Does anybody here have any experience with CAMworks?

I'll be getting a demo in a bit, I just wanted some user experiences with the software.

Can y'all help me out? :cheers:

Let us know what you think of it when your done testing.
CamWorks interfaces with Solidworks and should be a interesting combination as a Cad/Cam System.
Sorry but I have more questions than answers, capabilitys/price.

Please do keep us posted. An integrated Cam solution which is imbedded into SolidWorks would be great! One thing that seem's to be hit and miss w/ Cam software is if it does the 5 axis tool kinematic's or not. This is all dependant on the tool length and pivot point locations etc.. MACH 3 doesn't do these calculations, but if CAMworks can do them right in its program.. it would be a big bonus. The complete machine simulation looks interesting!

Let us know what you find out :)

Jerry

I've been trying to ge a functioning demo from my local reseller. :(

It's been a long process, and I've pretty much given up. I've got some feedback from a few camworks users, who've said don't go there. choose something else. One has mentioned OneCNC. I've checked out the webpage, and talked to their people, and I've arranged to see a demo over the internet. I'll be providing a part only a few minutes before the actual demo, and get a good look into this particular package, which has quite an attractive price to boot. (nuts)

If you are looking for another integrated CAM package for SolidWorks, there is also SolidCAM

www.solidcam.com

They support full 5axis with simulation and have more capabilities than Camworks.

There is a demo to download, but doesnt allow posting of g-code

Mike

We have a 5 axis license for Cam Works. Our designs are made in Solidworks. The beauty of Camworks is when you make a minor change to the model you just click Rebuild and the tool paths are updated as well. Most stand alone CAM software packages will not do this. We work on very complex 3D parts and Camworks has worked very well for us.

My only complaint would be that it has been very difficult to find support from the reseller when we had a technical question. Our programming is beyond the capabilities of the average tech support person on the end of the phone. For most applications they would be very helpful I'm sure.

It's rather expensive, we paid over 15K for the 5 axis package but it was one of the best full 5 axis packages on the market.

One other thing. If you are going to do 3D programming you need to get the fastest computer with the best video card, the most RAM, the fastest dual core or dual processor. Camworks needs ALOT of processor power. It's not unusual to wait 5 minutes to generate tool paths and we have the latest and greatest computer available.

Bigsmac, is your 5 axis simultaneous? I've been evaluating which CAM to get, I'd like a simultaneous CAM which does the full 5 axis w/out having to set up work planes and what not.. I'd like it as automated as possible. ie; set the tool so that it is not leading or lagging and is w/in 20deg of perpendicular to the surface at all times.. and then just let it rip.. It also needs to do all the kinematic offsets by knowing your machine geometry [ rotational offsets] and tool lengths from the collet etc.. [most likely from a hard tool library]

Can CAMworks do all this? Is your programing time so long because of the nature of the model, or because of the path density [ # of lines of code] or..?

So for a model which takes 5 minutes to create the code, how many lines of code would this be?

Thanks for taking the time to mention your experiances w/ the software!

Jerry

Yes Camworks will do all this. There are many options in Camworks that allow for everything you mentioned and more.

Our code is rather long, the file size of G code is typically over 2M. There are typically many tool paths as we finish with a .015 step over to get a smooth finish.

Simultanious 5 axis isn't as easy as Camworks would like you to believe. You don't have to set up work planes, etc. Just set the part up in Solidworks with the point of rotation of the A and C axis and Camworks will calculate the rest. We had problems with Camworks in that it would want to rotate the A axis 40 degrees negative. We only have 30 degrees negative and 110 positive in our machine. So Camworks needs to rotate the A 40 positve and do a 180 on the C to accomplish the same thing.

Again the problem is you are not going to get much support from some of the Camworks resellers when it come to complex 3 or 5 axis programming. Support is from the reseller, not Teksoft (the manufacturer of Camworks), so support is going to be dependent on your reseller's 5 axis experience.

The problem is when you make a minor change in Camworks, ie. stepover, and regenerate the tool paths it may take a few minutes. Doing this 50 times a day and running simulations after each change can eat up an entire day and most of the time is waiting for the tool paths to regenerate. This is not the case with simple projects or 2.5 axis programs, only complex with lots of tool paths, etc.

Hope this helps. We also looked at Mastercam and felt Camworks was superior for what we wanted to do.



