FOCUS ON CAD / CAM forced to upgrade to a different package . If you buy too much , you may overpay and not use most of the features in a package . One common way that someone may buy too much is purchasing five-axis simultaneous software when it turns out that five-axis positional is faster , easier and less expensive and cuts the parts just as well ,” it explained .
“ The strength of a CAM product can be no greater than the strength of the developer . Users need to examine the developer and consider the following issues ……
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waste money and materials in prototypes . CAD files can also be multiplied . This ensures that you have backups of any prototype in case you want to go back to a prior version . The files can be shared with employees and the customer to ensure the product is modelled correctly before a single product is made ,” explained manufacturer , Meta Fab Inc .
“ Once the model is created with CAD , CAM prototyping controls the machinery to achieve an accurate model . CAM prototyping is essential to bring the product to life successfully . The systems are automated and include a wide range of processes such as cutting ; grinding ; stamping ; milling and routing ,” it added .
Choosing CAD / CAM software
“ Many CAD / CAM software packages are available online , so choosing the right one can be an uphill task . Having discussed the best software for your CAD and CAM needs , here are factors to consider when choosing one ,” suggested manufacturer , Rapid Direct , which has listed various factors below .
Cost
“ Cost is often the limiting factor when choosing CAD / CAM software . The reason is that most CAD packages are very expensive . However , before making a financial commitment to software , ensure that you carry out proper research . The costly ones are not always the best , so look out for the features you need ,” advised Rapid Direct .
“ It is also important to note that most software comes in versions , and later versions always perform better than earlier ones . Keep this in mind when buying software at a lifetime cost or when making a subscription-based payment ,” it added .
Support for CNC techniques
Many CNC techniques are available ( milling , laser , plasma etc .). However , not all software supports them . Before choosing software , you should know the CNC techniques that you need for manufacturing and only use software that supports them .
Rich features
The number of features on software often determines the quality of work it would do . Always look out for software with rich functionality , as it considerably reduces the workload while improving the quality of work .
Support for file formats
“ There are a lot of file types ( STEP ; STL ; IGES ; DXF ; X3D ; Parasolid etc .) used for computerised numerical control processes . The file type usually depends upon the software used in generating your CAD file . It might be problematic if your software does not accept a wide range of files , both importable and exportable ,” cautioned Rapid Direct .
Collaboration with other software
“ Another factor that you should consider when choosing software is its ability to work with other software . This would help to eliminate the time spent on preparing and moving files for manufacture between systems . Always choose software that works and collaborates seamlessly with others ,” concluded Rapid Direct .
Future-proofing your decision
Software developer Autodesk also recommends factoring future growth plans into any software purchasing decisions . Two common mistakes of CAM purchase decisions , it said , are buying too little software or too much ……
“ If you buy too little , you are typically later
■ How many developers and support staff are there for the product ?
■ Does the developer have the resources to continue development ?
■ How often are updates made available ?
■ Does the developer have staff that understand sheet-metal machining or have machining experience ?
“ The quick tip here to purchase from a company that is knowledgeable in the product and will offer excellent support ; one that has shown a long-term commitment to manufacturing and helping their customers ,” it concluded .
It also recommends performing a trial evaluation of the system and actually cutting metal on the machines in the shop .
When trialling CAM software , it told ISMR , take the following into consideration :
1 . Try the software on the largest parts you may work on , to see how well the database handles larger data sets .
2 . Try the software on the smallest and finest parts you may work on , and check the surface finish and quality .
3 . If there were any parts from the past that were particularly difficult to program , try some of those .
4 . Check if there are post processors already available .
5 . Check and use online resources for training , such as YouTube videos , webinars and other online resources .
6 . Check and use online resources for support , such as forums . Check to see if they are active , and if people are getting answers to questions .
And last , but not least , enjoy your final selection ! n
62 | ismr . net | ISMR May 2023