the operation. The Apply 

fillet surfaces option is used. 

• Shallow faces finishing (HSM_Lin_target) 

This operation performs Linear finishing of the shallow faces (from 0° to 

42°). A ball nosed tool of Ø8 is used for the operation. The Apply fillet 

surfaces option is used. 

• Corners rest machining (HSM_RM_target) 

This operation uses the Rest Machining strategy for finishing of the 

model corners. A ball nosed tool of Ø4 is used for the operation. A virtual 

reference tool of Ø10 is used to determine the model corners where the 

rest machining is performed. 

• Chamfering (HSM_Bound_target) 

This operation uses the Boundary Machining strategy for the 

chamfering of upper model edges. A taper tool is used for the operation. 

The chamfer is defined by the external offset of the drive boundary and 

by the Axial thickness parameter. 

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HIGH SPEED MACHINING (HSM) 

The hsm_2_IV.prz example illustrates the use of several InventorCAM HSM 

strategies to machine the electronic box shown above. 


• Rough machining (HSM_R_Cont_target) 

This operation performs the contour roughing of the part. An end 

mill of Ø30 is used with a Step down of 10 mm to perform the 

roughing. A machining allowance of 0.5 mm remain unmachined 

for further semi-finish and finish operations. 

• Rest roughing (HSM_RestR_target) 

This operation performs the rest roughing of the part. A bull 

nosed tool of Ø16 and corner radius of 1 mm is used with a Step 

down of 5 mm to remove the steps left after the roughing. The 

same machining allowance as in the roughing operation is used. 

• Upper faces machining (HSM_CZ_target) 

This operation performs Constant Z finishing of the upper vertical 

model faces up to a certain depth. A bull nosed tool of Ø12 and 

corner radius of 0.5 mm is used. 

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• Bottom faces machining (HSM_CZ_target_1) 

This operation performs Constant Z finishing of the bottom vertical model 

faces. A bull nosed tool of Ø12 and corner radius of 0.5 mm is used. 

• Flat faces machining (HSM_CZF_target) 

This operation performs Horizontal Machining of the flat faces. A bull 

nosed tool of Ø12 and corner radius of 0.5 mm is used. 

• Inclined faces machining (HSM_CZ_target) 

This operation performs Constant Z Machining of the inclined faces. A 

taper mill of 12° angle is used to perform the machining of the inclined 

face with large stepdown (10 mm). Using such a tool enables you to 

increase the productivity of the operation. 

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MULTI-SIDED MACHINING 

The multi_sided_machining_1_IV.prz example illustrates the use of 

InventorCAM Multi-sided machining to machine the manifold plate shown 

above, using a 5-axis CNC Machine. The initial stock for this example comes 

from casting. 


• Top face machining (FM_profile) 


face of the cover. An end mill of Ø16 is used. The machining 

is performed in two passes - rough and finish. A machining 

allowance of 0.2 mm remain unmachined at the floor after the 

rough pass and removed during the finishing pass. Position #1 of 

the Machine Coordinate system is used for the operation. 

• Front hole machining (D_drill; F_profile_1) 

These operations are used for the front hole machining using 

Position #2 of the Machine Coordinate system. The Drill operations 

perform center-drilling and two steps drilling of the hole. The 

Profile operation is used for the machining of the connector faces 

around the hole. 

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• Left hole machining (D_drill_1; F_profile_2) 

These operations are used for the left hole machining using Position #3 

of the Machine Coordinate system. The sequence of the Drill and Profile 

operations is similar to the sequence used for the front hole machining. 

• Back hole machining (D_drill_2; F_profile_3) 




• Right hole machining (D_drill_3; F_profile_4) 




• Top holes machining (P_profile_5; D_drill_4;D_drill_5; F_profile_6) 

These operations are used for the machining of the holes located on the 

top faces of the model. Position #1 of the Machine Coordinate system is 

used for all the operations. 

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MULTI-SIDED MACHINING 

The multi_sided_machining_1_IV.prz example illustrates the use of 

InventorCAM Multi-sided machining to complete the machining of the clamp 

part shown above, using a 5-axis CNC Machine. 


• Top face machining (FM_profile_1) 

This Face Milling operation machines the top inclined face of the 

clamp. Machine Coordinate system #1 (Position #2) is used for 

the operation. 

• Back face machining (FM_profile_2) 

This Face Milling operation machines the back inclined face of 

the clamp. Machine Coordinate system #1 (Position #3) is used 

for the operation. 

• Front face machining (FM_profile_3) 

This Face Milling operation machines the front inclined face of 

the clamp. Machine Coordinate system #1 (Position #4) is used 

for the operation. 