Bigsmac, is your 5 axis simultaneous? I've been evaluating which CAM to get, I'd like a simultaneous CAM which does the full 5 axis w/out having to set up work planes and what not.. I'd like it as automated as possible. ie; set the tool so that it is not leading or lagging and is w/in 20deg of perpendicular to the surface at all times.. and then just let it rip.. It also needs to do all the kinematic offsets by knowing your machine geometry [ rotational offsets] and tool lengths from the collet etc.. [most likely from a hard tool library]

Can CAMworks do all this? Is your programing time so long because of the nature of the model, or because of the path density [ # of lines of code] or..?

So for a model which takes 5 minutes to create the code, how many lines of code would this be?

Thanks for taking the time to mention your experiances w/ the software!

Jerry

Thanks Bigsmac!
Lately I've been playing around w/ SolidCam, but haven't got really far into it. I downloaded the demo off the website. It's taken a bit to get it working w/ SW but all seem's ok now. Anyway, I really don't need all the fancy functions of this type of software. I'm only doing mold machineing out of foam and wood. I need the ability to do extremely steep/deep wall milling. One thing that is a bit different w/ my setup [from yours anyway] is that my B & C axis are on the Z axis post. I will have 360+ rotation and about +/-100 on the other. This will enable me to use shorter tooling and still mill on something that is 2-3ft thick. [hopefully anyway] You can see where being able to just pick a perpendicular milling w/ a parallel ruffing pass and then a z level finish should work very well w/ the simultaneous control.

I also demo'd FeatureCAM and was really impressed w/ it. Apparently they are working on a Gold partner agreement w/ SolidWorks [ or so the rumor mill claims] and a simultaneous 5 axis at the same time. If this goes through.. I think it will be my first choice. Their AFR function in 3 axis [ Auto-Feature-Recognition] literally did all the programming for the operator, did a 50k code set in 10 second's w/ all the needed tool changes to get the finish they wanted etc.. pretty impressive. Oh.. and it was about 5 mouse clicks to do it all. I was impressed anyway, but I'm not real up on my CAM so maybe others are this easy as well?

Anyway, I'm a ways from needing it, but soon the decision is going to need to be made.

Thanks!
Jerry

Has anyone heard what a 3 axis milling package will coist? roughly?
Thanks

We have a 5 axis license for Cam Works. Our designs are made in Solidworks. The beauty of Camworks is when you make a minor change to the model you just click Rebuild and the tool paths are updated as well. Most stand alone CAM software packages will not do this. We work on very complex 3D parts and Camworks has worked very well for us.

My only complaint would be that it has been very difficult to find support from the reseller when we had a technical question. Our programming is beyond the capabilities of the average tech support person on the end of the phone. For most applications they would be very helpful I'm sure.

It's rather expensive, we paid over 15K for the 5 axis package but it was one of the best full 5 axis packages on the market.


First thing to your quote... If you need support about CAMWorks 5x try to rech Robert Hutter from TekSoft (he deals with tech support)... he is nr1 in teksoft about using 5x... you can find his data on the teksoft website...
Do you happen to have any information, examples of 5x in CAMWorks...It is true that it is really hard to find any examples or even any tutorials...Your help would be vital for me...Thanks for any help

Edgecam will also maintain associativity to the solid model and automatically update when changes are made. The advantage to Edgecam is that it can do this with SolidWorks, Inventor and other major Solid modeliers. They als have excellent 5 axis and multiaxis lathe capabilities.

Mike Mattera

Mike does EdgeCAM run inside SW? Can anyone tell me if CamWorks does?

Curious..

Jerry

Jerry,
Camworks operates within solidworks. When you start Solidworks Camworks opens as well. The buttons to control Camworks are on the top just like the Solidoworks buttons are.

iti2, Thanks for the information. I'm sure I will need the assistance some day. I don't know why my reseller didn't give me that information? Are you looking for model files of objects to cut in 5 axis? Or are you looking for a model that has been programmed in 5x so you can see the history tree?

Matt

Edgecam is a stand alone product. You can launch Edgecam from directly within SolidWorks and open the part file. But most shops I'm in, the engineer has the Sworks and the NC Programmer has the Cam package. If you have enough licenses the NC Programmer can use the SWorks also, but in most cases he only uses it to look at the part. Not to modify it.

Edgecam will detect changes made to the model immediately. What else matters.

I see a stand alone product as a benefit and here's why...
===========
If you change Cad/Design software, you are not forced to change Cam/NC Programming software. The Cam package might be doing a great job.

Edgecam is Cad neutral. It doesn't need any Cad program, but it's extremly well integrated with all of them.

