Can someone explain what determines the price of cad and cam software?

[slashmaster]

Was wondering if someone can explain to me why some cad and cam software can cost only 3 figures or less and others can cost as much as 6. I mean I know the more expensive ones will be for 5 axis machines or might have Solid modeling, and countless other features. How come with any other kind of software additional things like this will make it cost only a reasonable amount more but with cad cam software additional stuff cost an astronomical amount more? I was also wondering how much cad cam software declines in value as it becomes old? I mean what did something from say 2000 typically cost and what is it worth today?

[Caprirs]

The smart a@@ answer is supply and demand. The longer answer is the number of people and hours required to develop certain "features" goes up as the complexity of those features goes up. If all that is needed is to do is drill some holes, any old CAD/CAM will do. If 3D surfaces are required, it gets more complicated. If the ability to import someone else's proprietary files (like Solidworks or AutoCAD), then the software company has to send its own staff to those companies and possibly pay licensing fees.

Also, having sufficient staff waiting by the phone twiddling their thumbs until the customer calls needing help costs money. Lower cost software has less support.

Old software typically does not exist. The owners usually pay the upgrade fees to keep their versions relatively current because that also extends their phone/tech support.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by Caprirs Old software typically does not exist.

Typically, when you upgrade software, the license for the older version becomes invalid, so you can't upgrade and legally sell your old copy. And some companies won't allow you to sell your license at all.

[slashmaster]

Thanks Carirs and Ger21!

[Allen123]

I think a really good answer to this question is:

What can the system do? The more features and options a system has the more money it cost.

Also in order to get all those features and options to work right the system has to be setup right. This is where added costs come in.

Most CAD CAM systems are sold through a dealer network.

When you buy from a dealer network you get:

The local support from that dealer, one on one attention.

If you are spending 5-10,000 on a system most likely you are going to spend a few days getting everything setup to run in your shop. So it's a good idea to have someone close to the shop to stop by or some kind of web service help get things going.



If you are spending 5-1,000 there are most likely less options in that software so less to configure to get up and running. If you have a local guy great, otherwise you're on your own or maybe you'll get some support from India.. ( LOL )

Most if not all systems come with 3Rd party products, these cost the CAD CAM companies money so they cost you extra. That helps to get the price up in the system.

Things like file translators , post processors, different types of tool paths, verification or communications software ect.

A way you can cut down on costs is to use a CAM only software. Something that will plug into your design software. Solidworks has more that a few CAM partners that work right in Solidworks.

If you already have solidworks then you'll just need to buy a CAM package that works with it.

Other CAD CAM package sell buy levels level 1 2 or 3. If you need more options you pay more for them. But keep in mind you are paying a dealer from a dealer network.

If you can buy direct that will save you money but very few companies deal direct.

There is no "best" package, it depends on what you are doing!

But let me ask you this if you have a $150,000 VMC why wouldn't you spend $15,000 on CAD CAM?

[tobyaxis]

Bottom line you have to be able to justify the price of software based on what you will make in terms of money for one year plus an additional maintenance fee at the end of that year.

If these numbers look good and you know that a software will do the tasks you need the price is then justified.

This is the price of doing business.

[mc-motorsports]

You get what you pay for. If you need CAM that will program a swiss lathe, it's going to be MUCH more expensive that CAM to program a 2 axis lathe.

What you need to do and what your equiptment is capable of will narrow your search.

And I guess it does come down to supply and demand... The software engineers spend "X" amount of hours writing code and developing the software, then how many buyers do you have? If they were selling it on the shelves at Wal-Mart, it would be cheap! But let's be realistic, they may only sell 3000 seats a year for a high end software, and you have to profit on your investment, otherwise that defeats the purpose of being in business, right?

Some CAM softare suppliers TRY to market themselves on the higher end, we won't mention names, but you can get a seat for 10% of the flasley inflated, bloated advertised price (oh, that was a MAJOR hint!) Others, you'll be luckey to beat the salesman out of 10% off the list price, 5% is more likely. Expensive, yes, just make sure your not buying more than you need and you'll find what fits your budget and meets your capabilities, plus the correct CAD/CAM package that will meet the capabilities of your equiptment will leave your imagination within the ability of your equiptment. But yes, being in business costs $$$... Finding the work that is best suited to the equiptment that you own or purchased is half the battle. I see people argue and ***** about this all the time, I just laugh... Bottom line is CAD/CAM is just another expense, don't spend more than you have to, but don't short yourself either. Pleanty of people here will give you advice...

[jessey]

Hello,

I'm interested in this thread and am new to this forum. Is there a way to get email notifications to this thread other than by posting to the thread? I'd like to follow this subject among others.

Thanks
jessey

[mc-motorsports]

Well, if you post in a thread, you are automatically subscribed. But if you want to subscribe to a thread without posting, up at the top, click 'thread tools' and you'll have a drop down menu. Click 'subscribe to this thread' and you will recieve email notifications and the thread will be under your 'user cp' so you can watch the conversation.

MC