Automation, Integration, Simulation: A Guide to Game-Changing CAD/CAM Trends

Automation, Integration, Simulation: A Guide to Game-Changing CAD/CAM Trends

12 Jun 2026 | CAD, CAD/CAM, CAM, ERP, General

Photo credits: Laser cutting at our client Ferrier (39), a specialist in fine sheet metal work, Stéphane Couchet ©

Shorter lead times, smaller production runs, more complex geometries, and a shortage of technical talent: mechanical workshops are facing an unprecedented accumulation of pressures. In this context, CAD and CAM software are no longer merely design or programming tools. They have become central to the operational performance of industrial companies.

But the sheer number of digital innovations makes it difficult to prioritize. AI, digital twins, additive manufacturing, integrated ERP—where to start… and why? To help clarify things, we spoke with the experts at TOPSOLID. Benoît Lallier, a specialist in CAD/CAM environments, and Alexis Jacquillard, an ERP integration expert, share their take on the major trends for 2026—all without beating around the bush, using concrete examples.

Automation: Say Goodbye to Manual Programming

The first major trend is the automation of repetitive tasks, both in design and machining. AI in the strict sense isn’t yet being used for CAM (with the timeline for the most advanced machining functions being around 2027–2028), but structured and pragmatic automation, available today.

On the CAD front: building on what we’ve already achieved

How much time do we waste redesigning components that we’ve modeled dozens of times? Benoît Lallier identifies this as one of the first levers to activate: the libraries of parameterized components. “If I have a catalog of cylinders from a supplier like Festo and, as a design firm, I need to use them regularly, rather than redesigning the cylinder each time, I add it to my library. Or I import the 3D file directly from the supplier’s website.”

>>>> See also – From the Design Office to the Workshop: How Can We Break Down Silos to Improve Production?

TopSolid also includes smart components that automate the CAD operations related to their placement. “When you place a screw to assemble two parts, it automatically creates the drill hole in the first part and the tapped hole in the second. On a full project, this saves dozens of minutes.”

To take things a step further, you can save generic workflows and operational scripts that can be reapplied to new geometry with just a few clicks, or develop custom automations using TopSolid’s APIs—for companies willing to invest a little time in development.

CAM: From the Tool Library to Boost Milling

The same principle of capitalization applies to machining. The cutting tool libraries centralize the parameters for each tool, whether you build your own database or import them directly from suppliers (Kennametal, Sandvik, Fraisa, etc.) via the ISO 13399 standard. “Some customers assign a dedicated person to create these libraries. The effort is made up front, and then the entire shop benefits from it.”

Once these foundations are in place, the benefits accelerate. A CNC program can be automatically reapplied to new geometry: If the part changes, the machining path is recalculated without starting from scratch, using associative mode. You can also duplicate an entire machining sequence from one part to another that is very similar. “It’s really just copy and paste. All you have to do is copy the relevant faces.”

Among the still underutilized strategies, Benoît Lallier cites Boost Milling (trochoidal machining). “It’s like going from a BMW to a Formula 1 car. You can save up to 70% of roughing time compared to a standard strategy. The main obstacle is often a lack of knowledge: customers who aren’t familiar with the technology don’t buy the right cutting tools. Those who give it a try never go back.”

Automated Manufacturing Files round out the picture. Instead of relying on verbal communication between the programmer and the operator, TopSolid automatically generates a structured document that includes processing times per operation, tool references, tolerances, and 2D drawings. “The operator arrives with a detailed list. Every time he turns a page, he knows exactly what to do. It’s very instructive.”

An Often-Overlooked Issue: The Transfer of Know-How

When an FAO expert retires, their years of experience go with them—unless they have been documented in libraries and recorded procedures.

That’s exactly what TopSolid makes possible. “New employees can reuse what their colleagues have developed, without having to become super-experts themselves.”

>>>>See also – Training Tomorrow’s Technicians Using Today’s Tools

From Silo to Digital Thread: CAD/CAM/ERP Integration as a Competitive Advantage

This is the most transformative trend of 2026—and one of the most underrated. In many workshops, CAD, CAM, and ERP still operate as three parallel systems that don’t really communicate with one another. The consequences are well known, but are often accepted as inevitable.

The Pain of Compartmentalization

Alexis Jacquillard sums it up clearly: “The ERP is the nerve center of a company. That’s where everything flows through. When you have independent databases that don’t use the same reference framework, you don’t know if a reference in one system corresponds to the same reference in the other. We may all be talking, but we’re not speaking the same language.”

