Collision Avoidance or Detection? (Part 2)

May 16, 2012 By jjaje Leave a Comment

Automatic Avoidance is always better than detection.

In the last Blog Post, there was discussion about collision avoidance and detection, especially as automatic avoidance relates to 5-axis machining.

Today we will look at collision avoidance earlier in the process, during roughing.

Difference between Collision Detection and Avoidance.

Collision detection is when your CNC CAM software calculates a cutterpath, which often only takes the tool shape into account, but not the holder or the physical milling machine, then afterwards recheck it for and collisions. If there are any, then manual editing, or some other changes are required to remove the collisions yet still mill the entire part.

Collision Avoidance is when the collisions can be avoided in the first place, during the calculation of the CNC cutterpaths. When roughing, this may include the Tool and Tool Holder, and possibly the spindle.

Mill With the Shortest Tool Possible

You will that mantra from tool vendors all the time, when speaking about performance. Do as much milling with eh shortest tool as possible, and only use a longer tool where necessary, or utilize the short tool at different cutting angles if possible, to maximize performance.

Look at the picture below, in this case we can actually mill out 90% of the material with a very short cutter. We are using the strategy of roughing with a large cutter to take advantage of good material removal rates, and we will use a cutter with a Length/Diameter ratio of 0.9.

Part with tool and holder

Part with tool and holder

In this case, the holder is quite large, so although we can remove the majority of material with this short and sturdy cutter, there will be areas of additional stock to remove.

When you look at the cutterpath from the +Z direction, you can readily see that the CNC CAM  Software automatically limited the cutterpath, taking the tool and holder into consideration, to avoid all collisions, versus just finding collisions after the fact.

Stock Condition after +Z cutterpath

Stock Condition after +Z cutterpath

How the remaining material is removed can be done in multiple ways. Perhaps a different tool or holder from the +Z direction, or if you have the capability to rotate the part, either by a multi axis machine, or simply unbolting it and flipping it on the side, then you can continue to use the same short, sturdy tool to machine the part from other angles, as shown in the picture below.

Roughing with short tool in alternate directions

Roughing with short tool in alternate directions

Other Necessary CAM software Technology

To accomplish multi axis roughing, your CAM software must include the ability to work on a 3D stock model.

To accomplish automatic collision avoidance during roughing, as we did here, then your CAM software must also include the Dynamic Stock Model. Which is a topic for another blog :)

 

 

Filed Under: 5 axis cnc software, CADCAM, CAM software, CAM tips & tricks, NC machining, NC software

Clouds and CAD CAM Software – Part 3

April 11, 2012 By jjaje Leave a Comment

During Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we first looked:

  • What is the “cloud” and what are some different types of clouds, from Corporate and Personal clouds, to Public and Private clouds.
  • One of the biggest uses of the cloud is for data storage, to have access to files or use it to stream music videos
  • Cloud Computing is where your computer is a terminal and the software and calculations you need happen on the cloud servers, we looked at how today, that may not e the best way to perform CAD and CAM.

This week, we wanted to provide some practical tips for the cloud.

Backups – not only should you backup your data files, but also your software configurations. With CAM Software, you should backup things like software .INI configuration files, Post Processors, Custom Documentation, any Custom Scripts, Tool Libraries, Holder Libraries etc.

You should have at least one backup of important data like this off-site, in the unlikely event something happened to the physical location of the CAM workstations. For simplicity, these backups can simply be done on portable hard drives and stored offsite. For a more automatic option, they can be backed up to a cloud storage solution. If using a Corporate Public Cloud for backing up data (ie Amazon cloud, carbonite…) then you can encrypt the data before or as it backs up with a software encryption program, such as TrueCrypt.

Videos / Pictures – Many CNC shops have installed cameras into their milling machines. Those shops using reliable CNC software, such as WorkNC, and performing Lights Out Machining, can look at the status of their mill, in real time, at any time, from virtually any place. While it may be possible to set this up yourself, utilizing a cloud service for this is often easier.

