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

CAM Software and Social Media

October 25, 2011 By jjaje Leave a Comment

What’s in a Number – Part 2

This post is a sequel to last week’s post What’s in a Number? – While I had no doubt that we would eventually do a follow up blog entry, I did not believe it would happen so soon.

No sooner did we mention the use of social media and the internet for getting messages out, then we had a prime example from a U.S. based CNC forum. This link here will take you to a popular forum about CNC technology, including CAD and CAM software. In this particular post, a person located in the U.K. shares his initial reaction to the release of V21 of WorkNC.

This new version includes hyperthreading and the ability to perform parallel processing. In some tests, calculations have been more than 70% faster than in previous versions, utilizing this technology. Word spreads fast, which can also highlight some of the disadvantages of instant news and messaging.

CAM Software Releases are Regional

Just as new gadgets may be released in some regions, with others to follow, software also follows a regional plan. Each Sescoi subsidiary has many beta testers providing feedback on new versions and functions, and sometimes what is very important in one region, may be less important in another. Having the flexibility to adjust schedules, for regional differences in functionality and settings, allows better customer support in the long run. So while one region has done a limited release, other regions may be waiting on a specific development change or tweak before releasing.

Social Media Redux

CAM and CNC related forums are a good way to get and share information. They are also a good way to “virtually” meet people of similar vocation and interests. Being “plugged in” can benefit a person’s professional career. Having your peers recognize one as a leader or expert in their field can be of benefit also.

Some places to find WorkNC on the internet are included in this blog, but are also found on many of our web pages.

Facebook page for WorkNC

Tip of the Week Downloads

Follow us on Twitter

Check out our page on YouTube

Find us on LinkedIn

Subscribe to this Blog

We enjoy connecting with others in these various forms, feel free to connect with us in our various locations.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: CAM software, Marketing Tagged With: , ,

What’s in a Number?

October 19, 2011 By jjaje Leave a Comment

Over 10,000 “likes” on Facebook

The main WorkNC page on Facebook has hit a recent milestone, with the “likes” making it into the 5 digits, currently standing at over 11,500. This is significant because the amount of CAM software installations is dwarfed by the number of CAD software installations. It is because of this that several CAD packages do no CAM at all, but rather work with partner solution products. We have discussed before whether one product, from one company, of integrated CAD/CAM is better then using the best of each, yet separate and not fully integrated. Certainly, a higher percentage of developer resources can be focused on CAM development in a CAM only package, versus an integrated solution.

However, what I wanted to discuss was the relative merits of internet usage and machining shops. Many shops take a different approach to internet access and the CAM operators. In some places, there is no email or internet access. Other shops may have email, but no internet access. Others may use a shared email for a department. Few allow internet access for CAM operators.

Internet Access for CAM Support

There are several reasons for allowing internet and email access, often support related, and many are listed below:

  • Users can email questions, often with screen shots of their computer, to the support departments of CAD or CAM companies for assistance.
  • Users may be able to receive a Tip of the Week for their software product via email.
  • Users can receive regular newsletters of upcoming events or training schedules via email.
  • If the CAD file is small enough, it can be emailed to support departments for assistance.
  • Larger files (too large for email) can be sent, using the internet and FTP or some other protocol,for technical support
  • Users can use the internet to look up information on tools and materials, for information to help them machine better.

Social Media and CAM Software

However there are other reasons one may want to grant a certain amount of Internet and Email access. By now, you have to be living in a cave to have not heard of Social Media. Companies like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn are some prominent names, but also there are several WEB Forums dedicated to CAM or Machining.

What web pages like this may do is allow your company to have a little more presence on the web. Connecting with customers via social media can help you stay in their mind when they need the services you provide. Regular Facebook users know one benefit of Facebook is the ability to quickly keep up with the activity of your “friends” without having to actually spend the time of speaking directly with them. Social Media can help your customers keep track of you and your business, quickly and efficiently.

Some examples you may use Social Media for in your business:

  • Use Twitter or other social networking to let your customers know when you have some machine capacity available. Perhaps you can offer it at a discount, versus going completely unused, to make a win-win for both companies.
  • With customer permission, post videos or pictures of some of the better parts. If you have a specialty of cutting hard metals, show a video of it working. If you can mill really complicated 5-Axis parts, post a video.
  • Allow experienced users on CAM forums. Not only will they pick up a trick or two, their expertise, if helping others, will allow them, and in return your company, to be seen as experts in that particular topic.

What you are effectively doing is turning some of your employees, CAM programmers, machine operators, etc into small marketing departments for your company. Besides, with the rise of Smart Phones, employees could be on the internet regardless of your IT policy.

Does your company allow you Internet or Email access? Would you help your employer out with via social networking if given the opportunity? Do you frequent and contribute to any CAM or machining forums? Let us know in the comments.