Visible costs (re-entry, file conversions, duplicates) are just the tip of the iceberg. Silent errors are often more serious: a discrepancy between the design department’s model and what is actually manufactured, material requirements calculated based on an obsolete bill of materials, or information lost when transferring data from one system to another.

In large organizations, the role of “data manager” is emerging to ensure the consistency of databases. This is a real problem, and it comes at a cost.

What Integration Actually Changes

When the supply chain is based on a single data model, the benefits are measurable within the first few weeks. “Take the case of a manufacturer of specialized machinery. The sales representative takes an order, and the draftsman designs the machine. The production planning department doesn’t have to re-enter everything—it benefits directly from the draftsman’s work. From the design department to the production planning department, we easily save 50% of the time. And there are no data entry errors.”

The connection between FAO and ERP opens up a particularly powerful angle of analysis: the comparison between theoretical time and actual time. The machining time calculated by the CAM system serves as the baseline. Once production begins, the ERP system records the actual time logged by the operator. “If the CAM system consistently estimates three minutes but we’re systematically taking four, we need to figure out why. That shows us where there’s waste in the production process that we could address.”

The integration now covers the entire TOPSOLID ecosystem: CAD, TopSolid’Cam (machining), TopSolid’Cut (sheet metal fabrication), ShopFloor (shop floor management), PartCosting, and Inspection. These modules are natively connected to the ERP system: ShopFloor transmits purchase requirements to the ERP system, which then issues purchase orders and reports the quantities received.

Next step: a stronger integration with Inspection, allowing users to open TopSolid’Inspection directly from the ERP system and scan their drawings; the dimensions to be measured will then be automatically imported into the ERP system.

The “best-of-breed” argument: a direct response

Some industry leaders argue that putting together the best specialized components on the market is superior to an integrated suite. Alexis Jacquillard responds bluntly: “Sure, they can choose the best tools on the market. But they won’t be as well integrated as what we’re doing today. The integration is robust because it’s an internal standard, not a custom development. When customers request updates, we incorporate them, and everyone benefits. With a best-of-breed approach, it’s often a costly custom solution that will need to be refinanced with every new request.”

Added to this is a fundamental argument that current hiring challenges make more relevant than ever: “In the past, executives would say to themselves, ‘It’s no big deal—I’ll just hire someone to re-enter the data.’ Today, hiring at every level is difficult. These interconnections are simply tools that make the process easier. We’ve reached the point where it’s hard to understand why a system isn’t automated.”

Change management: the real obstacle

The main barrier to adopting an integrated system is not technical. It is human. “Changing ERP systems is like changing the way a company is managed. It’s natural to be afraid of that. But an ERP system has a lifespan of between 7 and 10 years. The real question is what we stand to lose by sticking with an outdated system.”

TOPSOLID supports this transition with training, workshops, and skills transfer, with timeframes ranging from three months for a direct production launch to six months for full migrations. These periods also often provide an opportunity to revamping data and processes: “We’re taking advantage of this change to get everything in order. Clients are realizing that their database needed a major cleanup.”

>>>See also See also – Producing Quickly and Well: Industrial SMEs Face the Challenge of Customer Deadlines

Digital Twins and Simulation: From Buzzword to On-the-Shop-Floor Reality

The term “digital twin” has become so overused that it deserves to be grounded in reality. In a machine shop, a digital twin is, above all, a faithful 3D representation of the machine tool, its immediate surroundings, and the parts being machined on it, with sufficient accuracy to ensure that the remote simulation is reliable.

Benoît Lallier explains: “The goal is to have a virtual 3D model of your machine tool so you can perform the most realistic simulation possible. That way, when I’m programming from my desk—without being at the machine—I can already know what the machine is going to do.”

Integrated simulation makes it possible to verify in advance that there are no collisions, to determine the precise cycle times used for costing and sales, to analyze material flows for a given production run, and to balance workloads across machines before the parts go into production. “At some point, the customer thinks to himself: ‘Hey, instead of running this part through the small machine, it would be better to use the one next to it.’ It seems obvious, but in a just-in-time system, it’s not always that simple.”

There are two concrete benefits. In the workshop, the focus time plummets: The operator arrives with a manufacturing specification that lists exactly which tools are to be assembled, along with their dimensions and settings. Outside the workshop, the machine can continue to produce while the programmer prepares the next program—background programming.

Simulation also protects equipment. We’re talking about machines worth hundreds of thousands of euros, cutting tools whose breakage results in immediate costs, and parts made of expensive materials that would end up as scrap in the event of an error. “The goal is to avoid breaking anything. We can quickly detect whether a path will cause a collision before the actual machine is even touched.”

