Technology Database Settings Guide in SOLIDWORKS CAM

The Technology Database (TechDB) is the intelligence behind the machining automation in SOLIDWORKS CAM. The knowledge-based machining technology, tooling details, cutting conditions and operation defaults saved in the Technology Database are used to generate operations automatically.

The TechDB is shipped along with SOLIDWORKS CAM contains data that is considered generally applicable to most machining environments. To gain full advantage of SOLIDWORKS CAM, you need to customize this data as per your best practices and machine tool infrastructure available at your end. This information can then be used to generate toolpaths on various types of features. Such a repository ensures uniformity and quality in the generated toolpaths. The machining information in the database is divided into these categories:

• Machine: All the CNC machines in your facility and the associated controller and tool crib.
• Tools: The tool library can contain all the tools in your facility.
• Cutting Parameters: Information for calculating feed rates and spindle speeds, stock materials and tool materials.
• Feature and Operations: The machining sequence for different types of features.

In this blog, you can learn some setting for the TechDB in SOLIDWORKS CAM.

How to launch the Technology Database?

You can use any one of the following methods to launch the Technology Database:

• Open Technology Database without opening SOLIDWORKS: you can use the File explorer to open the path: C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp 202X\SOLIDWORKS CAM\TechDBApp.

           Then double click with the application TechDB-App.exe

• Open Technology Database with opening SOLIDWORKS: you can Click on the Tools menu of SOLIDWORKS and select SOLIDWORKS CAM>>Technology Database from the cascading menu.

      Note: Please ensure the SOLIDWORKS CAM is active at SOLIDWORKS Add-ins.

• Open Technology Database with SOLIDWORKS CAM Command Manager: when SOLIDWORKS with a file opened, you can click on the Technology Database command button at SOLIDWORKS CAM Tab.
• How to create the customize TechDB file?

   

  At the time of installation with SOLIDWORKS CAM, there will be a default folder with TechDB.cwdb at C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS CAM 202X\TechDB.

  No matter which version or service pack, the default TechDB file are the same name, so I would like to advise you to create the customize TechDB file under your name or your company’s name.

  For the first step, you can just copy from the default TechDB file and rename it.

  

   How to manage database and import database with TechDB?

You will want to manage or import your customized database each time you update to a new version or service pack of SOLIDWORKS CAM.

To begin, please launch the Technology Database. You will need to select the Settings tab.

• Manage Database:

Under the Manage Database, click the Add icon.

Click on Browse and choose the default file location: C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS CAM 202x\TechDB

Select your customize TechDB file and click Open

Please click Set as active before you click with the Add

Until there is shown with “Database added successfully“, you will find your customized TechDB file is active. This message only stays visible for a few seconds so unless you are watching it finish, you will not see this message.

If you receive the message as the below picture, then you need to use import database

• Import Database: - Under the Settings, click on Import Database, then click with Browse to choose the default file location: C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS CAM 202x\TechDB

  - Select your customize TechDB file and click Open.

  - Ensure there is checked with Create Backup Copy.

  -After that, you can click on Import.

Wait for a while, until it was shown “Data migration is done successfully”, then you can double check your customize data with machine, tools... This message only stays visible for a few seconds so unless you are watching it finish, you will not see this message.

Please feel free to contact us if you want to know more about SOLIDWORKS CAM and CAMWorks. Thanks.