CamWorks, SurfCam, or Gibbs CAM for SolidWorks?
Bart Storrs
with SolidWorks. We are already running SW and are moving away from
A-CAD. We are making the leap into the 21st century by purchasing a 3
axis mill and lathe along with a CAM package. After some brief
research, we are leaning towards CamWorks, SurfCam or Gibbs CAM. Right
now we are leaning more toward CamWorks since it is fully integrated
into SW, but I have concerns with this.
1. Is there a way to effectively pull in A-CAD drawings into
CamWorks?
2. How well do CW and SW work together?
3. Any problems encountered?
Anyone using SW with any of these CAM packages? I would love to chat
with you.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give!!!
Bart Storrs
bart_...@autometer.com
Scott Proctor
production shop, but for rapid prototyping it's great.
"Bart Storrs" <bart_...@autometer.com> wrote in message
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Darryl Jenkins
> 1. Is there a way to effectively pull in A-CAD drawings into
> CamWorks?
Because CW "resides" within SW think its more of a case of SW taking it in.
Its not an area we delve into much at all.
Otherwise rebuild the model in SW, you may be surprised how easy this is
when you have a detailed drawing in front of you.
In addition to this you can build the model in configurations, meaning you
can suppress features (say fillets) and allow CW to use the edge to run a
form tool around, to much more to try and put in here....
> 2. How well do CW and SW work together?
Great..... We have SW and Camworks since Feb 2000
Most of the work put thru CW has been 3 axis moulds for castings.
Nothing real flash but quite efficient to go straight from computer to mill.
We are running CW99plus and there has been some significant changes in
CW2000/1
> 3. Any problems encountered?
Not to many...just getting to understand the way the program "thinks"
Take the training, we have 5 top cam guys who were quite thankful afterwards
Its well worth it.
--
Darryl Jenkins
Symplistic Engineering
Perth, Western Australia
Bart Storrs <bart_...@autometer.com> wrote in message
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Bart Storrs
Thanks for responding to my posting. We haven't yet purchased any CNC machines
and are looking for a 3 axis mill and lathe. The CAM package is the first step
for us since we have already committed to Solid Works. I have heard some
machines/CAM packages can still have problems depending on the type of
controller used. Do you have any recommendations? What machines/controllers
are you using? Ball-park pricing? New or Used?
Thanks again,
Bart Storrs
MFE
Auto Meter Products
bart_...@autometer.com
Darryl Jenkins
We currently have 2 mills, a) HAAS VF4, b)Okuma 6M. with plans for 1 or 2
more
CamWorks comes with a multitude of post-processors, fanuc etc.., the Okuma
is one of the most widely used controller in Australia, but.... from what
one of our machinist just told me you would want to change CW's default
version.
CW does come with a post-processor editor so your can change one or more to
suit you own needs. In addition to this your VAR should also provide a
service to set you controllers to your liking as part of the installation.
As for recommendations etc.... this is not my field and would not know where
to start...( top of the hat or the rim)
Regards
--
Darryl Jenkins
Symplistic Engineering
Perth, Western Australia
Bart Storrs <bart_...@autometer.com> wrote in message
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J Bower
For the mill:
Are you prototyping or doing production?
Materials? Plastic, aluminum, stainless, mold steel?
Size of parts? how much travel do you need X,Y,Z ?
What is your budget, remember toolholders, vises, etc, etc add to the cost.
For lathe:
Same questions, except:
How long and what diameter are you turning?
Chucking or bar work?
If you're under 1" or .50" and doing high volume detailed parts, perhaps a
screw machine is what you need.
CAM Software:
What works well for the mill may not be much use for the lathe.
Depending on the stuff you do on the lathe, you may not have much need for
a CAM program for the lathe.
The "problems" you've heard about probably relate to the "POST"
which is somewhat analogous to a printer driver. Various controls
want their G-Code formatted differently and certain options or specialized
cycles like drilling, rigid tapping, etc. have fairly specific formatting.
Many CAM
programs allow you to edit your POST to make the output file formatted
correctly. Some are easier than others, some don't have a provision and you
either buy another program they sell you to make the changes $$$ , or the
VAR, will
gladly do it for you for a fee $$. Even if you can/do modify your POST, it
can be very
arcane, and it is not unusual to have to manually edit out the occasional
odd bit of
code in a G-Code file.
Fortunately, most of the CAM programs have posts that work for the main
controls
out there and there is a lot of similarity between most of them Hass, Fanuc
OM, OT,
Yasnac etc. are usually represented. You can normally get a normal bread and
butter
program pretty easily. It is subroutines, optional G and M codes that
require the extra
finesse.
I would make the various CAM vendors program some of your typical parts for
you and demonstrate how it's done from CAD file all the way to machined
part, DO NOT BE KIND or
easy on these folks. They ask for their money up front and DO NOT have a
satisfaction guarantee, if your $15K investment turns out to be not so good,
you're stuck. Assume that
they are not being completely forth coming about the program's flaws. CAM
software is NOT
in the same league as SolidWorks as far as funtionality, ease of use and
robustness. They also do not innovate at even close to the same rate as
SolidWorks. If you can, get what ever capability they promise in writing.
You have been warned!
John Bower
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