CAMWorks 2026: Automating Swiss Machining for Faster, Safer Production

This article summarizes the key points from a production machining webinar presented by HCL CAMWorks.

Image from the 2026 CAMWorks webinar with PM.

Swiss-style CNC machines are celebrated for their precision and speed, enabling tight tolerances on small‑diameter, long parts that would be challenging on a conventional lathe. However, the mechanical complexity of these machines has historically made programming laborious and error‑prone. In the recent webinar, Mark Bissell, senior technical specialist at HCL Software, showcased how CAMWorks 2026 tackles these pain points with a suite of automation tools built specifically for Swiss machining.

Key Takeaways

1. Native Swiss Machining Support Cuts Programming Time by 70%+ – CAMWorks 2026 now includes built‑in support for advanced Swiss‑style CNC machines, fully integrated within SolidWorks. Automatic Feature Recognition (AFR) identifies over 20 machinable features in seconds, while intelligence‑based machining generates operations automatically, dramatically reducing manual effort.
2. Full Machine Simulation Identifies Issues Before the First Cut – The new simulation capability runs a complete machine model—including the body, tooling, and part—directly in SolidWorks. Programmers can visualize every operation, detect potential collisions, and resolve sequencing problems ahead of setup, a critical advantage for Swiss machines where tool‑post spacing and channel timing are tight.
3. Segmentation Manager Automates Long‑Part Machining – Long parts often require segmentation to keep stock supported within the guide bushing. The Segmentation Manager automatically divides operations when a split plane is positioned, instantly updating toolpaths and eliminating a major programming burden.
4. Full Associativity Keeps Programs Current with Design Changes – Because CAMWorks is fully integrated with SolidWorks, any geometry modification triggers an automatic rebuild of toolpaths. Bissell demonstrated live by altering a part nose profile and regenerating the entire program in seconds—vital for environments with frequent engineering changes.
5. Flexible Packages for Diverse Shop Needs – HCL released two new packages alongside the Swiss machining update: CAMWorks Turning Premium (turning, mill‑turn, Sync Manager, and Swiss machining) and CAMWorks Ultimate (adds four‑ and five‑axis simultaneous milling for shops requiring the full spectrum of advanced capabilities).

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