Design Software

[chowquoe^]

We are currently looking to get rid of UG. I was wondering what all of you are using for your primary design software?

 

Thanks in advance.

[cobra95kev]

Solidworks 2008 here at SWPMFG.

 

Kevin C.

[Watcher]

In your shoes, modeling human "parts", surgical instruments and implants, I would look at something user-friendly and powerful for complex surfacing, as Rhinoceros. I´ve seen very convincing models modeled by Rhino.

 

JM2C

[gcode]

SolidWorks

[Josh T™]

It really depends on what your industry application is to decide on a design software. At Timken on the automotive side we use ProEngineer Wildfire 3.0 - ProE is really good for tool design (progressive, complex die assemblies, etc.) Catia does the best job at the surface creation but you'll pay big for it. If you're looking for a great general design package you really can't beat Solidworks, they do a pretty good job at everything. I feel your pain with UG, we are in the process of switching and I'm here to tell you I hate it.

 

HTH

[Watcher]

We use use PRO/E here for both design and manufacturing, and in fact, it is a great CAD tool. But it´s very complex to be used, I mean, the learning curve it is not short, at all. I wonder if is a good tool for nurbs surfaces, human surgical implants and such. What is your opinion Joshua?

[J Coulston]

SolidWorks 2008

[neil qwerty]

Wow! I'm suprised you're thinking about getting rid of UG. What is it that you don't like about it? We use it for tooling design and we love it.

[malibu]

I am using inventor rigth now but still missing solidworks.

go solidworks and you will be happy.

catia is the high end of solidworks(same company)

you will never be wrong with dassault systemes.

 

 

[Watcher]

Hi Chris!

 

A further remark: I´m surprised too, as Neil does. As far as I know UG is a great piece of CAD software.

[MACHINEMASTERG]

solidworks 2008

[mold100]

solidworks, oh wait let me say a little louder SOLIDWORKS office 2008 sp1

[chowquoe^]

Neil, watcher.

 

We currently have about 17 seats of UG, we are looking to get that number down as the maint. fees are a tad salty. We want to find something that more "Engineers" will have less trouble adapting to. Say MCAM and Solidworks for example. We will still keep/use a few seats as that is the preferred platform for our customers. We do not do much design on product but rather fixturing and CAM in my department, so UG is a bit of overkill, if you know what I mean. Thanks for all the responses so far, would be great to hear more from all.

[LaszloK]

Why not keep it all in MC. We design all of our tooling (molds, fixtures, assemblies) using MC solids. Unless you are planning on complex lofted stuff MC will do just fine. Much better than importing solids for NC operations,

[cqualls]

Solidworks.

[Watcher]

Hi Chris!

 

I know exactly what you mean. Moving to another high-end system will be costly as well, since the maintence fees for such systems are in the same level. As a PRO/E admin here, I know how expensive it is. If UG it´s not a must for you, then I agree that you should get a rid of it. Soldiworks maintenance is not cheap as well, so that I would try something "not so famous" as Solidworks, at least for a kick-off. Of course you don´t need to buy a new system to test it, so call a Rhino reseller and ask him to model some of your parts. I´m mentioning Rhino because it´s is a very powerful software for complex surfacing. But there are others. But if you need a CAD system for advanced assembly, assembly detailing and shop-floor documentation, then forget Rhino. In the past (when I worked with it), Solidworks used to be handicapped concerning surface modeling, so that I would test it carefully before made a decision. But honestly I could not say if today it is a bad/good surface modeler.

 

JM2C

[Lee.]

Mastercam X2, isn't everyone?

 

Cheers.

[Guest]

quote:

---

Mastercam X2, isn't everyone?

---

Nope

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

Solidworks.

[chowquoe^]

Thanks for the response guys. I will start with an eval. of Solidworks 2008 SP1. If I hit a wall I know that I can always turn to you all for some help.

 

Thanks

Chris

[mold100]

When you get it do the tutorials from the beginning, by far the easiest to learn software I have ever taught myself.

[Thee Rickster ™]

SolidWorks, but I hear MC is great too.

 

Right JJ?

[kujo763]

how is mc solids at extracting electrodes? would it be worth getting a seat or two? all of our design work is done in pro/e. electrode extraction is the biggest time consumer.

[Guest]

If you have a seat of MCAM, get a DEMO of MoldPlus with electrode.

 

It makes this process extremely quick and straight forward.

 

Your local MCAM reseller should be able to get you set up with it

[Charlie Pierson]

if you want no-hassle solids CAD for quick creation of fixturing etc, I would reccomend KeyCreator (formerly CadKey).

Then import/export thru SAT or Parasolids.

 

cp