Transferring CAD Data – Years ago, FTP or File Transfer Protocol, was a common way of transferring files between companies. Now, this can be done via a Cloud service such as DropBox. One tip is to compress the files into a .ZIP or .RAR file before sending the files. When doing the compression, you can apply a password to the file, which would be required to un-compress the files.

Sescoi has had the privileged of being invited to and attending COFES (Congress on the Future of Engineering Software). As one of the few companies there with a strong CAM focus, we are always interested in seeing what the general current trends are, and thoughts about the future of CAD and how it relates to CAM. Looking at the breakout technical sessions possible, it is clear that Cloud Computing is taking a larger role than ever before. We are looking forward to getting other feedback from industry peers on their thoughts on the Cloud and Cloud Computing.

What are some uses for the Cloud that you have come up with?Share them with a comment.

 

Filed Under: CADCAM, CAM software Tagged With: ,

Clouds and CAD CAM Software – Part 2

April 5, 2012 By jjaje 4 Comments

In Part 1, we examined what the “cloud” is, and one of its biggest uses, as cloud storage. This week we will examine Cloud Computing and how it relates to CAD & CAM software. First, let’s look at how things have come full circle.

Ye Olde Mainframe

While I may be dating myself with this statement, but one of the first CAD workstations I used was actually not really a workstation. It was a graphics terminal, hooked up to a mainframe computer. The actual computer was behind some locked doors in some windowless room, while CAD operators accessed the computer via a terminal. In this case, it was a graphics terminal, rather than a text only terminal, so that one could see the CAD graphics.

Calculations were not performed on the terminal, but rather on the mainframe in the other room. Data files were stored there too.

Typical manframe and graphics terminal

Mainframe and Graphics Terminal

Workstations Ahoy!

Eventually, workstations began to replace mainframes and graphics terminals. Dedicated Unix workstations could perform CAD CAM calculations faster, with greatly enhanced graphics capabilities, all for a lower overall cost. Graphics calculations as well as the necessary CAD and CAM calculations were all done locally, on the workstation’s CPU. Files may have been stored locally or on a file server elsewhere.

Eventually Windows PC based workstations became powerful enough in both CPU calculations and graphics capability to replace most Unix workstations in the CAD CAM fields.

Unix and PC based workstations

Unix and Windows PC based workstations

Cloud Computing

So then, cloud computing is kind of going back to the graphics terminal, centralized calculation model of the mainframe example above. Calculations are done on the computers in the cloud, files are stored in the cloud. Your computer acts as a graphics terminal to view and use the data. Often, your internet browser is used as the interface for your program running in the cloud.

For many applications, this model may work fine, but how well does it work for CAD and CAM today? To answer that question, let’s look to a popular cloud based graphics application, Google Earth. This is a wonderful product that is very fun to use. For a product like this, cloud usage for data makes perfect sense, as it would take too much storage space, approximately 70 terabytes,  to store all of the images for the whole planet that Google stores.

However, if you’ve used Google Earth, you’ve probably seen images like the one below: This is where the terminal, your computer, is waiting on data from the cloud, Google, before showing you the final image.

Blurry Google Earth waiting for more data

Blurry Google Earth waiting for more data

Imagine this happening with your large CAD part all the time. Waiting for the image to get clear. Now you understand why, for the time being at least, advanced CAD CAM products that are CPU and graphically intensive would not yet utilize cloud computing.

Even a medium sized (36 inches) but fairly complex mold like the one below can require over 3 gigabytes of data when you consider stock model conditions, dozens of cutterpaths, actual B-Rep data, tessellated data for display purposes, etc. Even with a very fast internet connection, there would be considerable delay if all of the computing and data information came from the cloud.