Mike Mattera

thanks for answear, Parts for 5axis I do have, but the problem is that I do not no how to go through the CAMworks options to machine them, I have the multiaxis tutorial that is delivered with CAMWorks package but it is really nothing...there are only simple examples.. nothing that impreses... If you have any to spare I would be thankful.

regards
iti2

Edgecam is a stand alone product. You can launch Edgecam from directly within SolidWorks and open the part file. But most shops I'm in, the engineer has the Sworks and the NC Programmer has the Cam package. If you have enough licenses the NC Programmer can use the SWorks also, but in most cases he only uses it to look at the part. Not to modify it.

Edgecam will detect changes made to the model immediately. What else matters.

I see a stand alone product as a benefit and here's why...
===========
If you change Cad/Design software, you are not forced to change Cam/NC Programming software. The Cam package might be doing a great job.

Edgecam is Cad neutral. It doesn't need any Cad program, but it's extremly well integrated with all of them.

Mike Mattera

Hello Mike and others

To EdgeCAM... it is true about it that it can recognize changes in a part... but from my experience that is not enough... In CAMworks great thing is that I can use SW during creating technology:
-planes, sketches - are vital during definning some of the 2,5x features... or cutting across curve etc...
-abillity to save CAM data in SW templates is also benefitial...

Last thing about EdgeCAM, there was said that it is compatibile with Inventor and other cads... well CAMWorks also - thanks to SW it can read the largest number of CAD data format (even cloud of pionts, mesh etc - 2007)...I do not know how it is with recognizing changes but still for moulding (forging) tools in SW are great advantage...repairing imported files is sometimes only possible in SW - but maybe it is becouse I know SW well, btw my friend has bought SW and CAM and he was concerning EdgeCAM and SolidEdge...he found it easier in SW...he makes parts for cars (tuning)

regards
iti2

Mike, thanks for the reply! I can see your point about edgeCAM being a stand along product, depending on the design software you use this could be a good thing. Having said that however, its doubtfull that we'll change CAD programs.. Where would we go? If we were to move it wouldn't be anywhere accept maybe Catia.. and that ain't happening fo' a lon' time... I don't really see any negative's to having an integrated CAM system, at least not in our small shop. I do all the design, I know what is critical.. I do all the CAM work as well.. so.. maybe my situation is a bit different than others. Having the CAM intergrated w/ SW has its up-sides as well.. You get access to SW features not just the model. Alot of CAM program's won't read in the hole features, they know the model has changed.. but not where its changed.. most mated CAM's [ that are in SW] know which feature has changed and only update toolpaths that need updating, instead of all of them. I'm no expert when it comes to CAM, but I do believe in an intergrated package.

Still shoping...

Jerry

"its doubtfull that we'll change CAD programs."

That's what all the Autocad users said 10-12 years ago. Some of them were using a product call NC Polaris. Cad - Cam - NC Controls..... It all keeps changing.

In most companies the Design & NC Programming are usually done by different people.

Mike Mattera

"its doubtfull that we'll change CAD programs."

That's what all the Autocad users said 10-12 years ago. Some of them were using a product call NC Polaris. Cad - Cam - NC Controls..... It all keeps changing.


Mike Mattera

Mike while this is true, there is no garrentee's about anything, integrated CAM system or not. I know what there is a cost involved in changing CAD or CAM systems, and there could be a [possibly] higher cost to change a integrated CAD/CAM system over just one or the other. However using the same argument, there is no garrentee that my new CAD system would be compatible w/ my current CAM system. So.. in that case we'd still have to upgrade both. There's no garrentee that my current un-integrated CAM system will stay afloat because it DIDN'T integrate w/ a CAD system.

The reality is that current technology needs to be expendable. I need to be able to purchase a new CAD and CAM system, get my people up to speed and create enough income to cover these costs. They have to be amortized into the product's I turn out. If they are, then they are expendable in the future when technology dictates that I need to make a move. I'm not saying that everything should last forever nor am I saying I plan to change system's once a month either. I am saying that an integrated CAM system [ I don't care if its SolidCAM or CAMworks or any other integrated CAD/CAM system] is usually a more user friendly and streamlined system over one which has to have files exported to a different program. It is a known fact that jumping from program to program to get a job done isn't streamlined. By streamlining this process I reduce costs to my customers, while staying on the crest of technology instead of flogging behind worried about how I'm gonna get put on the hook for big money for an obselete program. Do any AutoCAD using consultant's or companies lament the age of 3D and the introduction of parametric modeling? I think not, the $5000 that was spent 10 yr's ago for A-CAD doesn't have any value today, but it did get us where we are today. It's as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.


