What is the best 3D CAM Software?

[turmite]

Isn't this one of those questions that doesn't have a right or wrong answer? Best for me and best for someone else may be entirely two different things.

Personally the best 3d cad/cam system would be one that could take my thoughts and produce what my mind sees! That would be the easiest to use. On the other hand ease of use is probably directly related to time in the chair.

This thread and another has definately made me think some and I want to start another thread, related but different. I will come and edit a link in later.

Mike

the link

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...328#post327328

[VMC_Jeff]

Powermill for me for 3D milling, after that Surfcam.

[Tony the Ferret]

Whatever rocks your boat, you must enjoy the overtime and long working hours it gives you.
I presume that you joined a company that had it on site already, so you had no choice. you would be amazed at productivity gains that can be achieved by swapping, some of the Uk users will agree with me, after i showed then ANOTHER package, they especialy prefered Cimatron for Mould & die design, over the cad solution offered by your supplier.

[Delcamfan]

I have personal experience with the following: (By experience I mean at least 6 months)

- Mastercam X and previous versions
- Work NC
- One CNC
- Pro E
- Edgecam
- Surfcam
- Powermill (By Delcam)

The question at hand is vague indeed, but there is a particular software that is better for particular applications... I will do a breakdown as best as I can..I'm trying not to make this too boring....

- Mastercam X and previous versions

Mastercam has made some great strides with the evolution of "X" Some major improvements with the complicated senarios, but my opinion is that its great for 2d applications but by no means is it the best software for any particular application. The tech support is poor for mastercam as well.
I think a 3 axis seat of this is roughly 12K. I have no 5 axis experience with mastercam so I cannot comment on that topic.



- Work NC

Once you figure out the complications of simply loading a file this software can do some incredible things and really can make someone that has zero machining experience look like a 50 year veteran..By this I mean that this software is awesome for complex molds because of the automation it provides. In my opinion this is the best software for moldmaking and similar tasks. If you do much 2d machining stay away from this....it is far too cumbersome and aggravating for simplified applications...The price is about
20K and the tech support is average.



- One CNC

This is a good product can do about anything, but not superior with any specific application. I really dont have a whole lot to say about this...It seems easy to use, but like I said not the best by any means. Im not sure on price.


- Pro E

Again a good product, I have done pretty much every application from complex form blocks to drilling simple die shoes...Somewhat cumbersome to use not top notch according to my standards.


- Edgecam

Ok this software is engineering by the old delcam guys...I like this for a few different reasons: The first is a user friendly control panel, also 2d apps seem to be really nice and drilling lots if different style holes particularly die shoes works flawlessly. It can sort tools by importance and is awesome for that sort of thing....It has decent 3d fuctionality, but is very slow with computations of complex math. 5 axis is really user friendly and is pretty impressive, but again it can be slow. Overall it is good software for an average shop not doing anything super complicated.. Price is about 10K to get you started..


- Surfcam

Anyone who has experience with this software should pretty much like it..Surfcam can do anything with ease..Doesnt have all of the bells and whistles and extra crap that boggs systems down. One downfall is the fact that it doesnt have an undo button..but thats minor compared to the speed and ease that is gained with many applications. The five axis side of surfcam is limited, but as far as two and three axis integration this the most efficient by all means. They have the patent on "true mill" which is phenomenal if used appropiately. The tool sorting was recently added which is a big plus. I really like this software and think it is the best choice for a shop that has a lot of 2d and 3d applications intertwined. This product can computate something very complex with tight precision settings with a quickness. I feel the 14K can be easily recovered in a short time and the tech support in the Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky region is is unequaled. I am an expert (loosely) with the post processors for Surfcam so if any of you need help with a post for surfcam let me know.


