I am up to renew our cam license, currently we are using edgecam but the company is giving me the option between fusion 360 and Siemens NX. we are also in the process of upgrading our shop newest machine on the floor is a DMG Mori 2500/700 lathe with live tooling. I would like to hear some opinions on which Software would best suit this. We run production as well as R&D through the shop.
I have not used the Siemens NX software so not able to give you a comparison between those two CAM platforms. I teach Fusion 360 to my students, they grasp the tools and workflow very quickly, able to design and CAM 5 axis machining processes. I have taught Solidworks + HSMWorks, it also was easy to teach. I also taught MasterCAM, it if found in most shops, but it was a tad more difficult to teach the workflow processes to my students. Fusion 360 is cloud based and updates with improvements constantly, but it is the least expensive of the 3 I mentioned. The good thing in the building blocks curriculum in the Titan Academy, the tutorials are outstanding for each. My preference has been Fusion 360, so far I have found it adequate.
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Keep in mind Fusion360 is cloud based and not an option if you’re making ITAR controlled parts for aerospace/military customers. HSMWorks is Autodesk’s non-cloud based option that lags behind Fusion360 in terms of updates and features but it’s still a good value. My assumption is that if your shop can afford DMG Mori 2500/700 you should not skimp on CAM. Go with NX or Mastercam even if they are a bit more difficult to learn you will have better results.
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Thank you, I believe NX will be the best value after really digging into all the information. Our Company is Team Center driven and i do not forsee that investment ever changing. NX seems to be the best most logical choice for us. As for the learning portion… bring it on!! I love my job!!
I feel ITAR compliance is often misunderstood. Solidworks, MasterCAM, Fusion 360, NX, etc are not ITAR complaint software applications. Cloud based services can be ITAR complaint, for example AWS (Amazon Web Services) is cloud based and it has administrative privileges that allows it to be used in ITAR cloud based file server applications. Fusion 360 can be setup to work on files in an offline state, but it’s Team channel can provide users access with rights and privileges. The ITAR compliance is defined on how you control and issue ITAR sensitive documentation to individuals and if you establish an SOP that establishes authority and control, so if controls and measures are setup correctly, you can use Fusion 360, Solidworks PDM, and other file sharing cloud services.
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For multi-tasking machines I would be looking at Mastercam or GibbsCAM, NX has large learning curve. Programming DN Solutions PUMA MX and SMX with both of these software. We are a DN Solutions Dealer in northeast.