Hi,
Could someone recomend a N.C producing software / add on which could do the following.
We would like to create a part in Solidworks, this could be a flat plate or section (ie beam, column, angle etc). These parts would have holes ect in.
From this Solidworks part we then would like to create N.C data so these parts could be drilled cut to length on our burning / saw and drill machine.
The saw and drill and burning machines are Ficep - Tipo.
What N.C producing software is out there which could do this?
Thanks
Mark
I would ask the Ficep - Tipo people what CAM software they recommend. You will need software that can create a CNC file that your Ficep - Tipo can read into its controller. Ficep - Tipo should know best what CAM packages work well with their controller.
Cheers,
Anna
Hi all,
Thanks for reply / info.
At the moment we have lots of different software that runs different machines, and we are trying to find 1 package that will produce N.C code for all our machines. Ideally by using something within SolidWorks to produce the require G-code.
With the Tipo machines we could save a SolidWorks model as a Step file and import and this is something we were looking at.
Thanks again for the info.
Mark
Hi Mark
I know this is a very old post but, did you make any progress with creating NC data fo beams etc?
Roy.
Hi Roy,
No never did get the chance to demo anything been too busy.
I did however find a web site which looked interesting.
Google this CMS - component management software. Or search for Structsoftsolutions.
You are looking for the cms software found under the products tab.
This seems to offer the ability to generate N.C info from a SolidWorks model.
Let me know what you think / how you get on.
Regards
Mark
Contacted these people. Although they say it's part of SW it's a piece of code that creates a new file that is read into another programme and worked on outside SW. Another issue is that is does not work straight from weldements. These have to be saved out as bodies.
I've sent some model bodies to see how it performs.
Roy.
Hi Roy,
Old post but just had some info back from Strucsoft solutions.
I passed on some parts in SolidWorks , IGES, AutoCad and IFC format for them to have a look at.
They were able to create N.C code for the more straight forward parts i.e. Beams, Columns, flat plates but anything with a bend or camber they were unable to make N.C info.
So at present this is of no real use to us, they did say that the product was under constant improvement and would contact me if they were able to create N.C data from the more complex shapes I sent.
If I hear anything from them I will let you know.
Thanks
Mark
We're going through this as well. Here are all of the vendors that we are comparing:
SigmaNEST (stand alone nesting software)
SolidNEST (integrated into SolidWorks)
SolidCAM
Mastercam
CAMWorks (leaning towards this, but I will let you know our results after the demos)
Hi William,
We have used SigmaNest since about 2001.
We looked at SolidNest when it first came out, but found the nesting capabilities to be limited, You could only auto nest, where we find that sometimes we could get a better nest by manually nesting, don't know if this has been improved over the years.
Also been looking at SolidTube, which allows you to create burning N.C for pipes, tubes, hollow section etc.
Will definitely have a look at CamWorks let me know how your demo goes.
Thanks
Mark
I just created a post in the thread: CAD/CAM Software recommendation.
I say, BobCAM for SolidWorks.
Make sure you get a version that has the 'toolpath editor' feature. Otherwise, it is just a bunch of fancy pocket routines.