Cam Software Opinions

[MNielsen]

We have a large machine shop with 8 Mazak mills ( both Horizontal and vertical, 3 to 4 axis ), 1 Mitsubishi horizontal mill ( with 4th axis and programable quill ), 2 Hurcos, and 4 Mazak lathes ( 1 integrex ). We have been looking at new Cam software that would let us do all of our programming up front and off of the machine. We have looked at Esprit, Gibbs Cam, Mastercam, Mazacam, FeatureCam, WorkNC, Powermill, and CamLink. We currently have Mazak Camware and we are limited at what we can do with it. We have not had great success in getting answers from the above Cam suppliers and they seem to be evasive on a lot of there questions. What has been your experience with the above manufactures? What limitations have you ran into with there software? How is there support? How often do they update? Have you had serious issues that they have ignored? What is your overall opinion of the above software, or should we be looking at something else?

[al3azim]

Well to answer your question we use MazaCAM.
We also have a combination of Mazaks and some G-Codes. We checked out a bunch of systems to make sure we get the best for the shop and we are happy with MazaCAM. Sure it has a quirk here and there but compared to the others, it is definitely a time saver. We tested them all and we were not biased. We kept an open mind and we were even willing to switch our Mazatrol programming to G-Code if the system we chose did not support Mazatrol. Lucky for us, MazaCAM does them both, so we are left with the choice of the programming we style we want and that works real well for us because of the parts we do.

You mentioned you checked them out, I would check them out again and see if they can help. A second a look is always helpful. You always tend to see something new on a second try anyway.

Good luck

[MNielsen]

You must have come up with a software 3want and need list before picking Geopath, would you mind sharing it with me? I would be interested in what kind of machine work you use it for and what other cam software you are importing your files from. As several of our costumers use software that Geopath doesn't support, this is another feature that has some concerns as we all know how well conversion programs work like DXF and IGES.

[al3azim]

Originally posted by MNielsen You must have come up with a software 3want and need list before picking Geopath, would you mind sharing it with me? I would be interested in what kind of machine work you use it for and what other cam software you are importing your files from. As several of our costumers use software that Geopath doesn't support, this is another feature that has some concerns as we all know how well conversion programs work like DXF and IGES.

Well in regards to our CAD files, our customers send them to us using different systems. We get DXFs and IGES. The IGES is from Catia and Solidworks I believe.
As far as the parts, they also vary. We have the simple parts to some complex parts. It depends on which customer is sending the print. We do not have a conversion program. We ask the customer to export the file into the format we want and it works out great. We have not any major problems. A couple of times we ran into a slight issue and we informed technical support. They got it to R&D and we have a working version within a couple of days.

[cadcam]

Please give an example of a question persay that the Mastercam Dealer would not answer?

I find it hard to beleave that all these software dealers wouldn ot answer you questions.

[MNielsen]

This is the same list of questions that I have asked everyone.

I Have a few question on your software that I hope you can answer.


1- Does it output in Mazatrol Language?

2- Does it output in G and M Code?

3- Is there engraving built into the software?

4- Can it program our lathes ( Powermaster, M4, and Integrex)?

5- Does it keep a tool library?

6- Does it do Tool Collision checks?

7- What software files can it import from in Native language?

8- Can it handle DXF and Iges drawings?

9- Can it handle solid models?

10- Does it have high speed machining functions?

11- Can it import from current part programs?

12- Does it have an autosave function?

13- Can it create new part Geometry?

14- Can it change splines into readable part geometry?

15- Can it extract geometry from a solid?

16- Does it have layering features for holes and surfaces?

17- Does it identify fit and function ( Tapped holes verses reamed holes)?

18- Does it do tool holder interference checks?

19- Does it check for cutter interference, programming with a cutter that it too big?

20- Can you insert a new tool into a finished program?

21- Can you add approach and retract geometry to a program?

22- Does it graph the part and toolpaths?

23- Can you orient a program to the operator preference?

24- Are you able to change the origin point?

25- Are you able to connect lines?

26- Does it have labeling and dimension verification?

27- Do you have 24/7 tech support?

28- What business in our area is using your software?

29- How long has this software been around?

30- What limitations have you run into with your software?

31- How much does a service package cost for 4 seats?

32- How often is your software updated and when is the last time that you have updated it?

33- What would the cost be to come to our shop and train our personal?

34- Can it tell us what lengths the tools need to be to perform what was programmed?

