What is workholding security?
Workholding security is a setting in CAM Assist that describes how securely the part is clamped or fixtured, typically on a scale from very poor to excellent. It essentially correlates to theclamping force and stability of the setup. At one extreme, “Very Poor” might mean a delicate hold (e.g., a thin part in soft jaws) and at the other, “Excellent” means the part is rock-solid (e.g., a rigid vise with serrated jaws). CAM Assist uses this input to adjust cutting parameters: a lower security prompts gentler machining (smaller tools, lighter cuts), whereas high security allows more aggressive cuts.
Why does workholding security matter in CAM Assist?
This setting matters because it directly impacts the strategies and parameters CAM Assist will generate. If your part is flimsy or tenuously held (low security), aggressive cuts could cause it to vibrate, shift, or even pop out of the fixture. By telling CAM Assist the workholding is “Poor” or “Very Poor,” you’re instructing it to be cautious – it will choose, for instance, smaller depths of cut or slower feeds to minimize forces. Conversely, if you have an “Excellent” grip on the part, CAM Assist knows it can push closer to the limits (bigger tools, faster feeds) without risking part movement. This optimization is important for both safety and performance. It essentially helps the AI avoid planning a machining approach that your fixturing can’t handle. Shops often intuitively do this (experienced programmers go lighter when they sense a setup is weak); workholding security puts that logic into the software’s hands. It matters because ignoring workholding can lead to scrap or accidents – CAM Assist’s consideration of it leads to more reliable outcomes and can even improve efficiency by not being over-conservative when it’s not needed.
Where can I find / adjust workholding security in CAM Assist?
Workholding security is adjusted in the CAM Assist interface, usually on the General tab or a setup-specific settings section. It’s often presented as a slider or dropdown with levels like Very Poor, Poor, Moderate, Good, Very Good, Excellent. By default, it might be set to a middle value (Moderate). You can change it by moving the slider or selecting a level. For example, slide it toward “Very Poor” if your part is in a marginal holding situation (thin part, minimal clamping force) – CAM Assist will then, for example, limit cutting forces to around 50N in its calculations for that lowest setting. Slide to “Excellent” if you have a bombproof setup; CAM Assist might allow up to ~3000N of force in its most aggressive setting. The specific forces are under the hood, but the levels give you a qualitative handle. Once set, re-run or generate toolpaths; the effect will be baked into the chosen tools and feeds / speeds. If you have multiple setups, each might have its own workholding security setting (because maybe one setup is less secure than another). Adjust each accordingly. This way, you fine-tune the AI’s behavior to your fixturing reality.
What are the other terms workholding security could be known by?
- Clamping security level
- Fixturing strength setting
- Workholding stiffness/force indicator
Related articles to workholding security in CAM Assist
- What is the soft jaw designer? (improves workholding)
- What are undercuts? (often require secure fixturing)
- What are AI-driven cutting parameters? (they respond to workholding input)