New capabilities accelerate simulation review, improve communication with operators, enhance machining strategies, and introduce practical AI assistance inside the CAM workflow
- Faster program verification: simulation rewind is now up to 30 times faster, allowing programmers to review complex machining sequences without losing momentum
- Clearer shop-floor visibility: interactive 3D simulation recordings can be shared through Live Job Reports, giving operators a clearer view of machining processes before the job reaches the machine
- Enhanced machining and usability: toolpath improvements strengthen cutting performance while Hexagon Copilot for EDGECAM introduces natural-language assistance inside the CAM environment
As machining strategies become more sophisticated and delivery expectations continue to tighten, CNC programmers are under growing pressure to prepare reliable programs quickly while maintaining confidence on the shop floor.
Modern CAM systems provide powerful capabilities to support complex machining. But with longer programs, more operations, and increasingly demanding parts, programmers are also spending more time verifying toolpaths, reviewing simulations, and communicating machining strategies to operators.
To help manufacturers keep pace with these demands, Hexagon’s Production Software Division has introduced new capabilities in the latest release of EDGECAM, focused on accelerating program verification, improving collaboration between programming and production teams, and simplifying interaction with the software itself.
“At shop level, the pressure is always the same: get the job right and get it moving,” said Zoltan Tomoga, Product Manager at Hexagon’s Production Software Division. “The latest EDGECAM release focuses on removing delays in everyday programming work, whether that means reviewing a long simulation instantly, helping operators understand the machining process more clearly, or making it easier for programmers to find the right capability inside the software.”
One of the most immediate improvements is in simulation performance. EDGECAM now stores snapshots at each tool change during simulation, allowing users to jump backwards through a machining sequence much more quickly. In complex jobs, rewind times can drop from around 30 seconds to close to one second, helping programmers review long programs without interrupting their workflow.
The release also strengthens communication between programming and production teams. A full 3D machine simulation can now be recorded and embedded directly into Live Job Reports, allowing operators to review machining processes interactively in a browser, even without an EDGECAM licence. They can zoom, rotate, adjust playback speed, and scrub through the timeline to better understand how the job will run before pressing cycle start.
This visibility is particularly valuable for complex work, including multi-axis machining, large fixtures, and safety-critical setups where operators benefit from a clearer picture of the programmed strategy before machining begins.
Alongside these verification improvements, EDGECAM continues to advance machining performance through enhancements across several toolpath cycles. Updates include support for lens tools in the Parallel Lace cycle, smoother roll-in movements in Face Milling, improved holder-aware collision avoidance in Rest Roughing, and expanded Race Line controls for more selective finishing operations. These refinements help programmers generate efficient toolpaths with better surface quality, improved tool engagement, and fewer manual adjustments during setup.
The release also introduces Hexagon Copilot for EDGECAM, bringing natural-language assistance into the CAM environment. Programmers can ask questions, locate functions, and access guidance more easily inside the workflow, reducing the time spent searching menus or documentation in increasingly capable CAM systems.
“Manufacturers are interested in AI, but they’re also very practical,” Tomoga added. “For most shops, the value comes when technology helps them work faster without changing how they already operate. Copilot is designed to help programmers get more out of EDGECAM by making the system easier to navigate and easier to learn.”
EDGECAM already supports advanced automation through feature recognition, Strategy Manager, and knowledge-based machining workflows. Copilot builds on this foundation by helping users access those capabilities more efficiently, particularly for new programmers or teams working under tight delivery pressure.
Together, the latest EDGECAM capabilities are designed to address a common challenge across modern machining environments: helping shops move from part model to production-ready NC code with less delay, better visibility, and greater confidence before first cut.