35- Does it have an autoprogram function from similar parts programmed before it?

36- Can we view and get Part Data out on the floor?


Very few Cad/Cam software companies will answer these. Are they not valid questions? Or are we looking for something that is not there?

[cadcam]

I will be answering about 98% of your qustions. te ones I will be not answering is price for the software or training along with who has it in your area.

other wise I will be answering the rest.

I do think it's funny that you ask if it outputs G&M codes.

by that if it didn't it would not be a Cad-CAM software.

but give some time later today and I will start picking them off.
As per I need to get the customers to get some programs running this morning.

thanks for replying.

Jay

[MNielsen]

Thank you for taking your time to answer these. I ask the question about the G and M codes, because the Cam software we have now (CamWare) does not out put in any king of legable G and M code software for anything other than a Mazak. We have a Mitsubishi Horizontal mill that has a 4th axis and a programable quill that we need to be able to program with the G and M code.

[duluthboat]

The FeatureCam people always seem happy to help me. Here is what I know about FeatureCam.

I am not sure about 1, 10, 12, 16, 17, 26, 27, 28, 31, 33, 35, and 36.

Yes to, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, and 34.

7, most.

22, it has simulation of both.

29, more than 8 years.

30, none.

32, seems to be about once a year, we haven’t updated for about 3 years.

Up to V7 I have found very few bugs and find it very stable.

Gary

[cadcam]

1- Does it output in Mazatrol Language? We have an add-on option for this.Most program then IEA.

2- Does it output in G and M Code? all diffrent ways.

3- Is there engraving built into the software? Yes it is an add cost for the Raster to vector along with some fany engraving.
Basic engraving no add cost.

4- Can it program our lathes ( Powermaster, M4, and Integrex)? integrex yes, M4 Yes and the last I have to check for sure.
Most likly yes.

5- Does it keep a tool library? yes it comes with some and you can make more, say for each machine if you like.

6- Does it do Tool Collision checks? yes

7- What software files can it import from in Native language?
Well some come with it and some are added cost for more ,like Catia,UG,Pro-E & Step.
Comes Iges,All Autodesk formats,Sloid works ,solid edge,Parasolid
Cadel,Sat and more.

8- Can it handle DXF and Iges drawings? Anserwed above.

9- Can it handle solid models? for sure, it can make or toolpath.

10- Does it have high speed machining functions? yes

11- Can it import from current part programs? do you want to beable to bring existing Gcode back in to the software?
Need more info on this question.

12- Does it have an autosave function? Yes and can be configuerd diffrent ways.

13- Can it create new part Geometry? yes , Wire,splines,surfaces & solids.

14- Can it change splines into readable part geometry? Yes

15- Can it extract geometry from a solid? wire, surfaces all yes.

16- Does it have layering features for holes and surfaces? Do you mean layers as in have holes on pne layer and surfaces on another?
If so you we call them levels.

17- Does it identify fit and function ( Tapped holes verses reamed holes)? Does not only know the Dia's.

18- Does it do tool holder interference checks? Some. this does not do Gcode varifacation.

19- Does it check for cutter interference, programming with a cutter that it too big? Yes

20- Can you insert a new tool into a finished program?any time, Yes

Wiil get you more later today.

[cadcam]

21- Can you add approach and retract geometry to a program? Yes

22- Does it graph the part and toolpaths? yes

23- Can you orient a program to the operator preference? easly yes.

24- Are you able to change the origin point? At any time. even after you program the part.

25- Are you able to connect lines? yes sir.

26- Does it have labeling and dimension verification? yep.

27- Do you have 24/7 tech support? well you don,t get 24 hour support from the dealer. I dont know of any cad-cam software that offers that.
But you can get help from other users and dealer 24\7 on the mastercam board.

28- What business in our area is using your software? Can not answer that by that is not my area.

29- How long has this software been around? If I remember sense 86-87.

30- What limitations have you run into with your software?
Does not support swiss machines at this time.

31- How much does a service package cost for 4 seats? I am not allowed to quote this over intranet.

Will be back.

[MNielsen]

Thank you for your time in giving me that information. Is there a MasterCam demo disk or downloadable software in demo version that we could see what it does? My MasterCam dealer, who is not very interested in giving us information, claims that we should be looking at the Mill Level 3, and sent me some information that breifly describes it. I would like to know more about all of the software that we are looking at, so we can make a good desicion on what to move forward with. Thanks again.