The Post-Processor as the Cornerstone

It is this feature that converts the simulated paths into machine code recognized by the CNC system, without the need for manual corrections. “This is a capability TOPSOLID has honed over more than 40 years. The idea is to deliver a turnkey solution: the customer clicks ‘Send Code’ and doesn’t have to do anything else.”

Additive Manufacturing, 5-Axis Machining, and Hybrid Processes

5-axis machining is becoming more widespread, and with it, the complexity of production runs and strategies. Hybrid machines, capable of alternating between additive and subtractive manufacturing, open up possibilities for geometries that were previously unattainable, while reducing the number of workpiece setups.

These developments do not call into question the previous principles: having a CAD/CAM solution capable of managing these advanced processes without any breaks in the digital chain remain essential for effective implementation. A 5-axis route generated in a tool that is not integrated with the ERP system does not allow you to leverage actual data or fine-tune the associated costs.

TOPSOLID has also integrated robotics in its environment, treating the robot like a conventional machine tool. “We didn’t want to make a distinction,” explains Benoît Lallier. “A customer who programs parts on their machining centers should be able to switch to the robot without having to relearn anything. Aside from the specific configuration settings related to the rotational axes, the logic is the same.”

Collaboration and Skill Development: People Remain at the Center

All of the trends mentioned above have one thing in common: they only achieve their full potential if the teams using them are trained, supported, and able to collectively build on their practices.

So the issue isn’t just about choosing the right tools, but about choosing a software provider capable of providing long-term support: during initial deployment, when upgrading to new versions, and whenever a new business need arises. Furthermore, the new generations of technicians trained on TopSolid represent a tangible asset for companies looking to hire. “The same logic applies everywhere. When they join a company, there’s no learning curve.”

How can we turn these trends into a competitive advantage?

The point isn’t to chase after every innovation at once. It’s to clarify its own challenges (timelines, quality, flexibility, cost control) and map out its current digital chain. Where are the gaps? Where are we losing time, information, and profit margins?

The levers often become apparent on their own: CAD/CAM integration if programming is a bottleneck; connection to the ERP system if re-entering data and variances between theoretical and actual costs are costly; and simulation if fine-tuning on the shop floor takes a long time and scrap is frequent. In each of these cases, The effectiveness of these tools depends directly on the consistency of the digital chain that connects them.

That is precisely where the strength of an integrated suite like TOPSOLID lies: not in being the best component in each segment, but in having all the components work together seamlessly within a common reference framework.

Would you like to assess which automation or integration solutions are best suited for your workshop? Contact our teams for a detailed discussion about your specific situation.

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Production Data: Why Industrial SMEs Need to Break Their Reliance on Excel

Production Data: Why Industrial SMEs Need to Break Their Reliance on Excel

9 Jan 2026 | CAD, CAM, ERP, General, PDM

Photo credit: MSK (51), a metalwork specialist that designs and manufactures custom staircases, gates, and glass canopies, Stéphane Couchet ©

Excel remains the preferred management tool in many industrial SMEs. Versatile and familiar to everyone, it seems to meet all needs. However, behind this apparent simplicity lie major risks to competitiveness and compliance. Between data entry errors, multiple versions, and a lack of real-time traceability, spreadsheets are showing their limitations when it comes to meeting today’s market demands. It’s time to explore alternatives tailored to the realities of SMEs.

Excel: The Indispensable Swiss Army Knife for Industrial SMEs

Used in most industrial small and medium-sized enterprises, Excel is mastered by all generations of shop floor supervisors and operators. It is recognized for its remarkable versatility, as it allows users to manage quotes, calculate costs, plan machine utilization, track production orders (POs), analyze overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and even create dashboards. All of this can be done without any additional investment, since the tool is included in the Office suite, which is often purchased for all administrative and sales tasks.

When Flexibility Becomes a Trap

However, despite its widespread use at all levels of the workshop (from operators to managers), Excel also has its limitations. Among the challenges frequently encountered are broken formulas, broken links between files, and data accidentally overwritten—and this list is by no means exhaustive. Add to this the proliferation of versions, which can cause conflicts in document management and, by extension, in the production chain.

The consequences are numerous and costly:

  • time spent on manual consolidation and cross-checks,
  • decisions based on outdated data,
  • the growing complexity of the process for welcoming newcomers, who struggle to navigate the multitude of files and data recorded in an increasingly fragile system.

Audits and Traceability: When Excel Puts Your Certifications at Risk

While Excel has been widely adopted and has proven its worth on the shop floor, it also appears to have reached the end of its useful life and is no longer suited to the industry’s requirements. Traceability standards are indeed becoming increasingly stringent, yet it remains impossible to guarantee data integrity with Excel.

