Anyone using EdgeCam/ Cimatron/ PEPS Camtek/ Delcam ?

[Klaus]

Anyone using EdgeCam/ Cimatron/ PEPS Camtek/ Delcam out there? Can you please let me know your views on these CAM systems and which one is the best?????

[Mortek]

Klaus,

Why don't you take a look at OneCnc? A very good package and extremely capable program with 3D solids machining, making it possible to molds and complicated parts. Check it out at onecnc.com .....

Ken

[Rekd]

Of the listed programs, I've used Cimitron and Delcam. Cimitron is hard but very capable. Delcam is no slouch either. I've also used GibbsCAD/CAM, Virtual Gibbs, Surfcam, Bobcad, Mastercam and some others. Mastercam is, IMO, the best choice for just about any application.

'Rekd

[Klox]

My previous employer used Peps. He was very happy with it. I can't tell you my opinion about it as i did not use it myself.

Klox

[Klaus]

The reason we are evaluting the above mentioned software is that they offer the full range, namely 2 1/2D Milling/ 3D Milling/ Turning/ WEDM and Electrode Design. The advantage is the fexibility you would have in using the same programmers for the whole range without any extensive training.

Klaus

[Klox]

What about MasterCAM?

Klox

[cadcam]

Like Klox stated MC will do all that you stated.
Feel free to ask about it if you want.

[Rekd]

The reason we are evaluting the above mentioned software is that they offer the full range, namely 2 1/2D Milling/ 3D Milling/ Turning/ WEDM and Electrode Design. The advantage is the fexibility you would have in using the same programmers for the whole range without any extensive training.

Mastercam. It will do everything you need. It has THE best support group I've seen for ANY software. The price is superb for the quality of product.

One thing I didn't mention about Cimitron... the salesmen were women, and the tech support is nill to non-existant.

'Rekd

[rollie]

I'm using Surfcam. Very user friendly. Havn't used it for highspeed machining of molds as of yet but will in the near future.If anyone else is using Surfcam it would be great to hear some input about high speed machining with it.

[HomeCNC]

Delcam won the benchmark I held here at work. I held a benchmark for CAM software that took about 1 year to complete. We had all the heavy hitters up to bat at that time.

PowerMill and PowerShape is still going strong in the shop. I showed the programmers something about visual Basic 6 and they are now creating fantastic automation programs.

One such program we call it 'cruncher'. You run cruncher and select the IGES model, tell the program which tools to use for roughing prefinishing and finishing. The VB program connects to PowerMill and completely generates the tool path stratigy and outputs the gcode.

The group made this VB program so easy to use that they let the shop floor CNC operators use it to create the jobs for the night shift.

[tmabry9433]

I've been using EdgeCam for 7 years i think it's the best out there. BUT their customer service, support, pricing, and polices
are the worst. My complany is pulling out we've had enough,
going to go with either Master Cam, Surf Cam, or Esprit.

[Mikey V]

I have used Mastercam, Surfcam and Cimatron. I currently use Cimatron for all my electrode design and nc programming. I have found that Cimatron has a huge learning curve but is well worth the agrivation once you get the hang of it. I use the IT 13 version and am starting to use their new Elite version 4.2, however I have found alot of problems/bugs with the quick electrode part of their software that has keep me from switching over. I would say that you need to evaluate what you will be doing with the software, Cimatrons IT version13 Quick electrode and Quick compare are the best in the industry, but their new Elite version 4.2 is in need of some major fixes in the in the Quick electrode and nc tool parameters area. The new Surfcam seems to be much improved over the last 2 years, although I do not use this as much as I use to, I think it is still a great choice.

Hope this helps

Mike