Medium sized mold

Medium sized mold

 

Today, it would be difficult to perform complex CAD and CAM on large parts via cloud computing. This is not to say that in the future, things won’t be different. The one thing we can rely on is change! What are some current uses of CAD CAM and the Cloud that you can think of? DO you see Cloud Computing becoming important in CAD CAM? Leave a comment below.

 

 

Filed Under: CADCAM, CAM software, CAM tips & tricks, Other productivity software

Clouds and CAD CAM software – Part 1

March 28, 2012 By jjaje Leave a Comment

Everyone is talking about the Cloud

If you are reading this blog entry on a desktop computer, notebook, netbook, smart phone, tablet or other form of internet reader, chances are you have not only heard about the “cloud” but used it in one way or another. Many applications for smart phones and tablets store their data in a cloud somewhere. When you download a song that you purchased, you are likely downloading it from a data cloud on the internet.

There are a few uses of the cloud, and we are going to talk about two of them here. Cloud storage and Cloud computing, but first let’s look at some different types of clouds.

Cloud

Cloud Data

Types of Clouds

Just as there are different types of meteorological clouds, there are several different types of data clouds. Corporate Clouds may be data centers built and maintained by one corporation that are only allowed access by people in that same corporation. Personal Clouds may be small clouds set up by yourself only for yourself. Both of those are often referred to as Private Clouds, or clouds designed and maintained for corporate or private use. Public clouds may be companies that provide cloud storage as a service, to almost anyone on the internet. Amazon’s cloud or Apple’s cloud would fit this category.

Cloud Storage

Certainly one of the most common and largest uses of the cloud is for storage. Saving your music, videos, pictures, data or other files onto some storage space somewhere, usually through the internet, other than on the actual computing device (computer, smart phone, tablet, etc)

Apple introduced the iCloud, Amazon has their Cloud Drive, even computer and tablet manufacturers are getting in on the action, such as the ASUS online cloud backup.

Services like these allow you a location, in the cloud, to store files. In many instances, you can access your data directly from the cloud, for example, streaming your music directly from your account in the cloud.

Access and costs to the various cloud storage options are different for every company. Perhaps a small amount of data is free, where one pays a subscription for more data. In other instances, basic cloud storage is included with the purchase of a hardware product.

Some services use the cloud as a way of performing file transfers between different parties, such as Dropbox. Many people use this as the 21st century equivalent of  FTP file transfers of the past.

Cloud data

Multiple Devices & CLoud

Personal Cloud

With today’s technology, you can even make your own cloud. Western Digital’s MyBook Live allows you to buy a device that goes on your personal network, and allows you access to it from anywhere that you have an internet connection, including the ability to stream music, or connect to this personal cloud from smart phones and tablets.

Personal Cloud

Personal Cloud may look this Simple

Cloud Backups

A subset of cloud data storage are cloud backups. Products and services such as Barracuda provide local backups that can also be mirrored onto cloud storage. On a more personal level, products like Carbonite can provide automated backup of your home or small business computer hard disks to the cloud.

Having backups of data in a separate location from your home or office is always a good idea in the event of catastrophic events to your computers (such as fire).

When looking at a cloud storage service you should consider:

  • Will you need to access the data files from different types of devices and operating systems? From Windows computers, Apple computers, smart phones, tablets or even alternative operating systems (Linux)
  • How secure is your data? What security do the cloud services use to keep your data secure and private?
  • Has the Cloud storage had significant downtime? Do they have alternate servers and backups of their own to keep maximize uptime?
  • Do you want to stream music over the cloud? While a great feature, streaming your own music vs listening to it locally will count against any data caps your internet service may have.
  • What are the yearly fees, if any? What extras do the fee based cloud servers provide you that the free versions do not?
  • If performing cloud backups, how easy is it to restore the data should you ever need to?

We have only touched the surface of this topic. In part 2 we will discuss the use of the Cloud in CAD CAM environments.

Do you use a cloud service? What types of devices do you use to access your files on the cloud? Do you use a free cloud or a cloud with a payment or subscription? How did you pick the cloud service you use? Feel free to leave a comment on part 1 of Clouds and CAD CAM software and find out how you use the cloud.