One thing leading to another, customer relations are also compromised due to longer response times when complaints are filed.

The result: companies risk losing their certifications, being excluded from bids, and facing contractual penalties. It’s a tricky combination with serious financial repercussions.

>>> See also – Industrial Traceability: How Can You Improve the Quality of Your Products and Processes?

Technical and Financial Risks of Excel

Aside from potential data entry errors, the data entered into Excel actually comes from design and manufacturing systems: CAD drawings, bills of materials, and production work orders. This manual re-entry breaks the digital continuity and creates a dangerous gap between design and production.

In this scenario, it is possible that the design department might make a change to dimensions or materials that is not reflected in the workshop’s Excel files. This discrepancy would result in production being launched based on outdated information and lead to nonconformities, whereas TopSolid automatically updates bills of materials and work instructions.

Similarly, specifying a new material requires a manual recalculation of machining times and costs. In Excel, simply omitting a single cell can cause the quote to be truncated. However, with TopSolid, the recalculation is automatic thanks to the material libraries.

Migrating Without Turning Everything Upside Down: A Gradual and Controlled Transition

Given these findings, the temptation to maintain the status quo remains strong. Transitioning to a new system is daunting: it requires a significant investment, faces resistance to change, and carries the risk of disrupting production during the transition… However, a methodical and gradual approach makes it possible to ensure a successful digital transformation without disrupting the workshop’s operations.

The first step is to identify the critical processes that need to be secured as a priority. Work orders, bills of materials, and production schedules are generally the top three priorities. Once these foundational data sets are reliably stored in a centralized system, they eliminate a large portion of the risks mentioned earlier. Rather than undertaking a radical digitization effort, it is therefore better to start with a limited scope (a pilot workshop, a production line) and then expand gradually.

When it comes to choosing a tool, small and medium-sized businesses often assume they need a complex and expensive ERP system to take the plunge. However, digital continuity solutions such as CAD, CAM, PDM, and ERP—like TopSolid—offer a logical alternative: they secure and automate data updates throughout the entire data lifecycle. This eliminates the need to re-enter information from CAD models into Excel.

The benefits become apparent quickly: a drastic reduction in data entry errors, the time spent searching for information cut by two or three, and renewed confidence in shared data.

However, change management remains crucial. Teams need to be trained, involved in setting up the new tools, and see their initial successes recognized in order to better embrace this change.

Finally, such a change is not intended to eliminate Excel from the landscape. Rather, it is about restoring Excel to its proper role: that of a tool for ad hoc analysis and simulation, rather than a mission-critical management system.

>>> See also – CFAO: 3 Reasons Not to Neglect Customer Service and Training When Choosing a Solution

From Theory to Practice: A Successful Transformation in 6 Months

Several success stories illustrate how such a transition can be successfully managed. Generally speaking, the starting point is the same: dozens of Excel files deemed critical, several hours spent each day manually consolidating data, and recurring errors despite procedures that are considered well-designed.

The turning point came during a major client audit, when it proved impossible to quickly retrieve the complete history of a defective batch because the data was scattered across several spreadsheets… whose versions were unclear.

Management then initiates a structured process, which involves mapping information flows, identifying truly sensitive data, and analyzing available solutions. This is where TopSolid stands out, with its ability to natively integrate CAD, CAM, and document management into a unified environment. The strength of this approach lies in restoring digital continuity from design to production.

What about the migration? It’s a gradual process: first the engineering department, then the teams in charge of the processes, and finally the shop floor operators.

Results are visible as early as 6 months after the solution is deployed.

  • No more version errors in the drawings, as every change is tracked and approved in the system.
  • The traceability of work orders is now comprehensive, from launch to delivery.
  • Response times to customer requests are significantly reduced thanks to the centralization and accessibility of information.
  • The next audit is streamlined thanks to optimal document management.

Beyond the numerical metrics and the commercial and financial impacts, it is the cultural transformation that stands out. Teams are more open to collaboration thanks to a single, reliable database. In addition, skill development is accelerated and valued through operators’ direct access to 3D models and up-to-date product lines. The challenge is no longer to search for the right information but to leverage the full wealth of available data with just a few clicks to get the most out of it.

As data becomes increasingly strategic in the industry, securing it is no longer an option but a necessity for remaining competitive. The question is no longer whether to move beyond Excel, but when and how to do so intelligently. Industrial SMEs that take the plunge with a tailored solution like TopSolid quickly discover that they do not lose flexibility. On the contrary, they gain in reliability, peace of mind, and competitiveness.