- Powermill (By Delcam)

Obviously by my name you can tell I like Delcam products. These products have awesome engineering backing them up..Powermill offers more than any software Ive seen with customization. I feel that for someone who has a solid machining background and really knows where they need to go with cutter paths and tool control this would be it. Powermill is lacking in the 2d area as far as ease of integration, but they are fully aware of most of their issues and are currently implementing fixes. For complicated 3d tasks this is bar none the best software. Multiaxes side is really nice and offers lots of extras with any task. Most effective when used with Powershape but the PS Exchange allows tons of different file importations. Hands down the best software for complicated applications for example: Complicated die details form block etc...Ive used this for extremely complex special instrumentation and component replacement in the medical field.


Sorry I got a little out of control on this guys and remember these are just my views Im not trying to knock any of these down.


So In conclusion

Work NC-----------Best in Moldmaking because of the automation
Surfcam-----------Best for the majority of tool shops...Extremely efficient
Powermill----------Best for the Professional that needs lots of control


There is no one software that is best for everything. So if I could team up two products to use hand in hand, it would be Surfcam and Powershape.

[Delcamfan]

In my conclusion I meant to say Surfcam and Powermill

[tobyaxis]

Well I voted Catia, but it really depends on your Application, Needs, and Over All Machining Capabilities. Meaning 3,4,and 5 Axis Machinery, and what type of Parts you make.

I would say that between Pro-E Wild Fire, and Catia V5 because they have the most options for Machining.

[kamyabzahedi]

Originally Posted by dave1987 What is the most powerful + easy to use 3D CAM software that you have used and why?

I think Edgecam is good for 2D machining and powermill good for 3D

[Chad_Clark]

What about VX it is an excellant program and I think you will find it will stand up to all these programs if not even exceed them.

[Cammotion]

Originally Posted by Chad_Clark What about VX it is an excellant program and I think you will find it will stand up to all these programs if not even exceed them.

Chad,

Care to elaborate on that? I saw a demo of VX a few weeks ago, and the Rep was big on the CAD side of it and while it did seem impressive there, he didn't go too far into the CAM side, because it probably wasn't his forte.

What he did show certainly looked interesting though. He said they were adding some toolpaths in Version 13, and that they were adding an algorithm similar to that of Surfcam's Velocity for roughing. It can't be too similar though because of the patent. My software rep has become a dealer for VX because he was looking for a better modeling solution for ease of use and efficiency. He says VX is the ticket. I'm hoping to get a demo disk from him soon. I'd like to see some others elaborate also.

[vas]

Mastercam

[dannychase]

I have been programming 5-Axis Cnc machines for about 5 years. Ive used Licom's Alpha cam; Very user friendly but not the best for 3d or 5Axis, it used some of the same machining strategies as cimatron. Delcam; not bad at all, good for working with solids. Without a doubt the best software to date is Open Minds HyperMill. It makes light work of solids and after spending ten years on Alphacam i felt the migration was easy. It is one of the most comprehensive Cam packages i have ever had the pleasure to work with. Maybe thats why the MacClaren Racing team now use it.

Why isn't that on your poll

Danny
Finecut advanced engineering

[Chad_Clark]

Originally Posted by Cammotion Chad, Care to elaborate on that? I saw a demo of VX a few weeks ago, and the Rep was big on the CAD side of it and while it did seem impressive there, he didn't go too far into the CAM side, because it probably wasn't his forte. What he did show certainly looked interesting though. He said they were adding some toolpaths in Version 13, and that they were adding an algorithm similar to that of Surfcam's Velocity for roughing. It can't be too similar though because of the patent. My software rep has become a dealer for VX because he was looking for a better modeling solution for ease of use and efficiency. He says VX is the ticket. I'm hoping to get a demo disk from him soon. I'd like to see some others elaborate also.

There would be a lot to go into and I will do that once the VX forum is added to the CAD/CAM forums. It is an excellant modeler and handles all machining aspects from 2D all the way up to 5 axis machining. What you have heard from your reseller is the truth and there is an obvious reason why he has started to offer VX. It's technology is highend and is continuing to grow.