Mike RzMachine
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2007
- Location
- Utah
We have been using Mastercam X5 running inside solidworks productively for the past several years and are interested in improvements to our work flow and general day to day efficiency. I've looked into some of the training offered by our reseller and I think we need something different, though I am still discussing with them. In the past, our reseller solidworks training has been a sales pitch for the newest features of solidworks and less of an overall improvement of how to use the tool, and from discussions, the mastercam training looks similar.
As it stands, one of our programmers brought in his experience using mastercam and has mostly defined a way to handle most situations which come up. We are running into limitations on many items that are chewing up time. Listing a few examples below:
- We are a low rate production shop (lots of 10-50 pieces) and machine parts designed in house. Engineers export a step file from solidworks to serve as a snapshot in time of the part to be machined to accompany a fully dimensioned drawing for each revision. The step file also serves as a static model which we can add or remove features, but not change fundamental geometry. When new revisions are released and a new step file is imported, toolpaths are blow away so the old program just serves as a reference and work is repeated.
- We run a milltronics VM-16 with 10K spindle, machining about 75% aluminum and 25% steel (4140, 17-4) parts. All parts are heavily pocketed, lots of thin walls and weight reduction features. I'd like to find out if the dynamic tool path features would be an advantage for our shop and would require training to ramp up on that functionality.
Can anyone recommend a training service which can take into account our current work flow, make a plan to suggest improvements and then provide training on the improved work flow? Ideally in person training, on our site or at a trainer facility ideally close to Pittsburgh, Pa.
Thanks,
Mike
As it stands, one of our programmers brought in his experience using mastercam and has mostly defined a way to handle most situations which come up. We are running into limitations on many items that are chewing up time. Listing a few examples below:
- We are a low rate production shop (lots of 10-50 pieces) and machine parts designed in house. Engineers export a step file from solidworks to serve as a snapshot in time of the part to be machined to accompany a fully dimensioned drawing for each revision. The step file also serves as a static model which we can add or remove features, but not change fundamental geometry. When new revisions are released and a new step file is imported, toolpaths are blow away so the old program just serves as a reference and work is repeated.
- We run a milltronics VM-16 with 10K spindle, machining about 75% aluminum and 25% steel (4140, 17-4) parts. All parts are heavily pocketed, lots of thin walls and weight reduction features. I'd like to find out if the dynamic tool path features would be an advantage for our shop and would require training to ramp up on that functionality.
Can anyone recommend a training service which can take into account our current work flow, make a plan to suggest improvements and then provide training on the improved work flow? Ideally in person training, on our site or at a trainer facility ideally close to Pittsburgh, Pa.
Thanks,
Mike
When I was living in IN we had the guy that did the training classes come to our facility for two days training. The biggest issue you will have to overcome is you are using such an old version, it will be hard to find support. At the risk of sounding like a sales pitch (no, I am not affiliated with MCX), you should really really upgrade. Unfortunately, being off maintenance for 5 years it is going to be pricey, but worth it IMO if you have determined the programming end is slowing you down.
