Cam software for 4-5axis as well as swiss turning centers

[glenthemann]

Hello everyone,

I am an apprentice and my boss asked me to look into cam software (hes going to send me for training). We know about mastercam, gibbscam and a program called ESPRIT, but we're just trying to find out what would be the best software for our needs.

As I mentioned in the title, we need software that can handle 4-5 axis mills as well as swiss turning centers with live tooling, multiple spindles etc.

We know gibbscam has the MTM plugin for what we need, as well as that ESPRIT offers something that would work for us - we dont know if mastercam offers the ability to handle multiple spindles and live tooling.

We're located in Toronto and part of choosing a program includes being able to get proper training on the program at a school or courses from the actual software developer - there is a mastercam school right around our place of business.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide,

-Glen

[rayzer]

for swiss machining and 4-5axis work use esprit !!

[glenthemann]

Can anyone elaborate at all?

What makes esprit better than gibbs? From other things around here ive read I have gathered that esprit seems to be the better option, but I need some solid reasons to take to my boss. Making such an expensive purchase needs real reasoning behind it, not simply "its better!!"

I guess I should elaborate more, we need the software for everything from simple miyano bnc lathes and 3 axis mills all the way upwards to 5 axis (we're a growing company, and the software should be able to grow with us).

At the moment we have a haas vf4, a matsuura and a milltronics, all currently 3 axis, although we are looking into a rotary table for the matsuura. We also have 2 miyano bnc's and a leadwell lathe, as well as our citizen swiss turning center. We are looking into bigger turning/milling center combinations, as well as 4-5 axis set ups - so we need software that can do everything from the simple to the super complex. The real simple stuff isnt a problem to manually program, and we do use mastercam9 just for the mathematics aspect (the code is generates is terrible according to the man I am apprenticing from, and he says he always has to go through and manually edit it all anyway - could just be he doesnt know how to use the software completely 100% properly, but anyway).

Again a big factor is the ability to go for training. We've heard that esprit is big in europe, and I have looked around and not really found any programs or institutions that offer anything esprit related within our city as of yet. Esprit really does seem like it is what we need, although so does gibbs, so I guess it really comes down to the big differences between the two and how easily it would be to learn/get training/school in each

Thanks again,
Glen

[jeep534]

Esprit seems to be the hot ticket for the guys running Wire EDM machines.
archie =) =) =)

[mactec54]

The learning of Gibbs is the easiest of the 2 & they have better 5axes than what you are looking at, also there MTM is also way better

Get the software companys that you are looking at to come to your shop & do the same parts & you will see a big difference, it is not such a hard choice then to choose which one you want

[jason.scorned]

I'm interested in a response to the last post as well. Also interested in anyone's opinion about PartMaker software. It is very specific to swiss machines but pretty dang expensive..

[billcain]

Hi Jason,

I am probably a little biased because I work here at DelCAM PartMaker division but I truely feel that our product is great. In my opinion we are the World leader for the Multi-Axis machines.

On the side note, When you buy PartMaker for Multi-Axis you also get the Milling and 2 axis Turning Module free of cost. Add a little more to support the 5 axis mills and Surfacing(Surfacing would also be able to be used on your Multi-axis) and you get a complete solution backed by the Largest Cam Centric company in the word, DelCAM.

In any means, please look at any CAM software you need to. Everyone has thier good and bad points.

If you have any questions about PartMaker, please let me know.

[dak1]

Jason,

I agree with mactec54 on the evaluation process. Have them do the same parts, your parts, your way!!!!! Choose parts that contain all the different types of machined characteristics you perform. (Simple hole making, simple near net shape machining, pocket/volume type machining, complex surface machining, thread milling, etc....). Make them demostrate their capabilities in all applicable arenas & don't assume if they do the tough stuff well, that they also do the simple stuff well. (Good 5-axis surface milling doesn't mean good 3 axis holemaking capability). Also consider the type of work you do. If you do recurring or high volume production type work, toolpath custimization/optimization will be more important to you than if you typically do small lot size, non-recurring type work. And by all means, don't under estimate the importance of sustained, quality, customer support & service!!!! Good luck.

Dave