Thread: 5 Axis CAM Programs

Hi All,

I have been using surfcam for several years now and am growing tired of the difficulties using it to generate 5 axis programs. The lack of a good vector manipulation module also adds to the pain of using surfcam. I have looked at a few other programs but I thought I would see what the general consensus here on the forum when it comes to 5 axis cam programs. So what is your favorite, what do you use now, and what would you like to see added to a 5 axis programming system to make it better.
I am only interested in how well they handle 5 axis fully interpolated movement forget the 3 + 2 crap.

Scott

I would also love to know which software is best for 5axis programming.
From the looks of it, PowerMill by DelCam is very nice.
I would love to get my hands on it but its hard to justify because we are only doing point and shoot on our Live tooling lathe.

Having used Surfcam i dont think you will find alot of software that is easier to use though.

What's your budget?

Big players in 5 axis are Work NC, Hypermill, and Esprit.

I imagine that NX and Catia are also very good.

For turning Partmaker, for mill Hypermill

Robert my ±2

I just got a seat of NX and made my first 5 axis program this week. 3+2 positioning and some 4 axis blending moves...The software gives you so much control over your toolpath. You can customize almost everything down to the minor details where as other CAM systems make you use their templates and coded strategies. The guy teaching me NX used to be a master cam rep for 15+ years and has shown me some pretty amazing stuff that he has turn keyed for a lot of the local places around here...

As already mentioned, WorkNC is very good at 5-axis toolpaths. Easy to do, and great results.

Dan

Ditto on the NX... ;-)

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Bill

Another vote for NX and Esprit. Top of the line and top of the budget!

+1 for NX here too.