HSMXpresss - The FREE CAM Addin for SolidWorks

[hsmworksguy]

Today HSMWorks announced the release of HSMXpress: the world’s first free CAM solution for SolidWorks.

HSMXpress will redefine the CAM business. An entirely new segment of SolidWorks users can now take advantage of the benefits of integrated CAD/CAM.

Read more....

HSMXpress: The Free CAM Add-in For SolidWorks Available Now! | NexGenCAM

[ndog]

Wow, this is huge news for SolidWorks users looking for CAM software.

Will this affect the pricing for HSMworks 2D?

Could you expand on the limitations :
"The only functionality that we have disabled is Tool Orientation, the primary stock simulation (MachineWorks based), and the multiaxis backplotting in HSMWorks Edit."

[hsmworksguy]

HSMXpress essentially is HSMWorks 2D now. The MachineWorks-based solid verification is disabled simply because it licensed from another company so we cannot give it away. However, HSMWorks has it's own 64-bit Solids based verification (Right click, Show Stock in Simulate) which is very good and continues to be developed. HSMXpress does not include Multi-axis machining or verification.

Everything else is there and there are no limits: Face, Contour, Pocket (even High Speed 2D Adaptive Clearing) Slot, Thread, Bore, 3D Trace (3D Curve), all of the drill cycles, Patterns, Setup Sheets, common post processors, an open Post language, editor, G-code backplotter, and RS-232 communications. It is all the same Kernel which means native 64-bit and true multi-processor, multi-core and hyper-threading support. Both Part and Assembly mode are supported and everything is stored in the SLDPRT or SLDASM.

There are more details at www.nexgencam.com or www.hsmxpress.com

[TheCamMan]

Could you expand on the limitations :
"The only functionality that we have disabled is Tool Orientation, the primary stock simulation (MachineWorks based), and the multiaxis backplotting in HSMWorks Edit."

This simply means that it doesn’t include the 4/5 axis indexing. Other than that it is the EXACT SAME 2D mill that is in HSMWorks.

[hsmworksguy]

Exactly.

[eforer]

Finally got a post running for HSMXpress that works for my older multicam. This plugin is AWESOME! Really super impressed! If anyone needs my cps file let me know and I'll send it.

My only beef with the whole setup is really more of a beef with SolidWorks. Getting the axis of a new coordinate system to point the way I want is a pain.

[hsmworksguy]

It takes a little getting used to. In a worst-case I create a two-line Sketch with the two construciton lines pointing along the desires X-Y axes.

That makes setting up the SolidWorks coordinate system very simple. Just pick the origin where the lines meet, and then the lines and click of Flip until the point the right directions.

[ndog]

I must not understand why this is an issue. Doesn't the tool orientation in HSMworks take care of any Z-axis orientation issues with SolidWorks?

[hsmworksguy]

Usually. But you can get into situations where the position and orientation of the WCS are better accomodated using the SW Coordinate System. It depends how the part sits in space compared with how you want to machine it.

Use the SW Coordinate System gives you ultimate control.

[eforer]

Do you think I could use the dnc piece bundled with hsmxpress to replace my ancient windnc95? I should be able to if I just use the same settings for my serial connection right?

[hsmworksguy]

Yes. HSMXpress includes a very nice DNC application. It not only communicates but it backplots the actual G-code file and includes many useful features specific to working with NC files: renumber, add/remove spaces, compare files, adjust feed/speed, toolpath statistics, find next tool change, etc.

Just set the parameters in the HXMXPress editor to the same as your existing software and you should be fine.