For the new user inheriting an E11 workstation, here is the standard "Mold Maker" workflow:
Step 1: Import & Fix
File > Import > STEP -> Diagnostics > Geometry Repair (Use the "Stitch" and "Heal" functions).
Step 2: Mold Layout
Mold Design > Layout Wizard -> Insert the part -> Define parting plane (Automatic or Manual) -> Split core and cavity.
Step 3: Electrode creation (If needed)
Electrode > Quick Electrode -> Select the burn area -> Set burning depth -> The software automatically creates a "Spark Gap" offset.
Step 4: Machining (CAM)
NC > Roughing -> Select "Volume Mill" -> Choose 25mm carbide endmill -> Set cut depth to 1mm -> Calculate.
NC > Finishing -> Select "Finish All" with a ball nose endmill -> Set "Stepover" to 0.1mm for a mirror finish.
Step 5: Post Process
NC Manager > Post Process -> Select your machine (e.g., Generic_Fanuc_G71.post ) -> Generate .nc or .h file.
Before the era of heavy integration with 3DX (Dassault), Cimatron E11 was a standalone powerhouse. It wasn’t trying to be a general-purpose CAD program like SolidWorks or Inventor; it was purpose-built for mold and die, and it showed.
Cimatron E11 is an incremental but practical release: not a radical redesign, but a meaningful productivity boost for teams focused on mold & die and complex milling who want fewer surprises from CAM to machine.
Related searches I've prepared for further reading (quick search terms): Cimatron E11 release notes, Cimatron E11 new features, Cimatron vs. Mastercam comparison.
Cimatron E11 is a major release of the integrated CAD/CAM software designed specifically for the mold, tool, and die industry. Released around 2013, this version introduced significant automation in NC programming, assembly management, and specialized tooling design to reduce delivery times and improve surface quality. Key CAD and Assembly Features
Advanced Assembly Setup: Features a new tool for managing assembly parameters with organized folders and pop-up menus. It allows for individual parameter management, including linking to formulas or catalog parts.
Assembly Mirroring: Automatically determines if a component should be a rotated copy or a mirrored part. It maintains the original assembly structure and automatically updates the Bill of Materials (BOM).
Cutting Object Tool: A new utility that integrates offsets, chamfers, and attribute assignments to generate intricate cutting objects for any part.
Quick Split for Mold Design: Provides immediate visualization of mold components by assigning surfaces to different form directions, highlighting undercuts for early modification. NC Programming and CAM Enhancements 15 MoldDesign – Reducing tool design time cimatron e11
To understand Cimatron E11, one must understand the market of the early 2010s. The manufacturing world was transitioning from legacy 2D drafting to fully integrated 3D environments. Competitors like NX and Mastercam were powerful but often required expensive, separate modules for mold design.
Cimatron E11 arrived as a unified solution. Unlike other software that required exporting and importing between CAD and CAM, E11 operated on a single database. If you changed a corner radius in the design stage, the toolpath updated automatically in the machining stage. This "Associative" technology was the headline feature of E11, drastically reducing programming errors and lead times.
Previously, machine simulation was a separate, expensive add-on. With Cimatron E11, integrated Material Removal Simulation became standard. You could watch a stock block turn into a finished part, detecting collisions between the tool holder and the job before the program ever touched the machine.
Cimatron E11 is the Chevy Small-Block V8 of CAD/CAM. It isn't the most efficient, it isn't the prettiest, and it lacks modern fuel injection (cloud features). But when you turn the key, it starts. It machines molds. It makes money.
If you are a new programmer, learning E11 will teach you why toolpaths behave the way they do, without the automation black boxes of modern software. If you are a shop owner, upgrading to the modern 3DX Cimatron might give you speed, but don't let anyone shame you for keeping E11 alive for those legacy jobs.
Are you still running Cimatron E11? Drop a comment with your favorite post-processor or trick.
Disclaimer: This post is a retrospective analysis. Cimatron is now part of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Always verify file compatibility with your supply chain before relying on legacy software.
