Importing the Technology Database in CAMWorks and SOLIDWORKS CAM after upgrading or installing a service pack.
Every time you upgrade to a new CAMWorks or SOLIDWORKS CAM version or service pack, you should import your database. In 2018, the Technology Database switched platforms, moving from Microsoft Access to SQLite. You can update Microsoft Access to a SQLite database by following these instructions. The process is similar to importing SQLite moving forward.
Go to the Windows Start Menu, then click “All >” in the top right. Next, select CAMWorks20XX | Technology Database Application (Tech DB App). See Figure 1.
Figure 1. ‘Tech DB App’ location
To access the Import options while the Tech DB App is open, select the Settings tab on the left. See Figure 2.
Figure 2. Settings location
Select the “Import Database” button to upgrade your older Microsoft Access Database into the new SQLite version or import an existing newer version after an upgrade or service pack. See Figure 3.
(WARNING! EXIT SOLIDWORKS BEFORE IMPORTING!)
Figure 3. Import Database location
Select which type of Database you are importing:
SQLite, Microsoft Access, or SQL Server. When importing a Database from 2017 or earlier, select MS-Access. If you are importing a Database from 2018 or later, select SQLite. See Figure 4.
Figure 4. Database type that you are importing
Select your previous Database to import by selecting ‘Browse’, which shows the Open dialog. The default location for the Technology Database is:
C:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks20XXx64\TechDB\. Select the Techdb.mdb file (for Databases 2017 and earlier) or the Techdb.cwdb file (for Databases 2018 and later), then click Open.
Note: If you don’t see a techdb.mdb or a techdb.cwdb file, then you didn’t select the correct file type to import. Be sure that you selected the correct Database type from the previous step. Reference figure 5.
Figure 5. TechDB file selection
After selecting the file, its location will appear next to the Browse button. Reference figure 6.
Figure 6. Location of the selected techdb.mdb file
You have the option of which data selections you want to transfer: Mill Data, Turn Data, Mill-Turn Data, and EDM Data. By default, all of them are selected. Deselect any of the selections that you don’t want imported. See figure 7.
Figure 7. Data to import
Be sure that Create Backup Copy is selected. By default, it will be selected. This Backup Copy ensures that you can still use the original copy. Reference Figure 8.
Figure 8. Create Backup Copy
To begin, select Import. Depending on the size of your database, this may take several minutes. When completed, a green pop-up message will show “Data migration is done successfully!” This message only stays visible for a few seconds. See Figure 9.
Figure 9. Data migration is done successfully! message
Now that the Technology Database is successfully imported, all of your custom strategies and machines are available.
Note: If you do not see all your machines or strategies, ensure that you are using the same units as your previous Technology Database. This can be toggled between Metric and Inches. See figure 10.
Figure 10. Toggle between Metric and Inches
SOLIDWORKS CAM users will follow these same steps; however, your Technology Database is in a different location than the CAMWorks Database. You will find the Database here: “C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS CAM 20XX\TechDB\”.
The application is located here “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS CAM\TechDBApp\”. To open the application, double-click the file TechDB-App.exe.