SolidCAM SolidShop

By bringing together programming, documentation, communication, monitoring, and reporting, SolidShop enables manufacturers to boost productivity, eliminate mistakes, minimise downtime, transition to a fully paperless workflow, and gain complete traceability throughout their operations.

Manufacturers have long sought a cost-effective, practical, and proven way to digitise and control the shop floor. SolidShop is SolidCAM’s response, purpose-built for production environments and offering:

• Support for both legacy and modern CNC machines
• Fast deployment with short return-on-investment cycles
• Scalable capabilities that expand as your business grows

CIMCO Edit delivers a powerful NC editing platform that blends advanced text editing with toolpath simulation and comparison features, making it the preferred choice for working with G-code.

• Advanced Editing Tools: Smart NC functions, customisable shortcuts, and an intuitive interface enable fast, efficient code editing.
• Backplotting & Toolpath Simulation: View toolpaths directly from G-code to validate programs and confirm accuracy before machining.
• File Comparison: Compare program versions line by line to spot differences and prevent costly errors.
• Transformations & Macros: Perform rotations, mirroring, scaling, and more, or automate repetitive work using macros.
• DNC Communication: When connected to DNC, easily transfer programs between the PC and CNC machines.
• Code Conversion: Convert proven programs between control types (e.g., Heidenhain ↔ FANUC ↔ Siemens).
• Cycle Simulation: Verify canned and parametric cycles for milling, turning, drilling, threading, probing, block skips, and conditional logic across major CNC controls.
• Proven Compatibility: Supports a broad range of CNC controllers, parametric formats, subprograms, and cycles.

CIMCO Edit offers a fast, dependable, and field-proven NC editing environment that minimises programming errors and setup time, enforces consistent editing and revision control, and boosts productivity through reliable program validation.

Accurate and Reliable Program Verification

SolidCam SolidShop CIMCO Machine Simulation is a proven solution for validating NC programmes directly from the G-code, ensuring the CNC machine executes exactly what has been programmed. It provides accurate 3D simulation of the machine tool and machining process for 2–5 axis CNC machines, as well as single-channel lathes with one or two spindles, a C-axis, and a turret, helping manufacturers avoid errors and unplanned downtime.

• True G-Code Simulation: Interprets the actual NC code, including macros, subprogrammes, and parametric commands, to provide an authentic machine run through.
• 3D Machine Environment: Visualises the tool, fixtures, stock, and full kinematics to highlight issues before machining.
• Collision & Over-Travel Detection: Identifies potential crashes, limit violations, and setup problems that could cause damage.
• Configurable Syntax Checking: Ensures only verified, compliant code is sent to the machine.
• High-Speed Material Removal: GPU-accelerated simulation for fast, detailed machining previews.
• Extensive Control Support: Works with leading CNC controls and their cycle definitions for realistic behaviour.

By validating NC programmes ahead of time, SolidShop CIMCO Machine Simulation improves confidence, shortens the move from programming to production, and enhances safety by preventing crashes and tool failures.

It is an essential tool for manufacturers seeking accuracy, efficiency, and reliable CNC programme verification.

Through tight integration with CIMCO NC-Base, DNC, and SolidCAM for Operators, operators and programmers can also simulate changes made at the CNC controller before merging them with the approved version.

CNC Programme Management Hub

The manufacturing-focused Process Data Management module provides an essential step towards full shop-floor digitisation. Integrated with CIMCO Edit, CIMCO NC-Base organises all document types in a centralised database accessible across the company via desktop or web clients.

• 100% Shop-Floor Focused: Designed for CNC programmers, machinists, and operators.
• Single Source of Truth: Stores CAM files, NC programmes, subprogrammes, setup sheets, tool lists, CAD models, drawings, quotations, emails, and more in one location.
• Fast Search & Retrieval: Quickly locate programmes by machine, part, customer, or custom filters.
• Programme & Subprogramme Management: Maintain parent/child relationships and send main programmes together with linked subprogrammes to CNC machines in a single click (via CIMCO DNC-Max).
• Secure & Traceable: User permissions control access, and all actions are logged for auditability.
• Shop-Floor Access: Provides controlled access to the latest approved CNC programmes and documents.
• Integration with CIMCO Edit: Open, edit, simulate, and transfer programmes directly to CNC machines through DNC communication.
• Revision Control: Track all changes and maintain complete version histories.
• Regulatory Ready: Supports ISO 9001, AS9100, and other standards for regulated sectors such as medical, defence, and pharmaceuticals.
• End-to-End Integration: Works seamlessly with SolidCAM and SolidCAM for Operators, enabling a completely paperless workflow.