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• Openings machining (F_profile_4) 

This Profile operation machines two openings, located on the front 

inclined face of the clamp. Machine Coordinate system #1 (Position #4) is 

used for the operation. 

• Slot machining (P_profile_5; P_profile6) 

These Pocket operations machines the slot faces located on the top inclined 

face of the clamp, using the Contour strategy. Machine Coordinate system 

#1 (Position #2) is used for the operation. 

• Hole machining (P_profile_7; D_drill) 

These operations machine the inclined counterbore hole, located on the 

top inclined face of the clamp. Machine Coordinate system #1 (Position 

#5) is used for the operation. 

• Bottom face machining (FM_profile_8) 

This Face Milling operation machines the bottom inclined face of the 

clamp. Machine Coordinate system #2 (Position #1) is used for the 

operation. 

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SIM. 5-AXIS MACHINING 

The sim_5_axis_1_IV.prz example illustrates the use of the InventorCAM 

Sim. 5 axis module for turbine blade machining. 

The following Sim. 5 axis operations are used to perform the semi-finish and 

finish machining of the turbine blade: 

• Blade Semi-finishing 

(5X_selected_faces; 5X_selected_faces) 

The first operation provides the semi-finish of the turbine blade, 

using a bull nosed tool of Ø16 with a corner radius of 4 mm. A 

combination of the Parallel Cuts strategy and Spiral Cutting 

method is used to perform the spiral machining of the blade. 

The tool tilting is defined using the Tilted relative to cutting 

direction option, with lag angle of 20°. The tool contact point 

is defined at the front tool face. This combination of parameters 

enables you to perform the machining by the toroidal surface of 

the tool. 

Gouge checking is performed to avoid the possible collisions of 

the tool with the planar surface of the blade base. The remaining 

material will be machined at a later stage, using a special tilting 

strategy. 

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The second Sim. 5-axis operation provides semi-finishing of the blade 

area, close to the blade base. This area was not machined in the previous 

operation because of the gouge protection. A bull nosed tool of Ø8, with 

a corner radius of 2 mm, is used for the operation. Similar to the previous 

operation, a combination of the Parallel Cuts strategy and Spiral 

Cutting method is used to perform the spiral machining of the blade. 

The tool tilting is defined using the Tilted relative to cutting direction 

option, with a lag angle of 20°. In addition to the lag angle, a side tilting 

angle of 10° is defined to avoid the gouging of the planar face of the 

blade base. 

• Blade finishing (5X_selected_faces) 

This operation performs the finishing of the blade. A bull nosed tool of 

Ø8, with a corner radius of 2.5 mm, is used for the operation. 

The tool tilting is defined using the Tilted relative to cutting direction 

option with a lag angle of 20°. In addition to the lag angle, a side tilting 

angle of 10° is defined to avoid the gouging of the planar face of the 

blade base. 

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SIM. 5-AXIS MACHINING 

The sim_5_axis_2_IV.prz example illustrates the use of the Sim. 5 axis 

operation for an aerospace part machining. 

A number of Sim. 5 axis operations are defined in order to perform the finish 

machining of the inclined faces of the aerospace frame and their adjacent 

fillets. The inclined faces are forming an undercut area that cannot be machined 

using 3 axis milling; we have to use 5 axis milling, with the appropriate tilting 

strategy, to machine the inclined faces. 

• Inclined walls finishing 

(5X_selected_faces_1; 5X_selected_faces_2; 

5X_selected_faces_3) 

These operations perform the finish machining of the inclined 

walls. 

A ball nosed tool of Ø4 is used for the operation. 

The Parallel Cuts strategy is used to generate a number of cuts 

parallel to the XY plane of the coordinate system. 

The tool tilting is defined using the Tilted relative to cutting 

direction option with a lag angle of 90°. These parameters 

enable you to perform the machining with the side face of the 

tool. 

32 


• Fillet machining 

(5X_selected_faces_4; 5X_selected_faces_5; 

5X_selected_faces_6) 

These operations perform the finish machining of the fillets adjacent to 

the walls. 

A ball nosed tool of Ø4 is used for the operation. 

The Project curves strategy is used to generate a single pencil milling 

pass, machining the fillets. 

The Tilted through curves tilting strategy is used to perform a smooth 

transition between different tool axis orientations. 

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TURNING 

The turning_1_IV.prz example illustrates the use of the InventorCAM 

Turning for the machining of the part shown above. 