Cimatron E11 is an integrated CAD/CAM software solution released around 2013, specifically designed for mold, tool, and die makers. It belongs to the "E" (Elite) series developed by Cimatron Ltd (now part of Sandvik). This version introduced significant performance enhancements, a more intuitive user interface, and specialized tools for electrode design and NC programming. Core Capabilities
Cimatron E11 provides a single environment for the entire manufacturing process, from quoting to delivery. CAD (Computer-Aided Design):
High-level hybrid modeling (wireframe, surfaces, and solids) optimized for tool design. Mold Design:
Specialized wizards for mold base creation, cooling system design, and ejector pin placement. Die Design:
Tools for progressive and transfer dies, including strip layout and blank development. CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing):
Advanced NC programming for 2.5 to 5-axis milling, including high-speed machining (HSM). Electrode Design: For the new user inheriting an E11 workstation,
An end-to-end automated solution for designing and manufacturing EDM electrodes. Key Features Introduced in E11 Redesigned Interface:
A "CimXplorer" file manager allows for thumbnail browsing and favorite folders for faster access. Dynamic UCS:
Users can adjust viewing directions directly on the screen without complex menu navigation. New Analysis Tools:
Early-stage product analysis helps designers identify potential manufacturing issues (like undercut or thickness problems) before the mold design begins. ECO (Engineering Change Order) Management:
Improved tools to handle design changes mid-process, automatically updating downstream CAM toolpaths. Performance Improvements:
E11 achieved significant reductions in calculation times for complex toolpaths and large assemblies. WordPress.com Technical Use Cases Precision Milling:
Used extensively for calculating inclination angles and generating complex toolpaths on sculpture surfaces. Tool Wear Monitoring:
Often integrated with digital twin technology to monitor tool status during micro-milling operations. VMC Programming:
A primary choice for programmers designing punches and dies for Vertical Machining Centers (VMC). Legacy and Availability
While Cimatron has since released many newer versions (such as Cimatron 2024 and 2025), version E11 remains popular in certain regions like Vietnam due to its stability and lower hardware requirements. Users can find extensive training materials and catalogs that provide deeper technical specs, though these are now primarily hosted on community archives like Hoàng Khương for specific CNC machines or system requirements for running E11?
Evaluating Inclination Angle Effects in Milling | PDF | Machining
Released in 2013, CimatronE 11 is an integrated CAD/CAM software solution specifically engineered for toolmakers, including those in mold, die, and electrode manufacturing. It bridges the gap between design and production by providing a single environment for quoting, modeling, and CNC programming. Key Core Features
NC Simulator: A significant update in version 11, this simulator provides a highly accurate material removal preview. It features a progress bar to track machining stages and dynamic color-coding to visualize remaining stock and detect gouges early. Before the era of heavy integration with 3DX
Assembly Mirroring: This tool automatically determines if a component should be mirrored or simply rotated and copied. It uses visual color cues (sky blue for copies, pink for mirrors) and automatically updates the Bill of Materials (BOM).
Cap Internal Islands: Designed for parting surface creation, this tool quickly identifies and closes open gaps within a part, allowing for cleaner mold plate cutting.
Automated Drilling: Version 11 enhanced the ability to select mold areas for drilling based on geometry, color, or specific sets, streamlining the preparation of complex cooling and ejection systems. Specialized Tooling Capabilities
Mold Design: Includes dedicated tools for fast parting and cavity design, with built-in analysis for undercuts and part surfaces.
Die Design: Features automated data validation for rapid import and a library of pre-fitted die sets that can be adapted to specific project needs in seconds.
Electrode Creation: Offers standalone or integrated solutions for faster electrode design and NC programming, essential for EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) processes. Machining & Programming CimatronE 11 Highlights NC Simulator
The workshop hummed with the steady, rhythmic pulse of heavy machinery, but for Elias, a veteran toolmaker, the real music was playing on his computer screen. After years of wrestling with clunky, unintuitive software, his shop had finally upgraded to Cimatron E11.
Elias leaned in, his eyes tracking the vibrant toolpaths on the monitor. He was working on a complex mold for a high-precision automotive part—the kind of job that used to keep him up at night worrying about gouges or inefficient air-cutting. The Breakthrough Moment
With Cimatron E11, everything felt different. He noticed the new interactive triad (axis cross) that let him rotate and manipulate the 3D model with a single hand, a feature that felt less like software and more like an extension of his own reach.
He wasn't just drawing lines; he was crafting a strategy. Elias used the Volume Pocketing feature, watching as the software automatically calculated the most efficient spiral toolpath to clear out the stock. It wasn't just fast; it was surgical. Precision in Motion
The real test came with the sculpture surfaces of the mold. Elias needed to manage the inclination angles perfectly to ensure the finish was glass-smooth. He navigated to the axis control section, selecting his inclination guidelines. With a few clicks in Cimatron E11, he generated a toolpath that adjusted the tilt of the tool in real-time, following the complex curves of the convex surface with a precise 15∘15 raised to the composed with power
As the CNC machine roared to life, Elias didn't feel the usual tension. He watched the tool dance across the metal, carving out the intricate geometries he had just finalized. By the time the shift ended, the mold was finished—ahead of schedule and with a surface finish so clean it barely needed polishing.
For Elias, Cimatron E11 wasn't just a version update; it was the moment he stopped fighting his tools and started mastering them.