FeatureCam

[Skillet]

Hello,

I have been a FeatureCam user since the beginning, under the Bridgeport umbrella. Would like to find other FeatureCam users to exchange tricks and or secrets pertaining to FeatureCam. I'm open to talk from 2 axis to 5 axis and everything in between.

Thanks for looking!

Skillet

[duluthboat]

Hi Skillet,

This seems to be a little used section in this forum, not many of us FeatureCam users here. I have been using it since V2 or 3, now we haven’t upgraded past V7. I use it for 3 axis mills and also some FeatureTurn for lathes. Welcome to the forum.

Gary

[Skillet]

Gary,

I'm up to V10 (2004), and they have made some nice changes since 7 came out. I also see that not many folks in here are using it. I don't know if it is because of the expense or if some of these other systems are better. I use EZ CAM a good bit,too. What type of work are you doing?

Skillet

[duluthboat]

Skillet,

I do repair parts and tooling for a major airline. Many of the parts are similar but never identical, so everything is costume. I usually have blanks made up and I work with engineering to decide on the needed changes. They always want the parts before I start, so time is a big factor. Without FC and cnc it couldn’t be done. I do a little 3D, but mostly 2 ½ D. I also have an EZPath lathe and a PowerPath turning center. The PowerPath mostly sits idle, I use it for bushings. It’s a pretty impressive shop for 2 people, everything was new 7 years ago. I’m an old school tool maker that made the leap into the world of computers.

The thing I like about FeatureCam is that I very rarely make it crash and it seems to be able to do anything I ask it to. The simulation has save me from major mistakes many times. If I get it wrong the first time, on the machine, I’m late. I’ve been to classes with EGS and always amazed at the diversity of the people using it.

So what about you?

Gary

[Skillet]

I work at the local university in high energy physics, so our work is also ones and twos. We pretty much work for universities around the country and all the big accelarator labs. It is cool work but sometimes very hectic. We have a couple of Fadals and a Bridgeport EZ-TRAK, and I have a new ROMI M27 lathe with the Fanuc 21 controller. Basically, the same thing as your path lathe.
I started programming with EZ-Cam and later switched to FeatureCam. I use both of them still, but I find that FeatureCam is better suited to the machines, especially with 4th and 5th axis stuff. When I get a chance, I'll send you a link to our web page. If you have a few minutes to look it might have some interesting stuff for you.

Later,

Skillet

[Skillet]

Sorry it has taken so long to get back here. We have been covered up with stuff from everywhere. Anyway, I told you I would send you a link to my shop. I hope this will work.

http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/physics...ties/shop.html

We need to update our page, but it might be interesting. I talked with the folks at EGS this week and it looks like they will release a new version of FeatureCam this summer. I think they are moving more toward Swiss turn machines, which will be something new for them.

Skillet

[duluthboat]

Hi Skillet,

LOL!!! Your shop is so much similar to mine I think you could take my place without missing a beat. I might take a little longer to get up to speed at yours. I have been lobbying hard to get our software upgraded. Part of the problem is, though our 7 year old shop is like new, the PC with Win 98 OS needs to be replaced along with the software. We are still under a very strict budget. For 2 1/2D and 3D work I have yet to find anything that V7 couldn’t do.

Gary

[Skillet]

You are right! V 7 is still capable to handle most 3D stuff. I do a good bit of surfacing, and went out to Salt Lake last year for training on 3D modeling. But if you aren't doing 4th and/or 5th, V7 is great. I really liked that version! Then they started to break into Feature Recognition and a more Modeled look, kind of like Pro_E and Catia. That is really cool stuff, but if you are not importing those type files, it won't matter. I have been very happy with the support EGS offers. I don't know if you ever need help, but they have a superb staff. I talk to them so much, they know me when they answer the line. I know they offer some kind of maintenance upgrade, that will bring you up to the current version and give you a year of unlimited phone support. Plus when you do that, they guarantee you they next version, free.
Check it out!

Skillet

[hardmill]

Hi guys,
Did'nt want you two hogging this thread all to yourselves,
just figured i'd stop in and say "HI"


PEACE

[Skillet]

Thanks for looking in! We don't seem to be burning up a lot of new ground here, but nice to meet you. What end of the business world are you from?

Skillet

[hardmill]

Hardmilling, hence the name and avatar,
Pleasure to meet you guys.
I've heard some good things about your software from an
associate, myself i'm a Mastercam user and am always pleased
to hear of others who are happy with their choice of software.
Carry on with your discussion, and feel free to ask if you need
anything.

PEACE

[Skillet]

I hope everyone is well, as I have been busy as H*** lately. I'm so happy that one of my old buddies has found me in this forum. We go back quite a ways, and from totally different backgrounds. That goes to show how small our world is getting. I've been hoping to run into some other FeatureCam users here but it doesn't seem that popular here. I need to pick some other people's brains, so I can leave the EGS folks alone for awhile. I know I bug the heck out of them, but they are tough and they can handle it!

Skillet