Your argument that NC programers live in a different house than the designers is unfortunatly true for many manufactures. Some still live in that old world. In reality these two functions need to be integrated as well. Your designers need to know the limitations of the manufacturing side of your operation. They need to know intimatly how a project will be completed to utilize your systems to their full potential. The best way to do this is to have them able to do either job, this will give you a fluid department which can handle either 'Hat' handily.

We all know that people usually fall into a area where they best perform and this is fine, but they should be able to step into the others territory and at least take small step's to solve problems and assist when needed. Often small changes are required in the 'Day to Day' and the inefficiency of having to send a job back to another department to do something that could take 2 minutes if given the tools, is a very costly process.

The reality is in this day and age, Lean manufacture and Six Sigma are here to stay, either we join up or get a job sweeping out a shop that has. These process's don't stop at the door to the back shop. Rather, they must be properly applied to the front office and its process's as well. Integrated CAM systems fall into this process. If they didn't, why would anyone be wanting to buy them? Why are they being developed at the cost of millions of dollars? It's simply because they are a better all around system.

I understand that people get 'attached' to 'their' software and no other software could possibly do what theirs can. It's a Ford Vs Chevy debate which will never end. I can understand your desire to uphold EdgeCAM as a viable product and NC solution, there's nothing wrong w/ that. I don't disagree that it would work very well w/ SW models. However, I see a great improvment coming to its software set, the day a Gold Partnership agreement is anounced w/ Dassault Systemes.

No offense intended by any of this my friend. We're just of two differnt camps, believing each has the best interests of their respective companies at heart. :)

Jerry [geez.. more ammo for the ppl who call me long winded.. :D]

We are also a small shop and our engineer does both the CAD and CAM work. It's nice because he doesn't design something that can't be machined. For us the SW/Camworks package works very well. We find that when we do 5X it's invaluable to be able to set the part up in SW the same way it's going to be machined; our A and C axis center of rotation are set up in SW and then we seemlessly go to Camworks, and back and forth as necessary.

I'm sure every shop has unique needs and one package doesn't work for everyone. Just our experience.

Matt

How about Gibbscam, does anyone out there like this software and is it as easy to learn as they claim?


Paul

We purchased Gibbs 2 axis lathe & 2.5 axis mill in 2001 and dropped off the maintenance contract after a couple years. We bought Solidworks in 2004 and I am currently researching 3 axis CAM packages that will work with SW models (we do not have the solids import option for Gibbs). I am very reluctant to even consider Gibbs for this because thier user interface drives me absolutely freaking crazy. Maybe it's just me, but in my opinion, Gibbs is about the most non-intuitive application I have ever used.

Big Mac Can You Engrave With A Live 4 Axis Like On The O.d Of A Lathe Pc.? We Have The Modual But They Tell Me There Is A Bug. Also The Simulation Does Not Seem To Work With A Wrapped Multiple Pocket, The Sim Cut Thru It. Try It. And You Are Correct, It Is Not Easy To Get Answers From The Tech Support Depts. This Is Also To Advanced For Most Of The Tech Guys. But It Is Nice Software If You Put The Time In To Learn It.

I've used Gibbs for a few years. It is easy to use as long as you pretty much forget about every thing you've learned from other CAM package interfaces.

If you are green, and just learning, it would be really easy to pick up. The Drawing functions are completely bass akwards from any other package(ACAD, MC solidworks and such). It's strengths seem to be in 2.5D work. I can't speak for surfacing and multi axis stuff.

I picked up One CNC. And so far I'm quite happy with it. It has it's limitations as does every package. But so far it's strengths far outweigh the minuses.

I Also Have A Full Seat Of Gibbs, Your Are Correct It Is Very Strange To Learn To Draw With Lines And Connection Points. I Don't Care For It. I Am Also Not Very Good At All With It. Procam Is Ok For 2d Stuff That Is What I First Learned On. I Am Very Good With Camworks 2.5 Or 3axis, And 4 Axis Positining Is Not Much Of A Problem. I Am Now Getting Into Rotaty Milling But Camworks Has Bugs With It Because Not Alot Of People Use It.

big_mak,

For the work you are doing with OneCNC, how are you creating geometry?

Can you elaborate on the limitations (of OneCNC)? Thanks.