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Multi-client outsourcing: the thorny issue of traceability

Multi-client outsourcing: the thorny issue of traceability

28 Nov 2025 | CAD, CAM, General, PDM

Regardless of the industry, multi-client subcontracting often involves a large number of clients, each with their own requirements and specifications. Paradoxically, the subcontractor must ensure flawless traceability for each client… without increasing the number of processes.

This challenge raises a strategic issue: traceability is becoming a prerequisite for access to regulated markets, while also serving as a driver of competitiveness for state-of-the-art production lines.

Is it possible to scale up traceability without making your processes more complex? If so, how? That’s what we’ll explore.

Multi-Client Traceability: Balancing Regulatory Requirements and Real-World Challenges

In modern industry, each sector has its own traceability standards.

  • The automotive industry requires comprehensive tracking of batches and manufacturing processes.
  • The aerospace industry requires comprehensive documentation of raw materials and inspection procedures.
  • The medical industry requires a detailed history of every component used in the manufacture of a device.

All of these requirements—which are legitimate from a safety and quality standpoint—result in documentation formats that are specific to each client. This is a daily challenge for subcontractors. Which version of the CAD drawing was used for this part delivered six months ago? Where can the material certificate for this batch be found? How can we prove that the modification requested by Client A does not affect Client B’s production? These questions, seemingly trivial, require hours of searching across disparate systems…

However, the business risk is very real. A lack of traceability during an audit can lead to the suspension of a certification, halt an urgent shipment, or—worse yet—result in the loss of a contract!

Thus, as buyers reduce their supplier pools, the ability to demonstrate flawless traceability is becoming a selection criterion just as important as price or lead times.

>>> See also – Industrial Traceability: How Can You Improve the Quality of Your Products and Processes?

The Pitfalls of Artisanal Traceability in a Multi-Project Environment

Many companies believe they have their traceability under control using Excel spreadsheets and shared folders. While this approach may seem reassuring due to its apparent simplicity, it quickly reveals its limitations when faced with the complexity of managing multiple clients, since:

  • Each project generates its own files,
  • Each customer has its own set of terms,
  • Every change creates a new version, and it is important to keep track of these versions.

The proliferation of reference systems thus becomes a major source of errors. An operator uses an old version of a drawing stored locally. A quality manager spends two hours piecing together the history of a nonconformity from scattered emails. A process engineer maintains his own change tracking spreadsheet, which is disconnected from the official quality system…

The most profound and serious impact remains invisible in traditional metrics: the time technical teams spend on administrative tasks such as searching for, organizing, and updating documentation. Rare and costly skills are thus tied up in activities that add no value, to the detriment of continuous improvement and process innovation. This ad hoc approach reaches its limits as soon as the company exceeds about ten active clients, triggering a snowball effect:

  • an increase in traceability errors,
  • stressful audits,
  • a decline in the confidence placed in the company by its clients.

Industrialization Without Adding Complexity: The Keys to Effective Traceability

For example, an optimized process makes it possible to automatically track a customer change request step by step. In other words, from the receipt of the email to the delivery of the modified parts, including the adaptation of drawings, technical approval, updating of work instructions, and notification of the production teams.

Overall, effective traceability is based on simple but rigorous principles.

1. Centralize all technical data in a single repository

CAD drawings, manufacturing specifications, inspection reports, material certificates… Everything must be accessible from a single point of entry, with access rights tailored to each user.

2. Automate links between documents

When a drawing is updated, the associated product line must be automatically identified as requiring a revision. When an inspection is performed, it must be automatically linked to the corresponding production order. These automatic links eliminate gaps in traceability and prevent updates from being overlooked.

3. Manage versions and access natively

Every change must be time-stamped, digitally signed, and archived. Best practices require the ability to instantly determine who approved what, when, and why. This version control must be transparent to users without adding to their daily workload.

>>> See also – Industrial Production Monitoring: At the Heart of Process Automation

Technical Data Management as the Foundation of Modern Traceability

An integrated product data management (PDM) solution transforms the “challenge” of traceability into a competitive advantage. And for good reason: in this type of environment, native integration between CAD, CAM, and production management ensures complete digital continuity, from the initial sketch to the shipment of the finished product.

This unified approach makes it possible to automatically generate compliance files tailored to each client’s requirements. Specifically, the system extracts the relevant information and presents it in the expected format—all through automation. In addition, material certificates, inspection reports, and change histories are consolidated in real time.

The return on investment for such a solution can be measured in concrete terms: companies equipped with integrated PDM systems generally see a significant reduction in the time spent on quality-related administrative tasks. Audits, once dreaded, become mere formalities since all the information is available, structured, and verifiable with just a few clicks.

>>> See also – PDM: What Is It?

