Toolbert
Stainless
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2003
- Location
- Vashon Island, WA
Given the nature of my work - product development, constantly changing part models, really benefits from a CAM package that operates within Solidworks and enables emailing part models around with the CAM embedded and preserved, even if folks doing the editing don't have a CAM plugin.
I'm giving up on BobCAM and am surprised to see there aren't a whole lot of alternatives. BC is great in concept but too unpredictable to be useful here.
HSMExpress / 2.5d doesn't meet my needs.
HSMWorks is presently available only as a $2470/year subscription bundled with AutoCAD - even if all I need is the Solidworks plugin. That is Autodesk's approach to building market share. I'm not bad-mouthing Autodesk's products but as far as I can tell, I've got ~30 customers using Solidworks and zero using AutoCAD/Inventor/Fusion360 and am not interested in paying for a big bundle of just to get one little piece and then paying that level of subscription in perpetuity.
MasterCAM appears to be the only other viable CAM that runs as a Solidworks plug-in and facilitates sending part models back and forth with customers with the CAM preserved. Or are there others?
Conversation today with the local MasterCAM rep gives a pretty good feeling for MasterCAM Mill doing what I need and with less frustration. The up front cost ($6000) is more than I want to spend but at least it is a buy-once deal, with a reasonable annual maintenance that includes upgrades to future versions in perpetuity.
Has ever regretted buying MasterCAM at least for any reason besides the cost?
Any other lower-budget options to consider?
thanks
I'm giving up on BobCAM and am surprised to see there aren't a whole lot of alternatives. BC is great in concept but too unpredictable to be useful here.
HSMExpress / 2.5d doesn't meet my needs.
HSMWorks is presently available only as a $2470/year subscription bundled with AutoCAD - even if all I need is the Solidworks plugin. That is Autodesk's approach to building market share. I'm not bad-mouthing Autodesk's products but as far as I can tell, I've got ~30 customers using Solidworks and zero using AutoCAD/Inventor/Fusion360 and am not interested in paying for a big bundle of just to get one little piece and then paying that level of subscription in perpetuity.
MasterCAM appears to be the only other viable CAM that runs as a Solidworks plug-in and facilitates sending part models back and forth with customers with the CAM preserved. Or are there others?
Conversation today with the local MasterCAM rep gives a pretty good feeling for MasterCAM Mill doing what I need and with less frustration. The up front cost ($6000) is more than I want to spend but at least it is a buy-once deal, with a reasonable annual maintenance that includes upgrades to future versions in perpetuity.
Has ever regretted buying MasterCAM at least for any reason besides the cost?
Any other lower-budget options to consider?
thanks