I have used camworks for the last 5 years prior to that mastercam.
I have found camworks to be the most cost effective software and user friendly cad/cam I have ever run across. The support is second to none
I honestly do not believe that there is any better software for the money on the market. I am a mold maker and run this software in my 4 axis fadal high speed machining centers. Its nice when you can cut a cavity on the first shot with no mistakes or scrap. If you want the best get camworks. My dealer is cimtronics out of Rancho Cugamonga and they are also my support line give them a call it's well worth it.
Bob Godwin

Hi, my company is using solidworks to do 3D design and try to get a desktop cnc milling machine. Many desktop cnc use Mach3 as machine controller. Since solidcam or camworks intergrated inside the solidworks, I guess we will get those two as Cam software. Dose anyone know if camworks or solidcam can works with Mach3? Or someone know any post processor can works with camworks?

Your Local Camworks Dealer Should Be Able To Write You A Post For Any Machine Control.

I have used camworks for the last 5 years prior to that mastercam.
I have found camworks to be the most cost effective software and user friendly cad/cam I have ever run across. The support is second to none
I honestly do not believe that there is any better software for the money on the market. I am a mold maker and run this software in my 4 axis fadal high speed machining centers. Its nice when you can cut a cavity on the first shot with no mistakes or scrap. If you want the best get camworks. My dealer is cimtronics out of Rancho Cugamonga and they are also my support line give them a call it's well worth it.
Bob Godwin

Bob,
We have been using CAMWorks since it became a Gold partner to SolidWorks. I do not know how you can claim that CAMWorks has never made mistakes or scrap unless you have spent numerous hours inspecting every line of the program. CAMWorks' lead-in and lead-out on the 3-axis milling is crap. We have welded more tools using this "feature" than with other CAM packages. CAMWorks 2007 is nearly worthless for anything but 2.5 axis work. The 3D and up features are slow and shut down our computer systems very often. As for Cimtronics, their support is marginal at best. I once called in regards to a threadmill application. The "Tech Suport" person said that he did not know anything about thread milling. What the ****! Any way, we are so frustrated that we have discontinued our matianence contracts and are switching to SurfCAM.

All the talk about integration is great. CAMWorks only updates about 5% of the time and only if the parts are native SolidWorks files. The AFR is marginal at best and one finds themselves double checking the 'choices' AFR makes anyway. It is way faster to disable AFR and create the items right the first time.

Best of luck. You will join the rest of us CAMWorks users as Teksofts R&D folks. Check out the Teksoft forum.

Bob,
We have been using CAMWorks since it became a Gold partner to SolidWorks. I do not know how you can claim that CAMWorks has never made mistakes or scrap unless you have spent numerous hours inspecting every line of the program. CAMWorks' lead-in and lead-out on the 3-axis milling is crap. We have welded more tools using this "feature" than with other CAM packages. CAMWorks 2007 is nearly worthless for anything but 2.5 axis work. The 3D and up features are slow and shut down our computer systems very often. As for Cimtronics, their support is marginal at best. I once called in regards to a threadmill application. The "Tech Suport" person said that he did not know anything about thread milling. What the ****! Any way, we are so frustrated that we have discontinued our matianence contracts and are switching to SurfCAM.

All the talk about integration is great. CAMWorks only updates about 5% of the time and only if the parts are native SolidWorks files. The AFR is marginal at best and one finds themselves double checking the 'choices' AFR makes anyway. It is way faster to disable AFR and create the items right the first time.

Best of luck. You will join the rest of us CAMWorks users as Teksofts R&D folks. Check out the Teksoft forum.

I totally agree with Itmquik on this topic. We have been using Camworks for about 1 1/2 years now and we're to the point now that we only use it for 2 1/2 axis stuff. I have a friend with a shop in town and I go there and "buy" programming time and program the 3D stuff on his seat of Mastercam. Yes, from what I've seen, the 3D capability is that bad!!!

It does work well for the 2 1/2 axis parts -- after spending in excess of 50 hours modifying the Tech Database. The AFR isn't what they bill it to be -- I end up creating about 90% of the profile definitions myself. We do alot of prototype/one-off parts with short lead times and don't have the time/material to afford "setup" pieces on every single order -- it's got to be right the first time.

With the exception of a couple of people that program their custom posts the knowledge of Cimtronics' tech support people has not been impressive.

We are currently considering cutting our losses and switching to Mastercam for our CAM package. It's hard to do when you've got so much time and money invested in something though.......