In this ecosystem, solutions such as TopSolid deliver unique value by natively integrating document management into the very heart of the CAD/CAM environment. Traceability becomes a natural part of the design and manufacturing process. This enables subcontractors, regardless of their size, to meet the most stringent requirements without sacrificing their operational agility.

Need a demo? Our teams would be happy to show you our solutions. Contact us!

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Mecachrome Streamlines Its Shop Floor Workflows with TopSolid’ShopFloor

Mecachrome Streamlines Its Shop Floor Workflows with TopSolid’ShopFloor

25 Aug 2025 | CAM, General, Steel

©Mecachrome

With over 80 years’ experience in high-precision manufacturing, the Mecachrome group has taken its digital transformation to the next level. At its Montauban site in southwest France, integrating TopSolid’ShopFloor has secured NC transfers and significantly improved the traceability of operations. We take a look back at a high added-value project.

A challenging industrial context

The Mecachrome site in Montauban, which specialises in complex turning, is a key player for customers including Airbus, Safran and Thales. Working in build-to-print mode, it combines technical expertise and extremely demanding quality requirements. However, despite the site’s top-level functional expertise, the NC program transfer methods had some weak spots.

Before the project, files were sent via a wifi network, and signal losses, incomplete transfers and doubts about which version was being used were commonplace. Those contingencies had become unacceptable in such a critical environment.

A targeted solution with TopSolid’ShopFloor

As part of its policy of structuring workshop flows, Mecachrome opted for the TopSolid’ShopFloor solution, and more specifically, the Program Manager module. The aim was to secure NC transfers, improve traceability and centralise file management.

“We were looking for a simple, secure solution that would fit seamlessly into our TopSolid environment.”
— Thibaud Luvisutto, Industrialisation Manager

The group selected a tool native to the TopSolid’Cam environment, capable of managing machine-specific access rights, time-stamping every action and tracking all users.

A speedy roll-out, a cultural shift

From a technical standpoint, the project was rolled out in record time: software installation, wiring of the machines, entering of the profile settings, training and so on. It only took a few days to get the system up and running.

However, in terms of use and practices, the change was more significant. For operators, it meant switching from an informal software program to a structured process involving validations and checks. They needed time to get used to the new framework. However, the benefits quickly became apparent.

“It’s a more rigid process, but it’s easy to see the benefits in terms of traceability.”
— Sébastien, NC programmer

Concrete results day after day

NC programs are now centralised and secured, and every transfer is clearly identified. As a result, there are fewer errors, teams are reassured, and it is much easier to analyse incidents and learn from them.

“We now have a real overview of the files sent. We can identify the origin of any anomaly.” — Sébastien, NC programmer

This first step paves the way for more far-reaching digitisation. Mecachrome already plans to explore other modules, such as tool supervision and workshop management.

The range of CAD, CAM, ERP and PDM TopSolid solutions

Making the shift to a smart workshop

The Montauban site has achieved a strategic milestone by adopting TopSolid’ShopFloor. This project embodies a modern vision of the workshop: smarter, more structured, yet fully geared to operational performance.

“We can clearly see the potential to go further, without creating any extra work for our teams.” — Thibaud Luvisutto, Industrialisation Manager

You may also enjoy: Discover the new features in the 2025 version of TopSolid’ShopFloor

Want to know more about TopSolid’ShopFloor and its workshop applications?
Try out the free version and/or request a demo now.

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Your complete guide to machining

Your complete guide to machining

17 Jul 2023 | CAM

Machining plays an essential role in the production of high-quality precision parts. Whether you are an engineering professional or just curious, and want to learn more about this industrial technique, then this complete guide to machining is perfect for you.

The definition of machining

What does machining mean?

Machining is a manufacturing process that consists of shaping a rough material, such as metal, plastic or wood, by removing material to make a finished part with precise dimensions and specific characteristics. Machining is one of the most widely-used methods used in industry, from automotive and aerospace, to energy and electronics.

The main goal of machining is to create complex shapes and finished surfaces with a high degree of precision. This can include the creation of cavities, grooves, threads, drill holes, flat surfaces or curves, according to the technical specifications of the end product.

One of the main advantages of machining is its versatility. Machining can be used to produce a broad range of parts, from simple individual components, to more complex assemblies. In addition, machining is well adapted to different types of materials, in particular ferrous and non-ferrous metals, technical plastics and composites.

Close-up on the machines

The machining process involves the use of a machine tool, such as a lathe, a milling machine, a grinding machine or a drill, which is precisely controlled to progressively and methodically remove the material. Different cutting tools, such as drills, milling cutters, reamers and blades are used, according to the specific needs of the machining operation.

