What CAD program do you use?

[Engineer]

At my old job we just did everything in MC, but my new job uses solidworks to model and then MC to generate NC code. I was wondering what is the more popular method.

[gcode]

I use SolidWorks to build the model, then assign

a mastercam WCS to the model with a SW Coordinate

system. Then I export it as a parasolid with the defined WCS.

When I import the parasolid into Mastercam it is already aligned in Mastercam space the way I want it.

[cadcam]

MC here and soon to include Solid works for fun.

[Teh Bear without Brains kinda idiot]

Jay ! LOL

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include Solid works for fun

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It depends of what you are doing and compexity .

I mostly always work on Mastercam but if I would make assemblings , a lot of complex models I would prefer some other more mighty tool and I like Solidworks from all the bunch

[Lee.]

I use MC for all my creation. I use Auto-Cad only to print Customers drawings.

[HevyMetl]

I do all of my mold, electrode, and part design work in PRO/E or one of its modules. I create a wcs in pro and export iges into MC based off of that wcs.

 

I have used pro/manufacturing in a limited way. I have found that when doing high speed machining on hardened cavities the tool paths seem to flow around the part in a smoother manner. It may just be my limited knowledge of how manipulate MC in surfaceing ops.

[cqualls]

Solidworks and Mastercam here.

[Greg Williams]

It used to be Solidworks and Mastercam but a few months back I moved areas and now it's Ug for modelling and all new parts in UG cam

 

Such is life!

[Rekd™]

CAD = PencilCAD

 

CAM = FingerCAM

 

[gcode]

My current employeer has decided to migrate from Mastercam to Catia V5. I'm not sure how I feel about that yet. I'm #3 on the CATIA school list, so I'll still be using MC for the foreseeable future.

My intial browsing through CATIA made me feel awful stupid

It took me all day to build a retangular block,

put a pocket in it and toolpath it.

I still havn't figured out how to post it.

 

gcode teh CATIA challenged

[DavidB]

Solid Edge here and now they have gone for Pro E.

All CAM is done with MC.

 

[J Coulston]

Solidworks and Mastercam. Waiting for the new goodies in SW2005 and MCX.

[HevyMetl]

DavidB

 

I have worked with pro for 6 years now (since v18.0) I would be glad to help if you have any questions just drop me a e-mail.

 

The first thing I had to do was forget all MasterCam. It IS a whole different mindset. Contrary to what salespeople say there is nothing quick and easy about it until you understand how parametric relations work. That almost sounds dirty.

[kwolf]

HevyMetl,

 

Are you using WildFire?

If so, how faster can you do your job with it than older versions?

 

Kevin

[HevyMetl]

I like wildfire better. With that said It took awhile to unlearn the menu picks I had spent the last two years memorizing. I spent about a week making mapkeys and menu buttons. For the average user like me making cavity blocks and basic assemblies I don't believe it makes you any faster. Its like anything you become good with what you are given to use in this trade.

 

If you get into advance surfaceing modules like our designers I would say from speaking with them they are 30% more effective.

[Brent Wilkerson]

AutoCAD/MDT switchin' to SolidWorks. About 90% AutoCAD now and 10% SW ... MasterCAM for CAM of course

[cadist]

Modelling 60% in UGnx 40% in mc. and machining in 100% in mc9

[jeff]

"I use MC for all my creation. I use Auto-Cad only to print Customers drawings."

 

+1

[kwolf]

Thanks HevyMetl for the response.

And ... We use SolidWorks/Rhino/PowerSHAPE here.

[Wally]

Solidworks here for drawing, MC for machining, and Striker (inside AutoCad) to program the punches and lasers. We do machining and sheetmetal

[Scott Bond]

MC

[Henk]

Modeling UG machining MCAM

Hey Budgie do you like UG-cam?

[Jammer™]

Solidworks for all design. Mastercam for all toolpaths. Autocad for customer drawings.

[beav700]

Ug NX2 for modeling and MC and UG for Cam.

[IZN]

I use MC for modeling and toolpaths at work. At my shop at home I use Alibre Design for modeling and Visual Mill for toolpaths.