What CAD and CAM systems do you use?
What CAD and CAM systems do you use? I'm looking for some recomendations for testing. Currently we're using Unigraphics NX2. We may upgrade to NX5, but I have also looked at Pro-E, MasterCAM X2, Esprite and SolidPRO. We currently do our modeling in SolidWorks 2007, and like it very much, so we would most likely import the models from there.
It would be used on 4 and 5 axis mills, 2 axis turns, and 9 axis mill/turns. Needs to have some punch behind it to handle the mill/turns.
Thanks for any suggestions.
It would be used on 4 and 5 axis mills, 2 axis turns, and 9 axis mill/turns. Needs to have some punch behind it to handle the mill/turns.
Thanks for any suggestions.
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I've used MasterCAM, ProE, AutoCAD (can't remember the versions) etc.
I went to college for CAD/CAM with emphasis in Technical Graphics.
I used to design the peice in 3D using AutoCAD. Then export it to MasterCAM for the CAM program.
Everything worked great with 9-axis CNC's.
That was 5 yrs ago.
Shoff will be around to tell you about the newer stuff.0 -
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
I used to design the peice in 3D using AutoCAD. Then export it to mastercam.
How do you export autocad drawings to mastercam? I know very little about autocad and not much more on mastercam. I usually re-draw in mastercam what engineering sends us in autocad, that is IF they send us a drawing at all. What I know about either is just from trial and error.0 -
bob cat 0 -
The wife uses Solid Works and Pro-E. Says the improvements in the 08 (might be 07, whatever is the latest release) Solid Works significantly improve communications with the 4 and 5 axis machines. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by hawkeye6020
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
I used to design the peice in 3D using AutoCAD. Then export it to mastercam.
How do you export autocad drawings to mastercam? I know very little about autocad and not much more on mastercam. I usually re-draw in mastercam what engineering sends us in autocad, that is IF they send us a drawing at all. What I know about either is just from trial and error.
Depending on the versions of AutoCAD and MasterCAM, it's a little different. Usually on older versions, you save the file in AutoCAD in IGES format, then MasterCAM will import or read IGES files in.
The newer versions will save files in MasterCAM format and MasterCAM will directly read AutoCAD (and other) formats.0 -
I use Autocad 2008 and Wildfire (pro-e),
Been on Wildfire/Pro-e since version 16, stay away
from it,to become proficient it takes months
of training where solid works and autocad only
takes days(The Pro-e software people
are concentrating on data management these
days (Windchill I think it's called)
and not focusing on maintaning their cad
program) onlywhere solid works and autocad.
The only issue I have with Autocad is that
they don't have a version based vault.
Last one saves owns it and if you're not
disciplined much work can be lost,but I hear
Autocad is or has resolved this.0 -
Please substitute Inventor
for Autocad,I know not what
I say0 -
quote:Originally posted by SLING BLADE
bob cat
seriously?
Heff,
At my last job we used Autocad, Solidworks, and Mastercam version 9.1. It did the job very well for what it was supposed to do, and that was just VMC programing. I love solidworks, it is probably the easist parametric modeling software on the market to learn. Unix is easy in its own right though. Took classes with ProE, hard to learn and expensive for what you get, then you have to have add ons, ect.
Mastercam X2 is very similar to older versions. The CAD part of the software is different, and the modeling different. The software looks and feels different. However, all the CAM part of the software if basically the same. Menus, chaining, types of milling and turning, ect. This makes it very easy to upgrade, there is no learning needed for a previous user. I don't know how well it would handle mill/turns though.
Partmaker currently seems to be the king of mill/turn programming. I was looking at a brochure or something and they have post for almost every controller I have heard of. Don't know how good those post are though.
At my current job. We use a combination of Unix, CadKey, Esprite, and Surfcam. The company has had Esprite for 3 years and there still is not a good post processor for the Citzen C16's. They are currently working closely with us to fix the problem. Surfcam is nice and easy. The version we have is older though, something like 2002 or so. Not sure about the mill/turn capability.
If I was in charge, this is what I would have. Solidworks, easy to learn, easy to use, ect. The down fails of Solidworks is large files and files with lots of mates. It just can't handle them. I don't know about the 08 version as I haven't used it yet.
Mastercam X2 would be my CAM software. It has 10 ways to do 1 thing, settings and options are endless. You really can make your programs faster with different types of milling they offer.
With that said, I haven't used Mastercam's mill/turn software.
BTW, Esprite cost about $20,000 with just the mill/turn post. The mill and turn software will be extra. I have heard that full blown versions of Mastercam, which seems to be what you need, will cost $30,000.0 -
Oh, and if you call someone about Esprite, make sure you don't call it E-sprit like it looks like. LOL I guess its supposed to be pronounced E-spree. [:D] 0
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