Advantages and disadvantages of CAM Saftwares

[gopinb]

Hello All,
I would like to know about the various CAM packages available in the market like MasterCAM, UG cam, Catia, DellCAM etc, about their advantages and disadvantages based on Features available, functionality, economical.
I would like to know mainly about Catia CAM advantages and disdvantages over MasterCAM, DelCAM, etc.
If you people have any information or any links where I could find such info, please mail me at gopimng@rediffmail.com.
This would be a great help. Waiting for responce,
Regards, Gopinath

[kong]

If you tell the forum users the type of work you are doing, and what you expect of the CAM software, it may help in identifying the possible advantages/disadvantages between the packages.
Hope this helps.

[ghyman]

Catia is VERY expensive.
I used to use Esprit, and it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Unfortunately, they went to a windows look-and-feel and it's been (IMHO) junk ever since. But if you can get an older copy, it is worth having... the post editor is the best I have ever seen, hands down.
PartMaker doesn't look that impressive, but it's actually very good. It's one of my favorites (It excels in swiss programming, where others fall short). They recently added a full 3-d contouring module, but I've not tried it yet. But as far as feeds/speeds database, and the tools and cycles databases, it is very intuitive, and gives very good code.

SmartCam is good, but (last I heard) no longer supported.

And, (now I'll show my age), I still have a soft spot in my heart for APT/CompactII/NiCam... Text-based cam systems should be required learning for ALL programmers!

[gopinb]

Hello all,
Thanks for your replies.
We are into forging die-manufacturing industry. We have Makino machining center. Currently we are using UG for modeling and FFCAM from Makino for CAM. Previously we were using UG cam, but we were not satisfied with performance as the cycletime is very high. Later we purchased FFCAM, and we saw a great reduction in cycletime. Now we are purchasing few more CNC machines (Deckel Maho). Now my company planning to buy new CAM software.
We are thinking to buy Catia as a replacement to UG and also as a CAM software.
Before finalizing we would like to know is it feasible to buy CATIA as a CAM software or not.
So we would like to know how catia is better or worse than other cam softwares.
From one of the replies I came to know that CATIA is very expensive apart from its price how about the features it is provided like prismatic, surface machining operation, is it similar to all other cam softwares or is there anything unique in catia? what are it's strenths and weaknesses?
Also, as cam enthusiast, I would like to have the knowledge of advantages and disadvantages of the CAM softwares in market to enhance my knowledge. Also I am preparing paper on various cam softwares available in the market based on their functions, features, stregnths etc, etc
So any information in this regard is greatly appreciated.
Regards, Gopinath

[Al_The_Man]

Have you looked at the one from your part of the world, Cadem? I believe they still have a trial version.
Al.

[Rekd]

For surface finish and features available, I would suggest either Cimitron or Mastercam. Of the software I've used, those two have the best of what you're looking for, but are somewhat pricy.