The following Turning operations are used to perform the machining of the 

part: 

• External Roughing (TR_profile) 

This operation is used to generate the tool path for the external 

faces roughing. An External roughing tool is used for the 

operation. The Long Process type is chosen for the operation 

to perform the machining in longitudinal direction. The Rough 

Work type is chosen for the operation; with this Work type the 

rough machining is performed in a number of equidistant passes. 

• Facial Turning (TR_profile_1) 

This operation is used to generate the tool path for the front face 

machining. An External roughing tool is used for the operation. 

The Face Process type is chosen for the operation to perform 

the machining in facial direction. The Rough work type is chosen 

for the operation; with this work type the rough machining is 

performed in a number of equidistant passes. 

• Drilling (DRILL) 

34 

This Drill operation is used to perform the rough machining of the 

hole. A U-Drill tool of Ø28 is used for the operation. 


• External Finishing (TR_profile) 

This Turning operation is used to perform the external faces finishing. The 

Profile Work type is chosen to generate the finishing pass. An External 

roughing tool is used for the operation. 

• Internal Turning (TR_profile_2) 

This Turning operation is used to perform the internal faces finishing. The 

Profile Work type is chosen to generate the finishing pass. An Internal 


• External Grooving (GR_profile3) 

This Grooving operation is used to perform rough and finish machining 

of the external groove faces. An External grooving tool is used for the 

operation. 

• Internal Grooving (GR_profile_4) 

This Grooving operation is used to perform rough and finish machining 

of the internal groove faces. An Internal grooving tool is used for the 

operation. 

• External Threading (TH_profile_5) 

This Threading operation is used to perform the machining of the external 

thread with the minimal diameter of 56 mm and pitch of 1.5 mm. An 

External threading tool is used for the operation. 

• Internal Threading (TH_profile_6) 

This Threading operation is used to perform the machining of the internal 

thread with the maximal diameter of 33.5 mm and pitch of 1.5 mm. An 

Internal threading tool is used for the operation. 

• Parting (GR_profile_7) 

This Grooving operation is used to perform the parting (cut-off) of the 

machined part from the stock bar. The Cut Work type is used for the 

operation. An External grooving tool is used for the operation. 

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TURNING 

The turning_2_IV.prz example illustrates InventorCAM functionality for 

Rest Material machining, during longitudinal and facial rough/finish turning 

operations, performed on the wheel part shown above. 

The following Turning operations are used to perform the machining of the 

part: 

• External Roughing (TR_profile) 

This operation is used to generate the tool path for the external 

faces roughing. An External roughing tool is used for the operation. 

The Long Process type is chosen for the operation to perform 

the machining in the longitudinal direction. The Rough Work 

type is chosen for the operation; with this Work type the rough 

machining is performed in a number of equidistant passes. 

• External Rest Material Roughing (TR_profile) 

This operation utilizes the Rest Material option to perform the 

machining of the areas left unmachined after the previous 

operation. These areas were unmachined because of the 

orientation and geometry of the tool used in the previous 

operation. In this operation a tool with opposite orientation is 

used to machine the part, moving in the positive Z-direction. 

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• External Finishing (TR_profile_1) 

This Turning operation is used to perform the external faces finishing. The 


Contour tool is used for the operation to avoid leaving unmachined areas 

during the external finish. 

• Facial Roughing (TR_profile_2) 

This operation is used to generate the tool path for the front face 

roughing. An External roughing tool is used for the operation. The Face 

Process type is chosen for the operation to perform the machining 

in facial direction. The Rough work type is chosen for the operation; 

with this work type the rough machining is performed in a number of 

equidistant passes. 

• External Rest Material Roughing (TR_profile_2) 

This operation utilizes the Rest Material option to perform the machining 

of the areas left unmachined after the previous operation. These areas 

were unmachined because of the orientation and geometry of the tool 

used in the previous operation. In this operation the tool with opposite 

orientation is used to machine the part, moving in the positive X-direction. 

• External Facial Finishing (TR_profile_2) 

This Turning operation is used to perform the front face finishing. The 



• External Rest Material Finishing (TR_profile_2) 

This operation utilizes the Rest Material option to perform the machining 

of the areas left unmachined after the previous finishing operation. These 

areas were unmachined because of the orientation and geometry of 

the tool used in the previous operation. In this operation the tool with 

opposite orientation is used to machine the part, moving in the positive 

X-direction. The Profile Work type is chosen to generate the finishing 

pass. 

• Hole machining (DRILL) 

This Drill operation is used to perform the machining of the hole. A 

U-Drill tool of Ø40 is used for the operation. 