Filed Under: CADCAM, CAM software, CAM tips & tricks, Marketing

Reshore Now

June 9, 2011 By jjaje 1 Comment

Todays entry is more of an announcement than opinion or information about CAM software.

Reshoring is kind of the opposite of offshoring. It is bringing work back to the United States that was sent out of the country previously. It can also include keeping work here that otherwise one might outsource. Reshoring requires looking at the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of your manufacturing. Some other justifications to reshore might include:

  • Reduce pipeline and surge inventory impacts on JIT operations
  • Improve the quality and consistency of inputs
  • Enhance Innovation (by being near the manufacturing)
  • Reduce IP and regulatory compliance risk

The Reshoring Initiative was founded by Harry Moser, the former President (22 years) of Agie Charmilles. Harry was also inducted into the 2010 Industry Week hall of fame, and has spoken beside other manufacturing luminaries such as Steve Jobs, Jack Welch and Lee Iacocca. Recently at the Amerimold show, one particular financial analyst speaker made the comment that of all the states that are having a financial crisis, if they had the same manufacturing base today that they had just ten years ago, those states would not have a financial crisis, showing just how important reshoring is.

Part of Reshoring is being able to be as productive as possible, reducing the TCO. To that end, Sescoi USA is hosting a Reshoring Seminar in the Chicago area on June 21st. There is a link to this event here. Not only will Harry Moser from the Reshoring Initiative speak about reshoring and how to go about it, but experts in the milling industry will discuss how to be more productive.

Harry will be showing his free tool, the TCO Estimator , for calculating the true Total Cost of Ownership. It can help large shops determine whether to outsource or not, and it can help small shop sell the benefits of local suppliers.

This is a free event, and companies involved in milling are invited to attend. However seating and space is limited, so advanced registration is required.

Go to the link here for more information, and if interested, and in the milling industry, feel free to sign up.

Filed Under: CAM software, Marketing, Politics Tagged With: , ,

Forum – Are Dealers Still Needed?

April 26, 2011 By jjaje 1 Comment

Recently while browsing some CAM related forums, I ran across the question Are Dealers Still Needed? This was a very good question and definitely worth pondering. Most of the comments were mostly of the opinion that dealers were not needed anymore.

Certainly one could make a case that the average shop owner and CADCAM user is more computer savvy than 10-20 years ago. There are more available post processors than there used to be, though customization of post processors is still needed. (see our previous blog entry on post processors starting here)

What I want to do is go back in time a little bit. When I was first introduced to dealers, they weren’t called dealers. A dealer is simply a middle man who buys product from a supplier and sells it to the end user. Best Buy is a dealer of electronic goods. What dealers were actually referred to in the day was VAR or Value Added Reseller.

You see, a VAR is different from a dealer. They were closer to the end customer and could add value to that customer. CAM software may have been only one portion of the sale, the VAR might also include products like CMM software, computer hardware or cutting tools to services like Networking computers to training.

A VAR in one particular area might be better versed in the local market than the software developer. For example, a VAR in Detroit might be well versed in the automotive market, and know what tools, software and services are necessary for that market. Whereas, a VAR in Texas may know more about oil drilling, and offer value to that industry.

One common thread to VAR’s was training. Almost all VAR’s offered local training for end users. Unfortunately, in the United States at least, too many companies and people discount the value of proper training. Myself, the first CAD package I used in 1987, I had to learn on my own and was not sent to training. This is true of the second and third CAD packages I used also.

At some point in time, many VAR’s decided to reduce technical services and focus more on simply selling product. They could subsist on a smaller, less technical staff, and undercut the VAR’s in price and sell in volume.

So back to the original question, are dealers needed today? If all you are doing is ordering product, probably not so much. Also, there are some companies that get so advanced with the use and application of their software (at least with CAM) that they prefer to work directly with the manufacturer over a dealer, and I can understand that. However, there are a lot more companies that think they are at that advanced of a  level, but simply are not.

They are the companies that don’t get proper training, that don’t have people come in to investigate how to improve a process. Simply put, they don’t know what they don’t know and often are not proactive to fix that. They often don’t use new features in CAM software, even though those very features may make them more productive. I was at a customer location once that was drilling 230+ of the same hole in a part and was doing each one manually. I asked why he didn’t use the automatic feature recognition available, and he said he didn’t know about it or know how to do it. I programmed in 2 minutes what would have taken him a couple hours, yet his employer didn’t think training on that feature was important!

Videos for training are great, but can only take you so far. Training classes are great but can only take you so far. Sometimes a regular visit is useful to help keep you “tuned up” on the latest technology. That was one advantage of a VAR over a dealer.

