Most expensive CAM program

[harley4ever]

Just a curious question. I think its nutzo how much some cam systems are. What is the most expensive cam program you know of and how much?

[dertsap]

i'm probably wrong but catia is the most pricey cadcad software that I'm aware of
a previous neighbour was a salesman for catia and i thing he said the 5 axis package started at 85,000

[mc-motorsports]

Originally Posted by dertsap i'm probably wrong but catia is the most pricey cadcad software that I'm aware of a previous neighbour was a salesman for catia and i thing he said the 5 axis package started at 85,000

Holy hell! Do you get a free machine when you purchase software?

[dertsap]

they kick in a hass and a free lunch

[Geof]

Originally Posted by mc-motorsports Holy hell!....

Isn't that a contradiction in terms?

harley4ever; What do you mean by most expensive?

There is a CAM system starting with the letter 'M' at a price around $15,000 and one starting with the letter 'O' at around half this.

Now consider that I may have a project that can be completed using the 'O' software in X hours but if I chose to use the 'M' software it would take only X/3 hours.

Surely in this case the cheapest CAM software is really the most expensive.

I look at software as a tool, just like a cutting tool; the lowest initial cost may not be the 'cheapest' because it does not give the same return on investment as an alternative which has a higher initial cost.

[harley4ever]

I was just curious as to how much some of the most expensive initial cost were.

[jderou]

I think you can get a 3-axis seat of catia for around $40k, a guy here has one at home. At least once you pay that you are set.....for a year......then you have to pay upwards of $5k in maintenance fees (every year). Even if you don't want to upgrade, it stops working if you dont pay. BS if you ask me!

Oh, BTW if you want 2 seats they will sell them to you for $80k.

[charger19690]

I think it's not how much it costs, but how much of it do you need.

I think MasterCam starts out at about $8k, but it's all the add-on's that bring the cost up, like most software.

I think every option like
Mill levels are $4K +,
Solids $2-$5k
Lathes $4k
Multi-Axis $4-$5k
each Translator $2-$4k

It all depends on what you need to get the job done and how many. It all adds up, like one of the previous posts, it's Return on Investment and it's a tool to get the job done.

The last shop I worked at bought ESPRIT CAM, and rumor had it that they had $80k+ into it, but it was one of the only tools on the market for there 13-axis multi-turret dual spindle swiss machine, per the salesman.

Mike in MN
http://www.cncbasics.com
http://www.cncbasicsforum.com

[Mike Mattera]

ProE can be pretty expensive, simply because you have to have the Cad Modelier in order to use the Cad. But I dont know exact prices.

But "Mots Expensive" I would probably lean towards Catia also. Same thing. You have to have the Cad to get the Cam

Mike Mattera

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by Mike Mattera ProE can be pretty expensive, simply because you have to have the Cad Modelier in order to use the Cad. But I dont know exact prices. But "Mots Expensive" I would probably lean towards Catia also. Same thing. You have to have the Cad to get the Cam Mike Mattera

I have to agree with this. The last time I heard Pro/E Wild Fire 4 and Catia V5 were above $75,000 Fully Blown. That is pretty darn high, but worth it if you need it.