Please keep in mind that the shop I work at does alot of very involved parts using some difficult to machine materials -- so YMMV. I think it would be a good choice for a shop that does fairly straight forward parts with "standard" types of features.

Just my $.02.
-Jeff

I've been following the camworks thread for a while. OK, it appear that there is a growing concensus that camworks is crap for 3D stuff. Has anyone used SolidCAM and does anyone have a feeling for how well it works.

Thanks

There are good and not so good features with CAMWorks. This is the case with all software. I think that one could purchase three (3) systems and utilize alittle from each but none would ultimately be the best at everything for everyone.

See my earlier post on our experience with CAMWorks. Teksoft is struggling right now to fix CAMWorks 2007 which was released too soon.

The number one feature of CAMWorks is the fact that it is fully integrated into SolidWorks. The rebuild feature is nice but can be a PIA when working with large files.

You can go to Teksofts web site for the CAMWorks forum to see the ins and outs of the people that use it daily.

Jeff,

I know what your talking about. I have 3 different CAD systems that I work in regularly and the only thing saving me is that they all read each others files (more or less). It's unfiortunate that some companies feel they have to rush something into production before it's really finished. But it's often the reality of the marketplace.

SolidCAM fully integates too (so I have been told), I just don't know what it's strengths and weaknesses are yet.

Steven

I to am in this boat, however I currently don't have a horse in the race. I've downloaded SolidCAM's demo software [off their site, you just have to register] but so far I haven't made too much headway w/ it. All I'm really looking for is a 5 axis CAM which does simultainious movement w/ a normal to vector. The head travel is then limited to a certain number of degree's over which the CAM would then switch out of normal to and use the side of the cutter. [ If that situation ever arose] I've had some problems getting them to reply to my questions via Email. Currently I've a buddy at SolidWorks World so he's going to check them out for me.

I also did a demo of Visual Mill's 5 axis software [ the new version 6 which is just coming out] but haven't had a chance to talk to anyone about the actual pricing yet.

Before I buy my next CAM [ I've got a 4 axis already] I'm going to get an actual part demo and real code to test. I plan to email them my part after I start the demo[so I get a 'live' demo], let them open it and use a prior sent list of tools to do the tool path for my part. This way I can hold the hype of a demo to a minimum and see things in the 'real world' situation vs their pre-planned barrage of techno babble... Then I'll run the code and see if I'm happy. If not, possibly do another run w/ the software demo people to see if it can be improved. If I do this w/ 2-3 CAM suppliers I think I'll get a better feel for what is going to work best for me. And see where one software set stumbled and where it didn't in comparision to the others.

I'm still 6mo away from needing a 5 axis CAM anyway so I'm reading and waiting patiently in the mean time.

Jerry [off to Teksoft's website for some more reading..]

Jerry,
cwuser
coolstuff
for the Teksoft forum.

You are right on for making the CAM provider use your parts. Most of the time they glam the product with samples and tutorials of parts they made and tested thousands of times. If you go with CAMWorks I can be of assistance if you need. We use CW and SurfCAM. We write posts for all of our machines and software.

Jerry,

Sounds like a good test you have in mind. Please keep us posted with the results. In my case I can't ever see using more than 4 axis (of course up until a few weeks ago I would have said I can never envision using more then 3 axis).

Steven

I will, I just found out yest that Visual Mill's new version [6.0] w/ the 5 axis simultainous module is going to be nearly $10k, which is about what I've got for a CAM already, so we'll see what happen's. Still looking into the SolidCAM thing before I go any further..


Jerry

Does any body have a kurt Vise drawn in solidworks? If so could you post it.

They have them all available on thier website. I was going to send you the one I downloaded, but it is an 810. I'm guessing you want the more common 688 or 60.

http://www.kurtworkholding.com/downloads/index.php

Hello everybody,

I´m a begginer in CAM process. In our school we have got a Fagor CNC control. We need a CAMWORKS postprocessor for this CNC control. Can anybody help me?. Where can I find this file?.

Thanks a lot!

Jose Luis Prado

Have you tried the Camworks website? Look at previous posts to see the details.

Teksoft has removed all post processer files from their website.
The UPG is still there, but no more source code.
Someone on the teksoft forum said it's a new policy.

Teksoft has removed all post processer files from their website.
The UPG is still there, but no more source code.
Someone on the teksoft forum said it's a new policy.

Well that sucks!
Nothing like promoting your own software! Would not mind betting this policy will put a fair chunk of people off buying their software!

