Teaching MasterCAM

[Michael Reynolds]

Hi All!

Given that 99.9% of mcam students DO NOT have access to mastercam at home, how do you deal with teaching it? Does anyone give their students the demo version to do "homework" on? It seems to me that most students (mine anyways) could not afford to buy the 'apprentice" version, so giving them the demo would make sense. But how would that work into the liscensing agreement?

This is a problem I have to deal with every day.

Thanks in advance for your input!

Mike R.

[cadcam]

I would say talk with CNC you may be able to charge a small fee for the use of the demo disk.

[Michael Reynolds]

I'll do that right now, Jay! It really stands to reason. Students are generally NOT going to learn the software simply by spending seat time in the class. They really need to spend AT LEAST 3 hours doing homework for every 1 hour they spend in class, to learn the stuff.

Thanks for your input, Jay!!

Mike R.

[gcode]

Won't the demo version listed here do everthing but generate G-code??

http://www.emastercam.com/resources/homekit.html

[ 10-01-2001: Message edited by: gcode ]

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

What I would like to see is Mastercam allow the demo software to save, but in a format that is not readable by Mastercam non Demo Versions so that the students can do homework and bring it in to class and I can check it out. SmurfSCAM allows this and id similar in functionality (not posting, etc...)

JM2C

[Chips Ahoy]

The demo version also creates g-code. You can't save anything though. It gives you the basic posts that come with MC. I have it loaded on my p/c at home to "play" with and it works fine. It even has solids. I don't have solids at work so it's a change. You can't do some things though. E.g. Lettering.

But what do you want for free!!

[Michael Reynolds]

Are you guys saying that we can give our students each a copy of demo to have at home? That would solve my problem.

Mike R.

[cadcam]

Did you call cnc the main office and ask them.

I would call them right now if i was you.

1-800-228-2877

or your dealer.

[chad fisher]

I had heard a while back ago that mastercam

was offering a floating license. How you would control the time of use i would not know.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Mike,

Being that Mastercam is THE LEADER HANDS DOWN in the educatinal market, I would be willing to bet that they would at least consider talking about giving it away to students. Of course more than likely YOU would need to support it. You should contact, ummmm, Mike or Iven at Mastercam Educational because more than likely it would be their call, but who knows. Contact 'em.

JM2C

[Michael Reynolds]

Thanks all, I'll call Mike.

Mike R.

[Chips Ahoy]

When I took the MC course. The demo version was given to me and all the others taking the class for free. I don't think they will have a problem with giving the cd to whomever. It will only get their name out to more people. Advertisement is a good thing...

[Michael Reynolds]

Problem solved. Thanks to all of you for your input, and thanks to Mike F.

Mike R.

[Chips Ahoy]

What did you end up doing? I would like to read how this went?????

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Don't even think about leaving us insuspense like that.

So, what's up Mike?

[Michael Reynolds]

Sorry 'bout that! (I replied to all who emailed me about this question).

Anyway, CNC in Wash said that most instructors do the demo thing. Solves a big problem for me!

Mike R.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Thanks Mike. I fiured as much, I just wanted to know for sure.

[Rick Lawler]

Mike,

I give demo disks to all the students in my night classes, they can bring in files and work on them, they just can't save them. The CD has all the toys; multi surface machining, solids, plus lathe and wire. If Mastercam can't help you let me know.

Rick