Cam for Solidworks

[ikke]

In our shop we are looking for a new CAM integrated in Solidworks for milling.
We don't make large series.
The parts can be very complex.
We have 3 3-axis and 5 5-axis milling machines of various sizes.
The different CAM-solutions we are looking at are:
- CAMWorks
- Delcam for Solidworks
- HSMWorks
- Hypermill for Solidworks
- Mastercam for Solidworks
- SolidCAM

I have a few questions:

• Is there a CAM that is able to use the tolerance from the sketch? (for example 200 +0/+0.5) Will this be milled as 200 or 200.25?
• Is the Post-processor open to modification?
• Are the calculations performed in the background?
• What CAM-programs have good feature recognition?
• Is there a CAM capable of using a 90° angle head (on a 5-axis machine)?
• Ease of use?
• Simulation with machine model?
• 5-axis linking movement between operations? (versus retract to safety)

[giz]

CAMWorks has the best feature recognition technology out there. However, it's not fully utilized with 3- and 5-axis features (this will be true for all of the other packages you list as well).

The CAMWorks posts are open to modification, and one could be made to accommodate a right-angle head (handling this in the post is probably the easiest route to take).

It has the capability of simulating the machine, but again, most of the programs you list will. They all license and share the bulk of their technology. CAMWorks sets itself apart through it's use of automatic feature recognition and the Technology Database.

[BurrMan]

Slipped #6 in there when nobody was looking