Filed Under: CADCAM, Marketing Tagged With: , ,

Increasing your CNC Skillset

March 14, 2012 By jjaje 1 Comment

In the previous blog entry, a guest blogger spoke about overcoming the manufacturing skills gap. One link from Deloitte in particular spoke of the manufacturing jobs available, and the shortage of skilled people for those jobs.

At the macro level, there are many programs and schools available for training and providing skills for workers.

However, at the Micro Level, there are always ways and things an individual worker can do to increase his skill set and become more valuable to the skilled work force. Below are some possible options.

Use the Math

As a machinist, get the Machinist’s handbook and study it. Learn how to calculate common machining equations such as SFPM, surface feet per minute. Learn what chip thinning is, and learn how to apply it to your feedrate calculations.

Try New Technologies

Tooling companies are always introducing new cutting tool shapes, grades and coatings. Ideally, test them out so you can make your employer more competitive. Even if that is not possible, read up on the latest cutting tool technologies and trends, stay familiar with new products, so that you will be perceived as more of an expert by peers and guests.

Try new methods to mill your parts.  Experiment with different algorithms or clean out routines, figure out when one method works better than another solution. This knowledge will always be useful to employers and future employers.

Stay Informed – be recognized

Many people use social media to stay informed in the machining community. Forums are a good place to build community. If you are able to answer questions, or provide solid advice to others in a forum, then in short time you will be considered knowledgeable and an expert in your field.

Use the same social media to stay connected to advanced technologies out there. Things like LinkedIn or Facebook can keep you in the loop of new releases, new products and other news from suppliers.

Read and Challenge Yourself

Being well read on a subject is always beneficial to your career. When doing a new part, that’s similar to a previous part, challenge yourself to do it just a little bit better. Continuous improvement is not only good for the bottom line, but good stimulation for the brain.

That’s what we are looking for

Sescoi is actually hiring, a regional account manager in Michigan. We are looking for someone that has been able to stay current on trends in tooling and software. Someone who is eager to try new technologies. Someone not afraid to challenge themselves. Obviously, we also place high value on people with WorkNC experience, other CAM software experience, as well as sales experience. If you think this could be you, and you meet the requirements listed in the link, then by all means apply at the link above.

 

 

Filed Under: CADCAM, Marketing

How to Overcome the Manufacturing Skills Gap

March 8, 2012 By jjaje 1 Comment

Today we have a guest blogger. Derek Singleton is an ERP Analyst and writes for the Software Advice Blog.

How to Overcome the Manufacturing Skills Gap by Derek Singleton

These days, the manufacturing industry is finding itself in the media spotlight. And the coverage as of late has been fairly positive. Manufacturing is showing signs of growth and there have been several stories of manufacturers re-shoring their production from abroad.

Amidst the positive news, there’s been a negative point: manufacturers are leaving jobs open because they can’t find people with the right talent. According to a recent Deloitte report, as many as 600,000 jobs remain unfilled because of a skills gap.

A significant amount of media attention on the skills gap has focused on what is driving this deficit. In my opinion, the much more important thing to focus on is how we can overcome the skills deficit. I think we can get over it in three ways:

  1. Expand educational partnerships with industry;
  2. Reintroduce corporate in-house training programs; and,
  3. Get young people interested in manufacturing again.

The first two strategies will help solve the workforce needs of today while the latter will help solve those of tomorrow.

Expanding Educational Partnerships with Industry

One of the best ways to deal with the manufacturing skills gap is to expand partnerships with educational institutions such as technical colleges. These partnerships offer an existing network that is ready and able to equip people with the skills they need to fill an open job.

One partnership that’s done a great job helping individuals revamp their skills set is Tooling U. Tooling U is an online training program that provides curricula on everything from CNC machine programming to welding–two skills that happen to be amongst the highest in demand. They partner with industry experts, manufacturing firms, and education institutions.