CIMCO NC-Base ensures data accuracy, security, and compliance while removing inefficiencies caused by outdated or missing documents. It improves productivity by giving programmers and operators fast, dependable access to essential information, bringing clarity, control, and consistency to CNC programme management and data-driven manufacturing.

Shop Floor Access to CAM Data

SolidCAM for Operators gives machine operators direct, simplified access to CAM data on the shop floor. Instead of depending on programmers or printed documents, operators can view all essential information through a controlled, user-friendly interface.

• Direct Access to CAM Data: Operators can open CAM parts, setup sheets, tool lists, and machining documentation directly on the shop floor.
• CAM Part Simulation: Provides full machine simulation of the CAM part before machining begins.
• Feeds & Speeds Adjustments: Allows operators to modify feeds and speeds when necessary.
• CIMCO NC-Base Integration – Ensures operators always use the latest approved CAM files and can store any updates they make.
• Paperless Workflow – Replaces printed instructions with instantly updated digital documents.
• Traceability & Control – Logs which programs and revisions were used, supporting compliance and accountability

SolidCAM for Operators creates a direct link between CAM programming and CNC execution, reducing miscommunication, preventing outdated documents, and equipping operators with accurate data, simulation, and editing tools when they need them. It is a key step toward fully digital, paperless manufacturing.

Reliable DNC Communication

CIMCO DNC-Max delivers secure, reliable and efficient communication between CNC machines and the shop-floor network. It is a proven solution for transferring NC programmes, maintaining revision control and ensuring smooth data flow across all machine types.

• Robust Connectivity: Supports Ethernet and serial (RS-232/RS-422) communication for full compatibility with both modern and legacy CNC machines.
• Centralised Programme Handling: Send and receive NC programmes directly at the CNC control, keeping all revisions aligned.
• Error-Free Transfers: Safeguards prevent data loss or corruption during transmission.
• Integration with CIMCO NC-Base: Ensures operators work with the latest approved programme, providing traceability, version control and secure transfer.
• Bi-Directional Communication: Operator edits can be uploaded back to the central system for full accountability.
• Wide Protocol Support: Compatible with industry standard and proprietary CNC communication protocols.
• Scalable Architecture: Suitable for workshops with a handful of CNCs through to factories running hundreds of machines.

CIMCO DNC-Max connects machines to the digital infrastructure, ensuring dependable communication, secure data flow and complete revision control, an essential component of modern digital manufacturing.

Real-Time Manufacturing Data Collection

CIMCO MDC-Max gives manufacturers real-time insight into CNC machine performance by collecting live production data and monitoring shop floor activity. It automatically logs machine status, captures key metrics, and provides actionable information to improve efficiency.

• Live Machine Monitoring: Shows the current status of every machine (running, idle, setup, etc.) in real time.
• Data Collection & Connectivity: Records cycle times, downtime, spindle load, part counts, alarms, and operator inputs. When used with CIMCO DNC-Max, it also captures live PLC signals and CNC counters.
• OEE & KPI Reporting: Calculates OEE, MTBF, MTTR, and other custom performance indicators.
• Custom Dashboards & Reports: Visualises data through shop floor screens, dashboards, and automated reports.
• Flexible Connectivity: Works with modern and legacy CNC machines, PLCs, and sensors via multiple protocols, including MTConnect, OPC, RS-232, and Ethernet.
• Flexible Reporting: Exports detailed reports to Excel or PDF, or displays them in Power BI, Grafana, or bespoke dashboards.
• ERP/MES Integration: Connects to business systems for synchronised production data and order tracking.

By combining real-time monitoring, advanced reporting, and ERP/MES integration, CIMCO MDC-Max helps manufacturers increase productivity, cut operational costs, reduce downtime, and maintain a fully traceable, data driven workflow. It serves as a key tool in smart manufacturing and digital transformation.