CAD software for metal stamping company

[TiagoFigueiredo]

Hello,
I need some help from all of you.

I'm, with some friends, creating a new company, where we will develop metal stamping tooling (progressive and transfer dies). We are evaluating the needed softwares, and the most proper ones from our job.
Today in the company that we all still work, we use NX and CATIA (I'm a CATIA user). But as far as we have noticed, CATIA and NX are truly expensive softwares, and we need to ponder what to use for our new company.

What we are evaluating.
For simulation we had chosen autoform (that's closed)

For cad we have several possible solutions.
CATIA -> Not much probable, due to price

NX -> Not much probable, due to price

Creo -> interesting choice, but there is some lacks. To create metal stamping layouts, determine the pre cuts, make some quick analysis to metal stamped parts, there is not enough good tools. But for modeling and general surfacing, looks really powerful. Price looks reasonable.

Cimatron -> Very nice to determine the pre cuts, make some quick analysis to metal stamped parts. For 3d modeling there is plenty of libraries for metal stamping tools, But we don't know much about their capabilities to Draw. Price we still don't know.

ZW3D ->Very nice to determine the pre cuts, make some quick analysis to metal stamped parts. Interesting modeling options. Very low market share. Really interesting price

VISI ->Very good to determine the pre cuts, make some quick analysis to metal stamped parts. Interesting morphing capabilities to prevent spring back. Looks good also in surfacing and in general preparation of parts surfaces. It doesn't work with individual parts, it's parametric philosophy it's to limited. Price we still don't know.

SolidWorks -> we have tested it and there is a few things that we have disliked it, so it's not in the equation.

SolidEdge -> we have tested it and there is a few things that we have disliked it, so it's not in the equation.

Autodesk Inventor -> we have tested it and there is a few things that we have disliked it, so it's not in the equation.


Looking to our resarch, there is not a software that can provides a powerful choice for every area that we will need. So we are open to have 2 softwares for diferent needs.

For example:
Visi + Creo
Visi + Cimatron.

What do you know about these softwares, and their capabilities for this type of work?
Do you know any other softwares that can fulfill our needs?

Thanks

Tiago Figueiredo
Tooling Engineer

Youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1qdlBeJJEgMgpPLVJoOIOw

 

[ProEpro]

Does it matter what your customers use?

 

[TiagoFigueiredo]

Hello,

Not really. Most of my clients or customers are oppen to receive an stp file.

Tiago Figueiredo
Tooling Engineer

Youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1qdlBeJJEgMgpPLVJoOIOw

 

[pyromech]

I use Creo everyday. Stamping will fall under sheetmetal module. I dont necessarily use it, just occasionally when given a project. Due to our TDP needs, we have to use a PDM database thus Windchill fits perfectly. it is the top tier on its own. I dont think Teamcenter NX can even compete.. But both of these softwares are neck and neck. I dont think CATIA is there though they tout themselves as is.
Creo has a big learning curve.

 

[TiagoFigueiredo]

Why you don't think that CATIA isn't there?
I saw there is some fresh news from CATIA side. In 3d Experience, there is in the 2018 release a metal stamping role, and looks really powerfull.
From generally modeling, i don't have the knowledge of creo to say. But CATIA working in its full power, in metal stamping, can really rocks! But has a really high price!!!

Tiago Figueiredo
Tooling Engineer

Youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1qdlBeJJEgMgpPLVJoOIOw