✓ The software is compatible with my clients’ file formats
This seems obvious, but it is nevertheless a point to check because it is not uncommon for CAD/CAM software to use proprietary formats. To meet your needs, the TopSolid software solution uses the Parasolid exact geometric modelling core, well-known and frequently used in CAD/CAM. Thus, by choosing TopSolid, you will be able to read and write in all open formats on the market, which guarantees the interoperability of your files with the main systems used by your contractors and subcontractors.

✓ I have the opportunity to test the software before buying it
Compulsively choosing your software is out of the question. It is necessary to prepare your project by precisely identifying its needs, using specifications. From there, a good practice is to identify a typical part of your production, if possible complex to better understand the capabilities of CAD/CAM software to be tested. You must then make a pre-selection of 4 or 5 CAD/CAM software and request a free demonstration. Most serious software companies offer this option.

✓ I was fully satisfied with the demo
The demo request should allow you to compare the different software selected and evaluate their technical features with regard to your typical part and your needs. The first element to consider is the ability of the software to efficiently program the manufacture of the submitted part. The second is the software’s ability to adapt to your existing environment. Interoperability is key in this sense: the software must be able to retrieve any type of CAD file and connect to other ERP and CAPM software, reliably and efficiently. At the end of the demo, no grey area should remain. So do not hesitate to put the person in charge of the demonstration to the test! Rely on your specifications to be sure that the software will be useful to you on a daily basis.

✓ The software works properly with my machines
CAD and CAD/CAM needs are directly related to the company’s activity. It is important to understand that a design office of decoration products will not have the same needs or objectives as a toolmaker, an aircraft manufacturer or a manufacturer of special machines. However, it does not matter whether a company is equipped with a CNC wood, sheet metal or mechanical park: it needs a CAD/CAM solution adapted to its needs. It is therefore necessary to favor software adapted to its activity, which integrates relevant business functions.

✓ I have the possibility to customize and upgrade the software
Each profession has its own know-how, and each company has its own processes: the CAD/CAM software must be able to take into account the specific procedures that make up the strength of a company. Don’t settle for a standard solution: opt for a customizable CAD/CAM solution. Only in this way will you be able to capitalize on your know-how, in order to benefit from the best productivity potential.

✓ I inquired with users of the software
The reputation of a solution is an important element to consider. In this sense, what could be better than reviews from real users to help you identify the potential of a software? Read user reviews, look at customer cases, and try to see what are the positive or negative elements that stand out from one user to another, focusing if possible on user reviews from a sector similar to yours.

✓ I have the necessary computers and network infrastructure
Before positioning yourself on a software, remember to ask all the necessary technical questions. For example, you should ensure hardware compatibility between the software and your computers, taking into account the required operating system and the type of graphics card needed, to anticipate any additional costs. Rely internally on the specialists in the field, to be sure not to forget any aspect.

✓ I know how many licenses I need and for how long
License purchase, rental… When it comes to CAD/CAM software, several business models exist. If the rental system, in the form of a subscription, may seem attractive at first glance, it is however necessary to be wary. Admittedly, the company has the possibility to pay in instalments but cumulated over time, the price of the subscription is often higher than the purchase price of a license. In addition, in SaaS mode, you are not in control of your data, since it is the software publisher who has total control over it. In the event of a temporary network outage, you will not have access to your CAD/CAM solution. The purchase of a license allows for its part to offer tailor-made, thinking long-term. By paying the price of the software at once, the company becomes the owner and keeps perfect control over its data. However, this solution requires basic skills for installation, handling and updates of the software. This is why it is advisable to choose a publisher that offers real support and training sessions.

✓ I know the cost of the software and maintenance contract
Beyond the cost of the software and the maintenance contract, it is necessary to ensure what the license includes in terms of accompaniment and support. Aware that the implementation of CAD/CAM software represents a major undertaking, TOPSOLID supports companies from the preliminary phase of the CAD/CAM project, to the implementation and handling of the software. Thus, each TopSolid offer includes a complete training offered to your users, within a TOPSOLID agency. As a CAD/CAM licensee, you then benefit from unlimited customer support via the TOPSOLID hotline, for a minimum period of 6 months. At the end of these 6 free months, you have the option to subscribe to a specific maintenance contract, which will give you unlimited access to dedicated customer support. At the same time, you will have regular access to new training courses to make the most of the evolution of TopSolid’s CAD/CAM software. In addition to in-depth business expertise, TOPSOLID strives to develop a close relationship with its customers, to allow you to go further, always faster.

This article was originally published on CAD/CAM: the essential checklist to make the right choice of software! (topsolid.com)

September 19, 2022 (Tolland, Conn.) – More shops and schools invest in Mastercam than any other CAD/CAM software package in the world. According to CIMdata, Inc., an independent research firm specializing in the NC industry, Mastercam is the number one CAM software used worldwide for 28 years in a row, with more than 300,000 seats installed. In the latest report, Mastercam retained the top spot for CAM software in three categories: industry, education, and support network.