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MILL-TURN 

The mill_turn1_IV.prz example illustrates the use of the InventorCAM Mill- 

Turn module for the machining of the optical part shown above, on a 4-axis 

Mill-Turn CNC-Machine. 

The following Turning and Milling operations are used to perform the 

machining of the part: 

• Turning 

(TR_profile_1; DRILL_; TR_profile_10) 

These turning operations are used to generate the tool path 

for the rough and finish machining of the external and internal 

cylindrical faces. 

• Facial Milling (F_profile_2; D_drill_3; D_drill_4) 

These operations perform the machining of the screw slot and 

four holes using InventorCAM capabilities for facial milling. 

Position #1 of Coordinate System #1 is used to perform the facial 

machining. 

• Machining of the side faces (P_profile_3) 

This Pocket operation is used to perform the machining of the side 

faces of the model. The Contour strategy is used in combination 

with a negative Wall offset value in order to generate an 

overlapping tool path that completely machines the faces. 

38 

CoordSys Position #3 is used for the operation. The Transform option is 

used to create a circular pattern of operations around the revolution axis. 


• Drilling on the side face (D_drill) 

This Drill operation is used to perform the machining of two holes located 

on the side face of the model. CoordSys Position #3 is used for the 

operation. 

• Slot machining (F_profile_4) 

This Profile operation is used to perform the machining of the slot using 

indexial 4-axis milling. 

Position #4 of Coordinate System #1 is used for the operation. 

An end mill of Ø2.5 is used for the operation. 

• Radial holes machining 

(D_drill1_; P_profile_6; D_drill_2; P_profile_7) 

These Drill and Pocket operations are used to perform the machining of 

three counterbore holes located on the cylindrical face. 

Position #5 and Position #6 of Coordinate System #1 are used for the 

operations. 

• Pocket machining (P_profile_9) 

This Pocket operation is used to perform the simultaneous 4-axis machining 

of the pocket, wrapped on the external face of the part. Position #2 of 

Coordinate System #1 is used to perform the pocket machining. An end 

mill of Ø2.5 is used for the operation. 

The Wrap option, chosen during the machining geometry definition, 

enables you to define the wrapped geometry of the pocket directly on 

the solid model. 

The Contour strategy is chosen for the pocket machining. 

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MILL-TURN 

The mill_turn_2_IV.prz example illustrates the use of the InventorCAM Mill- 

Turn module for the machining of the console part shown above on a 5-axis 

Mill-Turn CNC-Machine. 



• Turning (TR_profile) 

This turning operation is used to generate the tool path for the 

rough and finish machining of the external cylindrical faces. 

• Indexial milling (F_profile_6) 

This Profile operation is used to perform the machining of the 

cube sides using the InventorCAM indexial milling capabilities. 

Position #2 of Coordinate System #2 is used for the operation. 

The Transform option is used to create a circular pattern of 

operations around the revolution axis in order to machine all the 

cube faces. 

An end mill of Ø16 is used for the operation. 

• Horizontal faces machining (F_profile_1) 

40 

This Profile operation is used to perform the indexial milling of the 

horizontal faces at the front part of the console. Position #4 of 

Coordinate System #1 is used for the operation. 


The Transform option is used to create a circular pattern of operations 

around the revolution axis in order to machine both sides of the console’s 

front part. 

• Inclined faces machining (F_profile_3; F_profile_4) 

These Profile operations are used to perform the machining of the inclined 

faces using the B-axis. CoordSys positions #5 and #6 are used for these 

operation. 

An end mill of Ø16 is used for the operations. 

• Cylindrical face machining (F_profile_2) 

This Profile operation is used to perform the machining of the cylindrical 

face at the front part of the console. Position #4 of Coordinate System #1 

is used for the operation. 

An end mill of Ø16 is used for the operations. 

• Pocket machining (P_profile_9) 

This Pocket operation is used to perform the machining of the pocket 

located on the inclined faces, using the B-axis. Position #5 of Coordinate 

System #1 is used for the operation. 


• Inclined faces machining (F_profile_7; F_profile_8) 

These Profile operations are used to perform the machining of the inclined 

faces on the cube, using the B-axis. CoordSys positions #7 and #8 are 

used for the operation. 


• Hole machining (D_drill; D_drill_1; D_drill_2; D_drill_3) 

These Drill operations are used to perform the machining of the inclined 

faces on the cube, using the B-axis. CoordSys positions #4, #6, #7 and #8 

are used for the operations. 

