Choosing a 3D Program 6

[meinsnailen]

The company I work with is juggling ideas about regarding 3d design packages.

We build autoparts checking fixtures using mastercam and cimitron for the programming end of it and Mdt v8 for the design side. They are entertaining the idea of switching to SolidWorks for design.

Firstly can SW also be used for cnc programming, how is it as a surfacing program. Ive used Cimitron a bit and it is pretty good in my opinion.
How does it stack up to other programs, anyone...
The SolidWorks boys are coming with their canned demo and I want to know from people in the know not from someone trying to sell it.

Thanks for any input.

Alby

 

[ctopher]

SolidWorks is great for CNC and surfacing. I am familiar with CAMWorks for machining and like it.
Do a search here, there are other discussions on this topic. I hope you go with SW, good luck.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[Heckler]

We use MasterCAM X2 which has direct transfer for SWx files. CAMWorks is made by Techsoft which is another highend CAM software. I personally like MasterCAM.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience every time.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

SolidWorks is a very capable program and should be able to handle your "checking fixtures" easily. However, don't just accept the canned demo. Insist that they model & assemble some of your more complex parts. If they can't do so at the demo, then arrange for a second visit just for that.

As Heckler mentioned, MasterCam has direct import capabilities for SW files but if you are also considering a new CAM package, EdgeCam is very good.

​

Helpful SW websites faq559-520​

How to find answers ... faq559-1091​

SW2006-SP5 Basic ... No PDM​

 

[GregLocock]

CBL's suggestion is good. For added hilarity, ask them to design a part you've recently designed in about an hour, in front of you. They'll probably fail, so give them the chance to go away and have a think and come back.

We did this with some expensive software for which we had 5 choices.

Only one came back. Decision made.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[Theophilus]

I dug this up from the "Certified Parner Solutions" booklet that came with SW 2007--something to consider along-side SolidWorks itself (including the ones mentioned above):

CAMWorks

http://www.teksoft.com

DEPOCAM

http://www.ncgraphics.net

EdgeCAM

http://www.edgecam.com

ESPRIT

http://www.dptechnology.com

GibbsCAM

http://www.GibbsCAM.com

Mastercam

http://www.mastercam.com

SolidCAM

http://www.solidcam.com

SURFCAM

http://www.surfware.com

The CAM stuff's not really within my bag of tricks, but I've had clients who use several of these partners with SolidWorks with success. I guess each aims at a particular market niche and fills particular needs better than others--something to check out for your specific situation.

Surfacing, however, is my bread and butter (I'm an industrial designer). SolidWorks is continually getting better with surfacing, finally with 2007 reaching some good surface continuity controls and abilities to more easily patch in and repair goofy surfaces--plus some great push/pull (not true push/pull point stuff, but a variation I enjoy much more for more precise parametric control) additions I intend to use in some upcoming parts.

Then, the design side of the software is excellent. I've never seen better documentation (Help) for any application--particularly for something as complex as this program--to the degree that I was able to learn SolidWorks on my own. Much more intuitive interface than anything ADESK I've seen and worked with in the distant past, although you'll need to learn a totally different way of thinking/designing from the CAD of yesteryear (I truly felt like I was drawing with crayons when I first switched to SolidWorks from ACAD). It's very free if you want to be free for quick stuff and very solid if you want tight constraints for final engineered parts.

Check it out and take the advice from the posts above--put the salesteam to a test and see what they can show you. I think you'll be impressed, particularly with the ease of learning a completely new design package.

Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.

 

[roguewrench]

We recently switched from Etch-a-sketch (Inventor) to SW and our Model shop (proto machine shop) added Esprit. We currently use OneCNC but are going to switch to MasterCAM after the 1st of the year.

We have improved our output of designs 20%, and translation to model shop improved 100% over this last year. Originally we had to save an IGES surface then an IGES wireframe. Now we save them as STEP files or native SW (dummy files).

At this same time as switching software our company started Lean implementation, now with all the software upgrades we are working to add lean into our office operations with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) having SW with integrated PDMWorks will allow this to be a smooth implementation also.

Our Engineers have stop complaining about the CAD programs and can only complain about time line. A happy engineer is a productive engineer.


CJ Goodrich
Product Design Engineer
Leatherman Tool Group
Portland, Oregon

 

[rfus]

I've put Cimatron and Soliworks up against each other. In terms of desgin, SW has a better UI in some respects and outshines Cimatron in many areas.....but as an open architechture surface modeler, Cimatron is very good, and Cimatron is an all in one CAD/CAM package, where changes in your part geometry automatically update in your toolpaths. Definately continue to use, and get good at Cimatron, but putting SW in your toolbox, as another arrow in your quiver, especially for the cost, is something you should do. Both are great tools. Get the SW demo and start using the packages next to each other for design. SW is not a CNC programming package, but as mentioned above there are many partner solutions. I use Solidwords for design, assembly, drawings, rendering, and use Delcam Powermill as my CAM package.

RFUS