Send me via e-mail some existing code from the machine and I can taylor a post for you.

Do you know what the control is based from, ie Fanuc or Siemens?

jlange@ltm-inc.com

Jeff, I posted this in Solidworks forum too, I thought you may be waiting for this if you had upgraded to version 2008.

Camworks 08 SP2 has been there for over a week, but it's not linked yet.
I think they are waiting for the unveiling of their new webpage before linking the file.

The links are:

http://www.teksoft.com/files/CW/CW2008Release/SP2.0/CW2008-07SP2.0EV-EnglishUpdate.exe

and

http://www.teksoft.com/files/CW/CW2008Release/SP2.0/CW2008-08SP2.0EV-EnglishUpdate.exe

Scott

I don't understand why people are complaining about CAMWorks.

I have been using ProE and Mastercam for many years. The latest Mastercam is junk, you need work arounds for everything you could imagine in multi axis. ProE has gone the same way, overly complex for no extra benefit. GibbsCAM lets not even go there, the most backward package on the market. Some one mentioned you need to unlearn what you already know about CAM to use Gibbs, I agree. Maybe a good brain washing or lobotomy will be easier.

I was given a demo of CAMWorks, I have plenty of experience with solid works. I optimized the post in no time, very common sense stuff here. And was cutting 4 and 5 axis simultaneous trial jobs in three days. Perfect tool paths, straight forward stuff. A week later I purchased two 5 axis licenses, will not be updating my ProE license.

I'm about to offend a heap of people, as far as I'm concerned it seems that people are just too damn lazy. The CAMWorks tutorials are great, they tech you the basics on which you need to add your own knowledge and understanding and be prepaired to do some experimenting. Someone mentioned the rapids gouging their die work, YOUR FAULT. The provision is there for you to automate all global and local retracts, rapids, skims, lead ins, lead outs, speeds and feeds for each machining process even each tool type and or size. Not only that the simulation is spot on, the best in any CAM package I've seen. How can you get is wrong?? LAZY....

Everyone seems to spend endless hours researching tooling and machinery, but when it comes to software, they write it off just because they cant figure something out in a few hours. Dig in deep thats where the answers are, not in the top icon bar, well with CAMWorks there is plenty do find, but the others :confused:. Nothing.

As far as AFR, you need to configure the software to your requirements and it will do 90% of your 2.5 axis tool paths automatically. You do need to tweak it every now and then, but hey no other package comes even close. For multi axis no need for AFR, you machining strategy most often varies across the one job.

In the end the most important thing is to bug the hell out of your software reps for demos, get them to extend your demo license to a month. If they want your business they will do it. And then dive in deep and learn the behind the scenes stuff of the CAM package, the settings the knowledge libraries, how to modify or add your own data. Custom tool setups. One other thing is chamfer cutting, there is not many packages that will allow you to cut a chamfer with a few clicks (CAMWorks does). So once you can see how much or how little ultimate control you have in the end process, it should be easy to decide on the package. I'd take a gamble here and say that 80% would choose CAMWorks.

PS: I also heard good things about SolidCAM from a reliable source, afraid I haven't tried it.

I'm glad Camworks fits your bill. I demo'd it, and had a native SW model, and the feature recognition didn't recognize all the features in a pocket, and cut them away. Not good!

There was another issue. During the Demo I was given an upgrade to try, and they reseller couldn't get around the licensing to get it up and running and screwed the old version so I couldn't even demo that anymore.

That left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

I had the time to play with it, and I was excited about it. The experience was a bit of a downer.

Perhaps your reseller is a bit more versed in the package itself.

Goodl luck and happy CAMing

Snip..
PS: I also heard good things about SolidCAM from a reliable source, afraid I haven't tried it.

That's too bad Max! I'd love to hear your comparison of the two. I've pretty much decided to buy one of the two [for the last year +] but just haven't pulled the trigger..

Jerry

big_mak you got a dud rep it seems. My rep ain't the best either, but with my experience I was able to overcome these issues. AFR works good once you configure it in relative to the type of jobs you do, e.g. if you machine many pockets with islands then you need to optimize the database to give you the results you require. The thing I love about it is that you can configure it to what ever you want it to do. Get your hands on the demo and go through the database, cover everything from form tools to feature based machining setups. Once you can see the possibilities you will fire up, and come up with an action plan, sit down and nut it out. Then let the chips fly. I'm so confident with my setup now that I don't do any dry runs, I just let fly at full speed. People say thats is silly, but I haven't broken a tool in years and also no crashes.
Most people use their CAM as if it is an evil necessity, make it work for you like any tool that you own.

