Worknc - Tutorial
WorkNC must know what you are starting with.
After roughing, there is often still a significant amount of "rest material" left in corners where the large roughing tool couldn't reach.
Never trust a toolpath blindly.
This WorkNC tutorial has given you the vocabulary and workflow to create your first CNC program—from stock definition to post-processing. However, mastering WorkNC requires practice with real parts.
If you strip away the technical jargon, every WorkNC tutorial follows a dramatic three-act structure that mirrors the machining process itself.
Act I: The Definition (The Setup)
This is the cognitive load. The user is faced with a raw block of digital steel. The tutorial focuses on the "Stock Model." In WorkNC, the Stock Model is god. It is the software’s memory.
Act II: The Aggression (Roughing)
WorkNC is famous for its roughing strategies—specifically "Offset 3D" and "Adaptive." A tutorial on roughing is a study in physics. It deals with tool load, chip thinning, and entry angles.
Act III: The Resolution (Finishing)
This is where the anxiety sets in. "Z-level finishing," "Constant Cusp," "Drive Surface." The tutorial slows down. The mistakes here are visible on the physical part. worknc tutorial
WorkNC is a deep ocean of functionality, but the surface is easy to navigate. By mastering the workflow of Stock $\rightarrow$ Roughing $\rightarrow$ Rest $\rightarrow$ Finish $\rightarrow$ Simulate, you have already unlocked 80% of the software's power for standard mold and die machining.
WorkNC by Hexagon is a premier CAM software used for automated 2 to 5-axis CNC programming in complex mold, die, and tooling manufacturing.
This beginner-friendly guide walks you through the foundational workflow of setting up and calculating toolpaths in WorkNC. 🛠️ Step 1: Project Setup and Model Import
Before creating toolpaths, you must establish your working environment called a Workzone.
Create a Workzone: Open WorkNC and select "New Workzone" to keep all your calculations and files contained in one folder.
Import the CAD Model: Go to File > Import. WorkNC accepts native CAD files and standard formats like IGES, STEP, and STL.
Set the Coordinate System: Define the Machining Axis System. Align your X, Y, and Z axes to match how the actual physical part will be oriented on your CNC machine. 📦 Step 2: Define Stock and Part Geometry WorkNC must know what you are starting with
The software must know what raw material it is cutting and what the final part should look like.
Part Selection: Tag the imported surfaces as the "Part" so the software knows what to protect from gouging.
Stock Definition: Go to the stock model settings. You can define the raw stock as a solid bounding block, a uniform surface offset, or import a specific 3D model of a casting. 🗺️ Step 3: Create Roughing Toolpaths
Roughing removes the bulk of the material as quickly as possible.
Global Roughing / Waveform: Select a roughing strategy from the toolpath menu.
Select the Tool: Choose a large, rigid tool (like a bull-nose or flat end mill) from the tool library.
Set Parameters: Define your step-over (horizontal distance) and step-down (Z-depth per pass). Act II: The Aggression (Roughing) WorkNC is famous
Calculate: Click calculate. WorkNC will automatically generate a highly efficient path that respects the raw stock. ✨ Step 4: Create Finishing Toolpaths
Finishing paths are applied to achieve the exact final dimensions and surface quality of the part. Choose a Strategy: Use Planar/Parallel Finishing for flatter, shallow areas.
Use Z-Level Finishing for steep walls and vertical cavities.
Select the Tool: Switch to a smaller ball-nose end mill to glide over 3D curvatures flawlessly.
Set the Tolerance: Tighten up the machining tolerance and step-over values to ensure a smooth surface finish without visible tool marks. 🛡️ Step 5: Collision Simulation and G-Code Post
Always verify your movements digitally before sending them to a physical spindle. Beginner's Guide to CNC Machine Programming | Onefinity
This is the large central window where your 3D part is displayed.