Machining has evolved over the years, with the introduction of new technologies and techniques. Modern machine tools have become increasingly automated, featuring numerical control systems and advanced sensors that improve the precision, productivity and safety of machining operations. These days, most companies use numerically controlled machine tools, in combination with a computerized system (CAM), that partially or totally automates the machining procedure.

What is a machining technician?

A machining technician is a qualified professional, specialized in the execution of machining operations. They are responsible for the preparation and installation of the machine tools, the choice of the right cutting tools, the adjustment of the cutting parameters and the execution of the machining operations. To do this, they must be capable of understanding and interpreting technical drawings, selecting the right machining methods for the specifications and using the machines and measuring instruments with precision in order to guarantee conformity with the required tolerances.

In addition to their technical skills, machining technicians must have a sound understanding of the materials, the machining processes and safety standards. They must be capable of analyzing potential problems, solving manufacturing defects and taking corrective measures to guarantee the quality of the machined parts. With the rapid evolution of the machining industry, machining technicians must keep up to date with the new technologies and progress in the field. They may have to work on advanced machine tools, integrate numerical control systems and use computer-assisted design (CAD) software to optimize the machining processes.

 

What are the four basic machining operations? Turning

This technique uses a lathe to produce cylindrical, conical or complex-shaped parts, such as threads or grooves. The part to be machined is fixed on a rotating spindle, while the cutting tool moves along the part to remove material and produce the required shape.

Milling

Milling consists of using a rotary milling machine to remove material and create complex shapes, such as grooves, flat surfaces, pockets or contours. Milling machines can be used for 2D or 3D machining, depending on the movements of the part and the cutting tool.

Note that the milling of flat surfaces consists of using a special milling tool to produce smooth and precise flat surfaces. The milling of flat surfaces is often used to produce the bearing or reference surfaces of parts.

Drilling / boring / tapping

Drilling consists of making holes in a part with a drill bit. The drill bit turns and penetrates the part, removing material in order to make a hole of a precise diameter and depth. A conventional drill or a more advanced machine tool can be used for drilling operations.

Tapping makes internal threads inside a hole that has already been drilled. The tapping tool cuts thread-shaped grooves inside the hole, so that bolts and other threaded parts can be screwed into the hole.

Finally, boring increases and improves the quality of a hole that has already been drilled in a part. This operation is generally used in order to obtain very precise tolerances, high quality surface finishes or specific dimensions.

Grinding

Grinding is a high-precision machining operation used to produce very smooth surfaces and precise dimensions. This operation consists of using a grinder with abrasive grinding wheels to remove small quantities of material and obtain very strict tolerances.

These machining operations form the basis of numerous other more advanced machining techniques. It is important to choose the right machining operation, according to the specifications of the part to be machined and the required tolerances and geometric characteristics.

 

The range of CAD, CAM and PDM TopSolid solutions

What is the future of machining?

There are several major trends in the world of machining.

Increased automation

Machining is becoming more and more automated, with the introduction of robots and smart manufacturing systems. Modern machine tools are equipped with advanced sensors, numerical control systems and artificial intelligence technologies that optimize the production processes, improve precision and speed, and reduce human errors.

  • See also – “Boost Milling: how to save time in your machining cycles”.

3D printing for machining

3D printing is being used more and more in machining, especially for the production of complex parts. Metallic 3D printing technologies can be used to produce parts with complex internal geometries, thereby reducing the need for additional machining operations. The integration of 3D printing and traditional machining opens up opportunities for more flexible design and manufacturing.

Hybrid additive manufacturing

Hybrid additive manufacturing combines 3D printing with traditional machining. This approach can build parts with complex structures using 3D printing, and then performing machining operations to obtain finished surfaces, precise tolerances or additional functionality.

The integration of artificial intelligence

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in machining is on the rise. AI can be used to analyze the data from machine tools in real time, optimize the cutting parameters, detect manufacturing defects and improve the overall efficiency of the machining process.

Sustainability and ecological responsibility

In the future, machining will also focus on sustainability and ecological responsibility. Companies will attempt to reduce their environmental footprint by adopting machining techniques that consume less energy, by using recyclable materials and optimizing their processes to reduce waste.

Irrespective of your business, from medical and aerospace, to general or precision mechanics, molds or progressive dies, clock making, optics or welded parts, TopSolid’Cam can meet all your machining needs. Our different modules offer a broad selection of technical solutions to meet your 2D and 3D milling machining requirements, with four of five axes, positioned or continuous, as well as for turning and bar turning. Want to find out more? Then get in touch!

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Making tool management simple – Is it possible?

