PASCAM Bea is a feature-based 3D CAM system for SOLIDWORKS, which has been specially developed to program CNC machining strategies directly at the woodworking product model inside the SOLIDWORKS user interface. PASCAM Bea exports machine specific NC code to control any modern woodworking CNC machine with efficient postprocessors at the push of a button. PASCAM Bea allows the user to add all kinds of typical woodworking CNC machining features to the product model. Thus, the CAM information and the CNC programming are perfectly integrated into the usual SOLIDWORKS design process. This not only paves the way to easily create and edit NC toolpaths and CNC strategies directly at the geometry of the product model, but is also provides the means for easy customization and reliable re-design of existing product models. The result is maximum versatility and flexibility in the design process, just immediately before the start of the CNC manufacturing. Users can manufacture single pieces or small batches of products (lot size 1) in the shortest possible time and in the same economic way as in their small or high-volume series. Field-proven, customized toolpaths and CNC strategies can be saved as templates and test cases for the efficient re-use in editable user databases.