Since being founded, Tooling U has helped more than 100,000 people adapt to the new skills of manufacturing. These partnerships should be expanded because they’re already a proven model of training.

Reintroduce Corporate In-House Training Programs

Beyond expanding educational partnerships, manufacturers should focus on creating their own in-house training programs. Apprenticeship and in-house training can help manufacturers get talented people up to speed quickly.

Unfortunately, the last few decades have seen a steady decline in apprenticeship and in-house training programs–mostly due to budget constraints. However, a recent study by our neighbors across the pond suggests that manufacturers should re-invest in these programs.

In a UK study, roughly 80 percent of surveyed UK manufacturers said that their apprenticeship program makes them more productive. A full 83 percent said it would help them fill their future work needs. This suggests that manufacturers here don’t necessarily need people with the exact skills they’re looking for, they just need talented individuals that are ready to learn.

Get Young People Interested in Manufacturing Again

Of course, overcoming the skills gap in the near-term doesn’t do much if the next generation is disinterested in pursuing manufacturing. In order for the youth to consider a manufacturing career, they need to be exposed to it in a way that’s fun and educational.

I recently came across a program called STEM Goes to Work that I think does a great job of this. STEM Goes to Work is a program that coordinates classroom lessons with tours of a manufacturing facility. The tours give students the opportunity to see their various manufacturing career opportunities and learn about what it takes to land one of those jobs.

To add an element of fun, the students are often given a challenge that is specific to the facility they’re visiting. For instance, when students toured a gear manufacturing facility, they had to figure out how to make functional gears out of Styrofoam.

Sure these programs don’t teach manufacturing-specific skills explicitly. But they help kids learn to think critically, which is crucial for picking up any skill later in life–whether it be in manufacturing or another industry.

About the author: Derek Singleton covers the manufacturing industry for Software Advice. You can visit his website here. If you would like to leave him a comment on the article, visit the original article at: Three Ways to Overcome the Manufacturing Skills Gap.

Filed Under: Other productivity software, Politics

CAD viewers – When CAD is too much

March 6, 2012 By jjaje Leave a Comment

CAD software is a multi-billion dollar industry in the global economy. CAD software packages range in price from very low to very high. Functions available in the CAD packages also varies greatly. However, there is a subset of people that need some capabilities to view a CAD model, yet may not need to create or edit that model. In other words, they need to view the CAD model.

CAD viewers – look but don’t touch

There exist several CAD viewers in the market place, each with their own target market that they serve. For example, some viewers only work on 2D drawings, other viewers may be better suited for architectural work. If one is thinking of a viewer that complements both CAD and CAM software, then a viewer needs to incorporate some functionality that could be useful in a manufacturing environment.

Some functions which may be useful in a viewer in a manufacturing environment include:

  • Ability to load 3D CAD data, including assemblies
  • Ability to do advanced measurements, both linear and radial.
  • Easy curvature and draft angle analysis.
  • Simple part comparisons, to see engineering changes in revised parts.
  • Ability to make notes for collaboration with others.

CAD Viewer for Enterprise Environment

Basically, a CAD viewer allows one to load in a supported CAD file, and look at or “view” the design data. Some viewers allow simple measurements, others may allow for the sharing and collaboration of notes. Viewers can make a lot of sense in an enterprise environment by:

  • Low cost alternative to providing a full CAD system to engineers and managers, that only need to view design files.
  • Viewers with analysis functions are useful for the quoting and estimating staff.
  • Viewers can be used by documentation departments for creation of manuals.
  • Viewers can be useful to maintenance personnel when looking for the right 3D part.
  • Viewers with collaboration capabilities can be used in communication with customers and contractors.

There are other uses for CAD viewers also. Enough uses in fact that there is a viable market for just CAD viewing software.