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MILL-TURN - 2 SPINDLES 

The back_spindle_IV.prz example illustrates the use of the InventorCAM 

Back Spindle functionality for the machining of the connector part shown 

above, on a 5-axis Mill-Turn CNC-Machine. 



• Turning and front side milling (TR_profile; DRILL; 

F_profile_1; TR_profile_2) 

These operations are used to perform turning and facial milling 

of the front faces of the connector. Position #1 of Coordinate 

System #1 is used for the operation. The back spindle is not used 

in these operations; only the main spindle is used. 

• Indexial machining of the middle part 

(F_profile_6; D_drill_2; F_profile_7) 

These Profile and Drill operations are used to perform the 

machining of the pads and holes located around the cylindrical 

surface, in the middle part of the connector. Position #5 of 

Coordinate System #1 is used for the operation. The Back 

Spindle Connect operation is defined before these operations, 

enabling the combined use of both spindles (main and back) in 

these operations. 

42 


• Indexial machining of the back part 

(P_profile_8; D_drill_3) 

These Profile and Drill operations are used to perform the machining of 

the pads and holes located around the conical surface, in the middle part 

of the connector. Position #6 of Coordinate System #1 is used for the 

operation. The Back Spindle MoveBack operation is defined before 

these operations, causing the retract of the back spindle, so that these 

operations are performed with the main spindle only. 

• Turning and back side milling 

(TR_profile_9; F_profile_10; DRILL; TR_profile_11; 

F_profile_12; D_drill_4) 

These operations are used to perform turning and facial milling of the 

back faces of the connector. Position #1 of Coordinate System #1 is used 

for turnings operation. Position #4 of Coordinate System #1 is used for 

milling operations. The Back Spindle Transfer operation is defined 

before these operations, causing the transfer of the part from the main 

spindle to the back spindle. The machining is performed on the part 

clamped in the back spindle. 

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WIRE CUT 

The wire_cut_IV.prz example illustrates the use of the InventorCAM Wire 

Cut module for the conical gear machining. 

The following Wire Cut operations are used to perform the machining of the 

part: 

• Central cut machining (F_contour) 

This Profile operation is used to machine the central through 

cut. The Later option is used for the Auto Stop technology, 

generating a postponed separate sub-operation preventing the 

material dropping. 

• Gear face machining (X_four_axis) 

The 4-axis operation is used to machine the conical gear shape. 

The insertion point of the wire is chosen outside the cylindrical 

stock, simplifying the approach of the wire to the machining 

contour. 

Refer to the Wire Cut User Guide for more information about the Wire Cut 

module. 

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• Microsoft® Windows 7 x32/x64 Professional and Ultimate editions, 

Microsoft® Windows Vista x32/x64 Business and Ultimate editions 

with Service Pack 1, 

Microsoft® Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 or 3, 

Microsoft® Windows XP Professional x64 Edition 

• Intel® Core, Intel® Core2 Duo, Intel® Core Quad, Quadcore, 

Intel® Xeon®, 

AMD Phenom, AMD Phenom II, AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core 

- class processor. 

• 2 GB RAM or more (4 GB or more for x64 operating system is 

recommended for large CAM-Parts machining) 

• A OpenGL workstation graphics card (512 MB RAM recommended) 

and latest driver 

• Mouse or other pointing device 

• CD drive 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 

• Internet Explorer version 6 if you are using the SolidCAM online help 

• For viewing SolidCAM User Guides and Training Courses, Adobe 

Acrobat version 9 or higher is recommended. 

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TRAINING MATERIALS 

The following training courses are suitable both for InventorCAM frontal 

training and for self study. 

• Milling Training Course: 2.5D Milling 

• Milling Training Course: 3D Milling 

• Turning Training Course 

• Turn-Mill Training Course 

• Advanced Training Course 

These documents are available in the following format: PDF for on-line use + 

Examples 

The following user guides for InventorCAM are available. 

• Milling User Guide 

• HSM User Guide 

• Sim. 5-axis User Guide 

• Turning User Guide 

• Wire Cut User Guide 

The PDF versions of user guides are available for download from the 

Download area of InventorCAM Web site: www.inventorcam.com. 

On-line help, based on these user guides, is available within InventorCAM. 

46 


2.5D Milling HSS (High-Speed Surface Machining) HSM (High-Speed Machining) 

Indexed Multi-Sided Machining Simultaneous 5-Axis Machining Turning and Mill-Turn up to 5-Axis 

Wire EDM iMachining Service and Support 

www.youtube.com/InventorCAMProfessor 

www.youtube.com/iMachining 

www.facebook.com/InventorCAM 

www.facebook.com/iMachining 

www.inventorcam.com

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