We sat down with CloudNC CTO Andy Cheadle to find out more about the launch of CAM Assist 2.0 and what it means for machinists and programmers worldwide.
Andy, what is happening?
We’re very pleased to announce that CloudNC is launching a new version of CAM Assist: CAM Assist 2.0. It’s a major upgrade that shortens the journey from CAD model to machine-ready code with the help of AI, and we’re extremely excited about it - it’s been a lot of hard work!
In particular, the upgrade improves CAM Assist by giving users more feedback and control over each step of the toolpath generation process, while also improving workflows and usability. It’s a step change in how the software fits into the way machinists actually use AI in their everyday operations.
What is CAM Assist 2.0?
CAM Assist 2.0 is a web-based CAM application that initiates from the user’s CAM package - at launch, that’s Fusion and Mastercam, with NX available shortly after, and watch out for more announcements to come soon! 3-axis and 3+2 operations are supported.
In the new web UI, the user can configure machines, materials and tool assemblies for toolpath generation. CAM Assist breaks out the AI in stages so that parts can be assessed prior to running. Moreover, as files are being computed, our forthcoming strategy editor (which will arrive later in 2025) will pass control over to the user, keeping them in the loop of CAM decision making.
Why does this matter?
It’s a substantial enhancement in terms of usability, feedback and control over the machining process. It builds on the speed of CAM Assist v1, but layers on the oversight, feedback and shared intelligence machine shops need to use CAM Assist with confidence.
Previously, when asked to generate a toolpath, CAM Assist would carry out its work and present the user with its solution. However, that might mean that the programmer would have to understand and unpick an extremely complex operation in order to understand the AI’s working, in effect changing the user’s role from creator to editor.
CAM Assist 2.0’s strategy editor will therefore give control back to the programmer by enabling them to understand the AI’s working as it generates a strategy or operation. As a result, programmers will stay firmly in control of every critical decision, while still spending just minutes turning CAD into reliable toolpaths - instead of hours.
Sounds great! What’s new and better?
Here’s the feature round-up:
- One-click configuration – Intelligent defaults and a configuration workflow let you start programming in minutes, with no time-consuming parameter hunting.
- AI guidance at every step – Context-aware recommendations appear precisely when you’re modifying strategies, tool assemblies or feeds and speeds, increasing feedback and helping you arrive at proven toolpaths faster and with greater confidence.
- Human-in-the-loop oversight – Before any toolpath is committed to your CAM system, you can inspect, review and even suppress each strategy operation and with CAM Assist’s forthcoming (later in 2025) strategy editor ultimately edit them so shop standards are never compromised.
- Accelerated programming – By accelerating routine decisions and surfacing best-practice strategies, CAM Assist 2.0 reduces programming time from hours to minutes for many parts, freeing your experts to focus on high-value work.
- Seamless hand-off – Once approved, the generated strategies are pushed directly back into your preferred CAM package, ready for code generation and verification.
The result: faster programming, more consistent machining strategies, and higher confidence in every job you send to the shop floor—all delivered in a workflow shaped by the people who use it every day.
And how does it work?
CAM Assist 2.0 works much like the current version of CAM Assist. A part assembly is loaded in the CAM package. From there, the user launches CAM Assist.
With CAM Assist 2.0, the experience is conducted in a Web UI that includes a 3D representation of the part assembly (part, stock, fixtures, avoidance geometry, etc.). Preparing the model for CAM strategy definition can be as simple as pressing run, or can involve more complex configuration. It all depends on the user and the part.
Anything else we should know?
Sure. CloudNC recognizes that user input and adapting more about our customers’ environments are essential to producing results from CAM Assist that are more intuitive to machinists.
Whereas the current version of CAM Assist is excellent at producing CAM strategies automatically, CAM Assist 2.0 allows for more user control - but in discrete workflows. These flows are namely, configure, assess, prepare, and analyze.
Overall, CAM Assist 2.0’s numerous new features and functionality means that for novice and experienced CAM programmers, the work required to generate effective CAM output will be shortened, and less error-prone.
And finally - what happens next?
We’ll be rolling out CAM Assist 2.0 across our users and partners, and finishing off development of the strategy editor, which I really do believe will be a step change for programmers, as it will allow them to harness this powerful technology in a way that fits seamlessly with their workflows. Then there’s elements like the hole and tolerancing wizard, of the forthcoming ‘Specify’ phase along with new integrations… there’s exciting times ahead!
