Greetings All,
I am a shop owner/user looking for input from actual users of either NX or Esprit that program and run 3+2 and 5 axis simultaneous, verticals with 4th axis, and lathes with live C axis, swiss style with or without B axis. I am not interested in other CAM providers at this time, I would like to focus on the two listed. I believe both options are good options however I would like to know the biggest complaints from users and any options that I should ask about that are not apparent upfront. “You don’t know what you don’t know, so how could I ask for that upfront”. I have already received quotes for both, and currently NX CAM-only total machining is looking like a better value based upon cost and modules included, however I want to make sure I am not focused only on dollars.
I would also like opinions on service and support, given ESPRIT is direct and NX is typically through a VAR. We are remotely located so there is no local support for either product. Recommendations on VARs for NX, who you would use again, do they have experts readily available? Posts, the magic that makes everything work, ESPRIT is locked down NX is open. I believe ESPRIT is stronger on the posts and support, but I want to hear from NX users. NX has NC-code simulation which could enable you to debug posts? I’m comfortable editing posts but I don’t want to if I don’t have to.
We are currently a SolidWorks shop with lots of legacy data if we were to move to NX CAM we would also consider moving to NX CAD. I know some of you have made this transition already so I would really appreciate input on the transition. How do you handle your legacy data? Is NX CAD worth the loss of productivity during the switch from SolidWorks.
Current operations: Machining in both 3+2 and 5axis simultaneous, verticals with 4th axis, and lathe with live C axis. Perform on machine probing and measurements prior to CMM. Most work is R&D, low volume high precision, a production run for us is 20 to 100 pcs. So, getting tool path to machine is more important than absolute optimization for production. We are currently using Delcam for SolidWorks which is essentially FeatureCam in SolidWorks. We were disappointed when Delcam was acquired by Autodesk because the writing was on the wall. FeatureCam/DFS has served us well but it lacks functionality and is essentially end of life. This is one of my biggest concerns with ESPRIT, will they go the way of Delcam?
Future operations: Looking at multi axis lathes and swiss style machines, multi axis wire EDM.
Looking forward to the input.
I am a shop owner/user looking for input from actual users of either NX or Esprit that program and run 3+2 and 5 axis simultaneous, verticals with 4th axis, and lathes with live C axis, swiss style with or without B axis. I am not interested in other CAM providers at this time, I would like to focus on the two listed. I believe both options are good options however I would like to know the biggest complaints from users and any options that I should ask about that are not apparent upfront. “You don’t know what you don’t know, so how could I ask for that upfront”. I have already received quotes for both, and currently NX CAM-only total machining is looking like a better value based upon cost and modules included, however I want to make sure I am not focused only on dollars.
I would also like opinions on service and support, given ESPRIT is direct and NX is typically through a VAR. We are remotely located so there is no local support for either product. Recommendations on VARs for NX, who you would use again, do they have experts readily available? Posts, the magic that makes everything work, ESPRIT is locked down NX is open. I believe ESPRIT is stronger on the posts and support, but I want to hear from NX users. NX has NC-code simulation which could enable you to debug posts? I’m comfortable editing posts but I don’t want to if I don’t have to.
We are currently a SolidWorks shop with lots of legacy data if we were to move to NX CAM we would also consider moving to NX CAD. I know some of you have made this transition already so I would really appreciate input on the transition. How do you handle your legacy data? Is NX CAD worth the loss of productivity during the switch from SolidWorks.
Current operations: Machining in both 3+2 and 5axis simultaneous, verticals with 4th axis, and lathe with live C axis. Perform on machine probing and measurements prior to CMM. Most work is R&D, low volume high precision, a production run for us is 20 to 100 pcs. So, getting tool path to machine is more important than absolute optimization for production. We are currently using Delcam for SolidWorks which is essentially FeatureCam in SolidWorks. We were disappointed when Delcam was acquired by Autodesk because the writing was on the wall. FeatureCam/DFS has served us well but it lacks functionality and is essentially end of life. This is one of my biggest concerns with ESPRIT, will they go the way of Delcam?
Future operations: Looking at multi axis lathes and swiss style machines, multi axis wire EDM.
Looking forward to the input.