Mastercam topped the list in both the educational and industrial categories, with nearly twice as many installed seats as the nearest competitor*.

“Mastercam having such widespread global use offers a lot of benefits for shops,” says Meghan West, President and CEO of CNC Software, LLC. “The community of users is exceptionally strong, the support network has unmatched experience and expertise, and industrial shops are reducing the skills gap because more students are graduating with Mastercam experience.”

If you run a shop, using the most widely used CAD/CAM software is important. You want reliable code to run your machines at maximum performance for precision and efficiency, and you want access to training and support to keep your shop optimized and business growing.

If you work in education, you want to prepare students with skills they can transfer to further education and gainful employment. You appreciate access to extensive training, curriculum, and projects from Mastercam and authorized partner providers

If you are an individual, using the top CAD/CAM software is important because there is a high demand for skilled workers in manufacturing companies. You can find training and education opportunities to learn Mastercam since it is also the most widely taught, and you can find a job easier with Mastercam skills.

West continues, “Mastercam provides incomparable access and support for shops and programmers. With the largest local Reseller support network of any CAM developer, there is always an expert available to help you get the most benefit from our software.”

1) “Tool Management”: What do we mean by that?
Tool management encompasses physical tool management in a workshop as well as all the technical data attached to each tool and component used in your manufacturing process. This is usually handled by a dedicated software designed to assist machine parts manufacturing by automatically loading technical data into the CAD/CAM system as well as managing tools’ and components’ physical inventory.

Tool management becomes even more important when considering next-generation CAD/CAM software. Based on 3D modeling, machine kinematics, advanced simulation and many other tools needed to create high-precision machined parts, a lot of data is generated to ensure that the products coming off your assembly lines are of the highest quality.

This data needs to be accurate, up-to-date, available, and ready to be retrieved. This way, you avoid inaccuracies and save time and money in the overall process, which also means improving profits.

2) Challenges that come with tool management
Since tools and components for manufacturing processes are a very large and complex topic, one of the biggest challenges is the interface to get the 3D data into the CAD/CAM application. Indeed, in addition to the 3D graphic, a tool also contains many parameters and functions in space that form the basis of the toolpath algorithm in CAM. If there is a single faulty parameter, the operation in CAM is invalid and cannot be generated.

Another challenge is that most of the available solutions on the market only work by pure database application, which means that you only get a graphic view (and not a 3D visualization) of the part to be produced. This makes it confusing and complicated to use, especially for occasional users. Most of these solutions do not facilitate 3D data management or even offer a functional interface for CAM applications.

3) The benefits of a good tool management solution
If all the data for each tool and component are centrally managed, any information can be retrieved at any time and from anywhere in the company. In addition, good tool management ensures that all references and back references are stored, not only for transmission to the CAM system, but also for all existing NC programs. This allows you to better plan for new programs as well as improve change management.

A good tool management solution also provides you with a real time picture of your tool magazine on the shop floor, allowing you to directly synchronize your machine magazine with your CAM environment. Therefore, by centralizing production data, you can optimize your workshop organization and increase overall productivity by:

· Reducing machine set-up lead time

· Improving traceability of program modifications

· Providing precise tool location

· Monitoring the use and wear of tools

4) Advice for beginners
If you are thinking about implementing a tool management system, you should look for a solution that will help you to efficiently manage your tool components, your assembled tools, their life cycle, and is running on a single data source that is always easily and readily accessible. But above all, it should be adapted to your activity!

The tool management solution you consider should be able to adapt to your existing processes, workflows, and growth strategy by being completely modular and scalable. Think big in order to be able to implement additional modules in the future!

You should also be able to build on your existing NC data. As you are not starting from scratch, your tool management solution should automatically take into account your existing data in an intelligent way. Indeed, you cannot afford to stop production while you fill in and set up the database. The system must be able to connect existing data, learn and expand while using it, and integrate it step by step.

5) Why TopSolid’ShopFloor can answer your needs in terms of tool management
What makes TopSolid really unique on the market is that there is no interface between the tool management system and the CAM application. TopSolid’ShopFloor is a product that is completely based on TopSolid’PDM as are all TopSolid solutions. Thus, components and tools are controlled by revision, oriented towards properties and BOMs like a “standard” part or assembly and are fully associable with all modules available in TopSolid (CAM, Design, Draft, …).

To easily create components and assemblies, TopSolid provides libraries to create your own components from fully parameterized ISO 13399 models. Of course, you can also import and use supplier data. TopSolid’ShopFloor supports all data, even data from other tool management systems.

Searching for components and creating assemblies are simple and can be managed via TopSolid’ShopFloor Tool Manager. The fully graphical drag and drop assembly process is very user friendly and is a great help in daily activities.