Milling Solutions with iMachining® Technology

Cut cycle times, boost tool life and achieve first-part success directly inside of your favorite CAD program

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

SolidCAM Milling

SolidCAM’s Milling modules provide a streamlined, intuitive interface for defining CNC machining operations directly from parts, assemblies, and sketch geometry.

Whether you are programming 2.5D prismatic parts, standard 3-axis jobs, indexial 4/5-axis, or full simultaneous 5-axis machining, SolidCAM Milling offers unmatched flexibility to scale and grow with your business.

iMachining® – Faster, Smarter, Stronger

Available in all milling packages, iMachining technology leverages patented algorithms and intelligent toolpath strategies to dramatically reduce cycle times while extending tool life.

Why Choose SolidCAM Milling with iMachining

Cut Cycle Times by up to 70%

Machine parts faster thanks to optimized tool engagement, constant chip load, and high-speed strategies that minimize wasted motion.

Lower Costs Through Longer Tool Life

Adaptive feeds and speeds, constant load machining, and optimized cutting angles protect tools from premature wear and reduce replacement costs.

Reduce Programming Effort and Errors

Automation tools like feature recognition and intelligent wizards minimize manual setup, saving time and reducing the chance of mistakes.

Milling + iMachining Videos

Milling + iMachining Videos

SolidCAM Sim5X & iMachining 3D in Action

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CNC Software - iMachining Aerospace Part - SolidCAM iMachining

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CNC Milling Software - iMachining CAMvolution - SolidCAM iMachining

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SolidCAM 5-Axis CNC Milling

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SolidCAM Rotary Machining

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SolidCAM Milling Toolpath on a 5-Axis GROB CNC Machine

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Roughing an Aluminum Rim with iMachining

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FAST iMachining Roughing Toolpath

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Key Features

Check out the standout features you get with Milling + iMachining, including support for 2.5D, 3-axis, and advanced axis work in SolidCAM:

iMachining Technology Wizard

Calculates optimized feeds, speeds, and stepovers automatically for your specific machine, material, and tooling.

SolidCAM Toolkit

Advanced tool management with 3D imports, shaped tools, assemblies, smart cutting conditions, and fully linked components.

Process Templates

Save and reuse complete operation sets to program new parts faster, with consistent results every time.

Full Machine Simulation

Provides accurate, collision-checked simulations of machines, fixtures, and toolpaths before actual machining.

High Speed Machining

Provides powerful roughing strategies (contour, hatch, hybrid rib-roughing, rest-roughing) plus finishing paths with minimized retractions and smooth lead-ins and outs.

Simultaneous 5-Axis Strategies

Includes swarf cutting, blade and port machining, contour 5-axis, and advanced collision avoidance for complex shapes.

Compare SolidCAM Milling Packages

Packages

Milling

Advanced

3D High Performance

5 Axis

Prismatic Milling

Prismatic milling refers to machining parts whose features lie mostly on flat or vertical faces, with features like pockets, slots, bosses, and islands. SolidCAM provides prismatic part-machining strategies that integrate Constant-Z and 3D constant step-over methods to smartly recognize flat walls and levels from the CAD model and process them in an optimized order.

3+2 Indexing

3+2 indexing is a method where the rotary axis (or axes) is fixed (indexed) into a position so that machining can proceed using 3 linear axes (X, Y, Z) from that orientation. For example, using “Auto 3+2 Roughing” or “3+2 THSR Hatch/Contour” strategies: SolidCAM detects undercut areas that can be accessed once the part is indexed, defines machining directions, sets clearance & machining levels, tool & pass parameters, etc., to produce efficient roughing through these indexed orientations

3D Surfacing

3D Surfacing refers to finishing or machining of complex, non-planar surfaces (curved surfaces, fillets, undercuts, blended areas, etc.) rather than purely prismatic or flat-faced geometry. The HSS (High Speed Surfacing) module is a good example: it lets you select surfaces (one or many), even undercuts, drive toolpaths along them, control lead-ins/outs, avoid gouging, and get smooth flowing finishes without needing to define lots of extra boundary geometry. It takes standard tools or shaped tools and applies optimal toolpath strategies for surface finish quality

Toolpath Simulation

Multiple toolpath simulators allow for accurate representation of in-process stock and target along with collision and clash detection. Supports wide range of machine kinematics from 3 Axis to advanced multi-channel machines.

iMachining 2D

iMachining 2D is a patented milling module for efficient 2.5D geometry, delivering dramatic reductions in cycle time (up to ~70%) and much longer tool life. It provides morphing-spiral toolpaths, rest machining, finishing, and feature recognition (pockets, open/closed geometries, islands). Automatically optimizes feeds, speeds, tool entry etc., including avoidance of undercuts and “air cuts.”

Auto Deburring

Edge Breaking (or “Edge Deburring”) creates a deburring tool path on the outer edges of part geometries. This operation helps with removing sharp edges or burrs that occur after machining along straight or non-tangent outer surfaces — edges that could otherwise affect functionality or safety.

Virtual Machine Simulation

Preview and simulate the full kinematics of your CNC machine - moving axes, tool holders, fixtures, and other components - so that all motion (linear and rotary) behaves as it would in real life before running anything on the actual machine.

iMachining 3D

iMachining 3D builds on iMachining technology for full 3D parts (molds, complex/prismatic surfaces). It uses roughing + rest-rough, full-depth step-downs, smart step-ups, localized machining, and dynamically updated stock models. It also avoids air cuts, orders toolpaths for minimal retracts / positioning moves, and automatically adjusts cutting conditions. Cycle time savings are very high.

Free Form 3D Machining

Designed for complex, non-prismatic geometries, this solution excels at producing parts with flowing, curved, and sculpted surfaces - ideal for molds, dies, medical implants, aerospace components, and artistic or industrial designs.

Simultaneous 5 Axis

Supports advanced tool axis control, collision avoidance (tool & holder), multiple linking/lead/lag/side-tilt strategies, and special tool geometries (barrel, oval, tapered). It includes operations for edge breaking/trimming, contour 5-axis, swarf machining, blade/port machining, conversion of 3D/HSM toolpaths to 5-axis, etc. Very suited for complex geometry and high precision.

Solid Probe

This module gives CNC machines probing capability for set up, measurement, and verification on the machine. Features include Home definition (with many cycles), On-Machine Verification, tool presetter support, breakage detection, easy geometry selection from the solid model, preview of probe tool motion, and synchronization of probe + machining operations. Visual feedback via Machine Simulation helps avoid damage to probes.

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