CAD Viewers Input

Some CAD viewers are CAD system specific, meaning they can only read in one type of file. Some CAD viewers allow for the input of multiple file types. As a tool for engineers, estimators and others, having the ability to read in multiple file formats becomes a useful tool. Obviously in a manufacturing environment, you would want to read in files from popular CAD systems used in manufacturing.

WorkXPlore-3D CAD viewer

Seeing the importance in viewers for managers, estimators, engineers, maintenance and others, in both a CAD/CAM environment as well as a PDM and ERP environement, Sescoi had released a 3D CAD viewer in 2008. This CAD viewer is named WorkXPlore-3D. For the website, visit WorkXPlore-3D.

If you are interested in trying an evaluation of the product, you can download an evaluation version here Evaluate WorkXPlore-3D.

For some online video tutorials click Online Tutorials of WorkXPlore-3D.

Do you have need of CAD viewing functions? What functions would you like to see in a CAD viewer? Leave feedback in the comments area.

Filed Under: Other productivity software

Extremely Automated CAM – Dental edition

February 16, 2012 By jjaje Leave a Comment

Automating CAM Software

Through the use of sequences, templates and other time saving devices, it can often be possible to automate much of the manual input and programming of CAM systems.

For example, one might make a template for roughing hard steels, larger than 24 inches, and another for hard steel between 12 and 24 inches, and a third for parts smaller than 12 inches. Similarly, they could have templates (we call them sequences) for other materials, such as Titanium or Zinc, or for other operations, such as finishing or semi-finishing.

Similarly, this approach can be used to automate processes in specialized fields, like Dental.

Dental CAM Milling

First, let us say right off the bat, this works best with open systems rather than closed systems. Not sure what the difference is between an open or closed Dental milling system? We made a small document/presentation outlining some of the differences between an Open Dental CAM Milling system, a Closed Dental CAM Milling system and those in between.

This document can be found at the link here.

Next, you can virtually completely automate the CAM milling process for similar parts, like dental parts, via pre-planned sequences. Simply select a material, select a machine, load parts to mill, locate parts, add support structures and calculate the CAM cutterpaths. If only all CAM programming were that easy.

Why are we bringing this up here you ask? One, all programmers could benefit from some additional automation. Two, Sescoi not only has a WorkNC product for general machining, but also a product specific to dental machining, WorkNC Dental.

In dental machining, you can mill relatively soft materials like Zirconia or Wax, to very hard metals like Chromium Cobalt and Titanium. Parts are usually very small, and often several parts are nested into one block of material.Parts being machined are often scan data, with thousands of points and facets.

In dental machining, finish is important in that you can not have sharp corners and burrs that could cut into the soft tissues of the mouth. Also, of critical importance is what is referred to as the margin. The margin is where the dental prostheses mates with the existing tooth material. This margin must allow for a perfect match else bacteria will get inside and cause decay. Thus the machining must also be accurate, as well as smooth.

The dental industry is often looking for skilled programmers with machining experience. If that’s you, check it out.

Below are some pictures of parts. Leave comments on your automation stories, or if you have dental CAM experience.

Filed Under: 5 axis cnc software

Get Connected – Stay Connected

February 8, 2012 By jjaje Leave a Comment

Information Age / Digital Age

The present day has been called many things, two come to mind immediately, The Information Age and The Digital Age. Through search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo, AOL and others you can figuratively get information overload of whatever you search for.

The Information Age refers to the plethora of information available at your fingertips, literally, by using the fingertips to enter some key words into a search engine. Where people may have purchased reference manuals to repair things in the past, one can now find the information online. Where one would see just a few reviews when investigating the purchase of a product, now one can find thousands of reviews.

The Digital Age refers to the plethora of items available via digital means. Many electronics stores have eliminated or drastically reduced their music sales department, since so many people simply download songs they like online. Real Time Entertainment, with products like Netflix, is now the largest source of internet traffic, over file sharing, browsing and social media.