So in conclusion, dealers can be useful and definitely needed, if they provide local expertise to their markets. Part of the problem in the past are the people looking to save a buck on product and training, instead of valuing expertise.

What are your opinions? Do you value local expertise? Do you prefer to not have a middle man? Leave a comment.

Note: Here at Sescoi, we sell both directly and through a VAR channel. We are always looking for qualified VAR’s to carry our products and provide local expertise.

Filed Under: CADCAM, Marketing Tagged With: , ,

Dental – Revisited

March 24, 2011 By jjaje Leave a Comment

In a previous post named Getting Better Teeth – Faster, we discussed the importance of automating some processes to improve the efficiency of milling dental prothesis. Believe it or not, there is a show located in Cologne, Germany which is dedicated to the dental industry. The IDS, or International Dental Show, is the largest dental specific show in the world. 2011 marks the 34th year for the IDS dental show. IDS runs from March 23 to 26th.

Many people believe that shows are going out of favor or style. Trade shows, like any other business, must evolve as business evolves. They must take advantage of the same instant communication the internet provides that good businesses take advantage of. Trade shows must keep up with the times, or yes, they will eventually fail. Sescoi is actually increasing the number of trade shows they exhibit in. This is because face to face contact is still important, plus to get to see first hand exactly what is new.

So not only are we at Sescoi excited to be part of IDS with our own  booth, but we are excited to be available in partner booths around the IDS show floor. You can read about the new product developments we are showing at this link. However, as always, the best way to get up to date information is to make sure you “Like” our Facebook page on it.

If you find yourself in Cologne, Germany over the next few days, stop by the IDS show and visit Sescoi at booth F051 at Halle 11.1 and see what’s new in milling dental implants and bars.If you can not make it to the IDS show to see some exciting things first hand, than second best is to watch the video below.

 

 

Filed Under: Dental CADCAM, Marketing Tagged With:

Five (5) Reasons to Consider 5-Axis Machining

February 11, 2011 By jjaje Leave a Comment

Several postings in the last few months have addressed different aspects of 5-Axis machining. What I wanted to do quickly here is list some of the top marketing reasons any machine shop should at least consider 5-axis machining as a part of their future:

  1. To accept work other shops can not accept. Let’s face it, some parts can only be done with multi-axis machining. Use the service of providing 5-Axis machining to “get your foot int he door.” From there, work with your customer to send other portions of their work.
  2. For the Opportunity to work on unique parts. Many 5-axis parts are very unique in shape or style. Your web  page, samples area and portfolio can greatly enhance your image with the addition of some unique or complex geometries. Even if they are parts you just design and manufacture for yourselves for display purposes.
  3. As a marketing tool to bid on jobs. By utilizing multi-axis machining, you can advertise the benefits to help you get work. Benefits such as; shorter tools, better finishes, shorter run times…
  4. Expand into other Markets. Implementing a 5-axis solution means that you can expand and service industries other than traditional 3-axis markets. This may include certain aerospace, medical and other applications.
  5. Position yourself as an industry knowledge leader. Being an early adopter of newer technology often means you will become the local expert on the technology. Being an early adopter for the sake of having something first is usually not always a good business decision, but being a successful early adopter , willing to share knowledge when possible, makes you a “go to” guy among your peers.

 

What marketing reasons can you think of for looking at 5-axis technologies? Go ahead and post them in the comments.

Wallpaper, Audi

Cool sample part that requires 5-Axis machining

 

 

Filed Under: 5 axis cnc software, Marketing

IMTS – Day 6, attracting people to your booth.

September 18, 2010 By jjaje Leave a Comment
F-35 Full Scale Model

F-35 Full Scale Model

At trade shows, such as IMTS, you have to attract people to your booth so you can demonstrate your product and its competitive benefits over all of the other products and booths at the show. Companies try all sorts of different methods to attract people to their booth. Some of the things commonly tried include:

  • Bringing in some large or expensive item, like an F-35 jet
  • Hiring models to staff the booth and hand out literature
  • Offering beer or other drinks
  • Trying large videos
  • Some type or raffle or giveaway
  • Providing samples of their products

If you are a milling machine manufacturer, you ship in a mill as a sample, and people can watch it run. If you make cutting tools, it’s easy to provide a large amount of tools for display. If you are a software company, besides computers with software, you may provide sample parts that were cut using your software. This can often show what is possible.

Many booth have many sample parts. However, Sescoi did manage to have some of the most unique and most photographed samples  on display. The robot head was a hit with the younger crowd and students, while the seasoned veterans really appreciated the complexity and level of detail of the Samurai helmet.

Some people skip trade shows, but sometimes it’s the best time to see something you couldn’t see otherwise.

Robot Head

Robot Head

Samurai Helmet

Samurai Helmet

Filed Under: Marketing