Making tool management simple – Is it possible?

7 Apr 2022 | CAD, CAD/CAM, CAM, CAD

If producing machined parts for your manufacturing tools is a complex process, should the system that is supposed to make it more efficient be a “necessary evil”? Considering the cost of stopping production because a part is missing from the tool magazine, the necessity of a good tool management system seems obvious, but it does not have to be complicated as it should be designed to make your processes more efficient and safer. Here is how.

1) “Tool Management”: what do we mean by that?

Tool management encompasses physical tool management in a workshop as well as all the technical data attached to each tool and component used in your manufacturing process. This is usually handled by a dedicated software designed to assist machine parts manufacturing by automatically loading technical data into the CAD/CAM system as well as managing tools’ and components’ physical inventory.

Tool management becomes even more important when considering next-generation CAD/CAM software. Based on 3D modeling, machine kinematics, advanced simulation and many other tools needed to create high-precision machined parts, a lot of data is generated to ensure that the products coming off your assembly lines are of the highest quality.

This data needs to be accurate, up-to-date, available, and ready to be retrieved. This way, you avoid inaccuracies and save time and money in the overall process, which also means improving profits.

2) Challenges that come with tool management

Since tools and components for manufacturing processes are a very large and complex topic, one of the biggest challenges is the interface to get the 3D data into the CAD/CAM application. Indeed, in addition to the 3D graphic, a tool also contains many parameters and functions in space that form the basis of the toolpath algorithm in CAM. If there is a single faulty parameter, the operation in CAM is invalid and cannot be generated.

Another challenge is that most of the available solutions on the market only work by pure database application, which means that you only get a graphic view (and not a 3D visualization) of the part to be produced. This makes it confusing and complicated to use, especially for occasional users. Most of these solutions do not facilitate 3D data management or even offer a functional interface for CAM applications.

3) The benefits of a good tool management solution

If all the data for each tool and component are centrally managed, any information can be retrieved at any time and from anywhere in the company. In addition, good tool management ensures that all references and back references are stored, not only for transmission to the CAM system, but also for all existing NC programs. This allows you to better plan for new programs as well as improve change management.

A good tool management solution also provides you with a real time picture of your tool magazine on the shop floor, allowing you to directly synchronize your machine magazine with your CAM environment. Therefore, by centralizing production data, you can optimize your workshop organization and increase overall productivity by:

·       Reducing machine set-up lead time

·       Improving traceability of program modifications

·       Providing precise tool location

·       Monitoring the use and wear of tools

4) Advice for beginners

If you are thinking about implementing a tool management system, you should look for a solution that will help you to efficiently manage your tool components, your assembled tools, their life cycle, and is running on a single data source that is always easily and readily accessible. But above all, it should be adapted to your activity!

The tool management solution you consider should be able to adapt to your existing processes, workflows, and growth strategy by being completely modular and scalable. Think big in order to be able to implement additional modules in the future!

You should also be able to build on your existing NC data. As you are not starting from scratch, your tool management solution should automatically take into account your existing data in an intelligent way. Indeed, you cannot afford to stop production while you fill in and set up the database. The system must be able to connect existing data, learn and expand while using it, and integrate it step by step.

5) Why TopSolid’ShopFloor can answer your needs in terms of tool management

What makes TopSolid really unique on the market is that there is no interface between the tool management system and the CAM application. TopSolid’ShopFloor is a product that is completely based on TopSolid’PDM as are all TopSolid solutions. Thus, components and tools are controlled by revision, oriented towards properties and BOMs like a “standard” part or assembly and are fully associable with all modules available in TopSolid (CAM, Design, Draft, …).

To easily create components and assemblies, TopSolid provides libraries to create your own components from fully parameterized ISO 13399 models. Of course, you can also import and use supplier data. TopSolid’ShopFloor supports all data, even data from other tool management systems.

Searching for components and creating assemblies are simple and can be managed via TopSolid’ShopFloor Tool Manager. The fully graphical drag and drop assembly process is very user friendly and is a great help in daily activities.

In other words, a system that:

  • has no interface
  • does not translate or transform any data to create the toolpath
  • builds the data source on the TopSolid core

We can 100% guarantee that a tool defined in the TopSolid environment is functional throughout the process, from CAM to presetting and machining.

TOPSOLID is a leading CAD/CAM software company in the world. With more than 35 years of experience, we are able to offer fully integrated CAD/CAM solutions adapted to your industry, whether it is in mechanics (machines, tools, etc.), sheet metal or wood industry. Wherever a machine interacts with the material to be machined, whether to shape or produce a part, we have an adapted, innovative, and unique solution. To learn more, contact us!

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