JerryFlyGuy would like to try SolidCAM one day. Will try and get a demo at the next engineering trade show.

snip.. Will try and get a demo at the next engineering trade show.

Max, if ya wanna short circuit the wait until then, go to SolidCAM.com and create an account [they want an email and a name] and you can down load the demo from their site.

:D

Jerry

The beauty and downfall to camworks is in the technical database. The afr(auto feature recoginition) right out of the box is kind of iffy. So you will not be impressed if you take your part and let it program it for you. letting my data base do it would problaby program a simple part in 30 seconds using the tools I have told the data base to use. I have been tweaking my data base for the last year and a half. I would say that 80 percent of my parts program thru the afr. It probably took a month for me to get comfortable with the data base making changes ect. I also have tweaked my engineers on how draw some things to help me out, certian radio buttons turned on will help the afr reconginze features better. Once again it is kind of frustrating out of the box but right I cant think of any better system for our needs. As far as the 3-d goes I also am having success with that. A little more trial and error than with the 2-d but once you figure out what works for you , teach it to your data base and its done forever.
mike

I've said it before, all CAM systems will have features that are better and worse than others. As for the AFR, I NEVER use it! It is a POS in my opinion. Sure one can tweak the TDB to figure out most of the features. But what about the ones it misses. I figured that by the time I verified and fixed the area the AFR "chose" that I could have just created the features as fast. I also would never let some software decide what to do and just figure it was right, head out to the mill and watch chaos unfold before my very eyes. About the only thing the AFR does remotely well is figure out holes. But you still have to verify this very closley as if the model changes the AFR rarely updates all the chages correctly.

Along those lines, I think it really stinks that the resellers show perspective buyers the 'golden' model. They have this part that is tried and true. They show you and DEMO of the part and all the worlds problems are solved by this AFR or other wiz-bang feature. The customer buys the software and can't get their parts to work. I always make them do the demo on one of my parts that way I know what the software can do. This is also a good litmus test for the knowledge of the reseller. A big RED flag if they struggle. What do you think their support will be like?

My $0.02....

I agree Jeff and Mike,
I've used Camworks for over 6 years, the AFR is a nusiance, I have it all turned off.

***Added : Jim Peyton uses the AFR with great success, but only after many many hours of tweaking.

Right, to post a included demo file is no way to evaluate the software, the demo will always post perfect the first time. There are people using Camworks that have spend a lot of time (read years) tweaking the database, to get it working perfect in just a few hours is BS.

Scott


...I had .02 too :-)

We have been using CW for 4 years now and i would say the problems we encounter are no worse than any other softwares out there. with updates there are always new issues but thats the nature of the beast when your upgrading. as far AFR we have had good luck with it. its all in how well you have your TechDB setup. we can even pick up reamed holes and it will pull up whether it is for a press or slip fit ect. CW's database in one of the best ive ever seen but it does take time to get it set up, but once its set up its set up. as far as doing 3d we have had only a hand full of issues that caused us much greif but that just gets you out of your box and gets you to program it a little differntly. as far as lead in/outs in the 3d i feel they could be imroved but have never had to weld a part up from them. we do mainly tooling here so we do alot of 3d work on the top side with 2d on the bottom and sides.

bigsmac:
Hi!, I was reading your post and I saw you very experimented in Cam Works. I would ask you if CamWorks postprocesor is complicated to understand (Like MasterCam, you have to know a program language) or if it easy like in VisuallMill. I would like try it for MACH2

Regards
Tiwanacote

bigsmac:
Hi!, I was reading your post and I saw you very experimented in Cam Works. I would ask you if CamWorks postprocesor is complicated to understand (Like MasterCam, you have to know a program language) or if it easy like in VisuallMill. I would like try it for MACH2

Regards
Tiwanacote



It is so easy even a caveman can.... Yeah right. One does have to understand GT's 'program language' to work on the posts. If VisuallMill is easy and working for you, I would suggest that you stay with it. CamWorks is a very powerful tool and has abit of a learning curve.

Thank you for your advice, Jeff!

Tiwanaco

Does anyone have a copy of Camworks feed/speed editor.. lost file. need tu run a simulation

Does anyone have a copy of Camworks feed/speed editor.. lost file. need tu run a simulation

You can download CamWorks software at www.teksoft.com, username: CWUSER, Password: coolstuff.