Social Media

On top of this, social media websites have completely changed how people communicate, share information or simply “keep up” with others. If all the people on Facebook were a country, it would be the third largest country based on population.

Get Connected

About this time, you may be wondering what all of this has to do with CAD CAM software. Get connected! There, simple isn’t it.

Recently we held seminars for WorkNC Version 21. During these seminars, we did an informal poll of how much people are connected to the software they use day in and day out. How they get information on training, tips or upcoming shows where they might be able to attend and ask a question.

As it turns out, based on our informal poll, CAM operators are not that connected. They aren’t connected via some social media, and as such, they miss out on important information. We like to point out, if you only visit a tech session or user group once a year, you are too far outside of the loop. It’s worse for those that don’t even do that.

Following are some links and ways you can stay connected to Sescoi and WorkNC. You don’t have to follow them all, but you will find it beneficial to follow a few…

If you use a software product as a large part of your work and career, definitely get connected in some way, so you can get the most out of it.

Filed Under: CAM tips & tricks Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Software Maintenance – reasons to stay current

January 18, 2012 By jjaje 2 Comments

Today we are having some fun with our blog. We are actually going to have two firsts in it.One is commenting on the topic of software maintenance, and the other is to actually reference one of our competitors. The topic of software maintenance often bring up a lot of discussion on various forums, and we welcome your comments also.

What is CAD CAM Software Maintenance & Subscriptions?

Software maintenance is simply paying a set fee, yearly, to receive updates, upgrades and usually technical support for the software product. Software subscriptions, on the other hand, are a form of renting the software product for a set period of time, and then the product “times out” and is no longer available for use, without re-renting the product.

If one does not pay their maintenance, they are stuck with the version of software they had when maintenance ceased, but can still us that version. If one does not pay a subscription, the software stops working after a period of time.

Three Reasons to Maintain your CAD CAM System (from MasterCAM)

MasterCAM software may be a competitor to WorkNC, however, a previous article, published in Moldmaking Technology magazine and on their web page in November of 2010, was written by Steve Bertrand from CNC Software. This article, linked here Three Reasons to Maintain your CAD/CAM System makes some good points. Rather than quote the whole article, I will list his three main points below:

  • Take Advantage of the latest technology – This is absolutely true, as new version of software introduce new features, often geared at increasing productivity and efficiency.
  • Make budget planning smoother – because software maintenance is a known yearly cost, it can be budgeted easier than budgeting for purchased upgrades
  • Help improve the software – People on maintenance often provide the best feedback on new features and functions they would like to see in the software.

To Steve’s listed reasons I would like to add a few of my own.

Support – WorkNC users on maintenance in the U.S. receive phone and digital technical support. We strive to to have live persons available during regular business hours instead of  utilizing voice mail purgatory. Email, file uploads and other digital forms of technical support are also available.

We have found this is the quickest way for customers to get an answer to something, and continue their job. Need a quick configuration change, or a modification to a post processor, it is a simple process.

Increased Productivity – When comparing current versions of CAM software to past versions, users can be more productive now than ever before. New functions like WorkNC’s Multi-Threading and Parallel Processing have cut calculation times dramatically.

New functions can increase productivity, for example, Feature Recognition cut the time to drill holes for some people from an hour or more to two minutes. Other functions, like rib machining or electrode machining can reduce programming time by 90% or more from traditional methods.

Increased Safety – As processing power in computers increases, CAM software developers are able to do more advanced calculations. WorkNC has had tool holder collision checking for a long time now, providing additional safety from early CAM systems. Now, it’s not just collision checking, but automatic collision avoidance with the tool holder and spindle that allows for confident lights out machining.

Remaining on maintenance allows you to receive the latest software versions, to receive the increased efficiency and the increased safety from newer versions.

What are your feelings on Software Maintenance? Is your preference for paid upgrades, yearly maintenance or yearly subscriptions? Leave your comments below.

 

Filed Under: CAM software, NC software
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