One of the sales reps in my local HAAS dealership told me that FeatureCAM seems to be the most popular software in our area with at least half of all valley companies using it. I can see why, this is pretty sweet…
Fusion is far cheaper, but Cloud based programs turn some users away, ESPECIALLY when it comes to IP and NDA projects.
I have used and still have access to all 3 Fusion FeatureCam and Inventor. Yet to me I love inventor more and more everyday, but FeatureCam I didn’t spend a ton of time on so I could be bias, too
You may find once you learn one CAM package well, migrating over to other systems is a slight learning curve. If the CAM systems are solid based, GUI driven and not 2D only, then dive on in and test it out.
I was first exposed to parts modeling on Inventor back in 2003 which is why Fusion was so easy to pick up, the user interface is very similar. SolidWorks is another one that I really like because of the 3D graphics. As far as cost and ease of use, Fusion is hard to beat.
On another note, I highly recommend that anyone doing CAD work and CAM programming get themselves a 3D mouse. It will make your life much easier. I have been using one for years, even before I started on this new CNC adventure.
This one is my top choice - https://www.3dconnexion.com/products/spacemouse.html
Is a 3D mouse hard pick up on?
This all depends on what the shop is doing. Now-a-days. most job shops will benefit from integrated CAM becuse of the ability to program parts quickly do feature recognition and so on. You can make a bracket in no time allowinig the software to pick up the features and suggest the machining methods all you do is adjust and Go!
Here at work we use Hypermill and Powermill and MasterCrash cough Cam excuse me.
Reason being is we do all internal prototyping for projects we encounter both parts that can use feature recognition and be done quick but others need some serious thought and even custom (not generated but drawn by hand) tool path in order to achieve the tolerance/ form.
CAM to me is more of a TOOL there is not one better than the other. Each has a place and purpose base of its features/controls .
@MarcusMadrid - A 3D mouse is very easy to use and once you try one, you will NEVER go back to a traditional 3-button mouse. You can also reverse every control and there are LOTS of them.
ZOOM is pull up and push down (I myself push down towards my object and pull away from it)
ROTATE is a twisting motion
X/Y PAN is just like an old cross-style joystick, you move in the direction you want to go
ORBIT is really cool, you just tilt in the the direction you want it to spin
The only kicker is that it is VERY sensitive to inputs, so you will definitely want to lower the speed until you get used to it. Again, every control can be adjusted to your liking
I got one off amazon should be here soon,let’s see how I like it.
Thanks for the recommendation!
If you don’t mind me asking how much do one of those things cost?
I have seen a lot of them around the $100 mark.
Do I need to make sure of any certain things are they all windows 10 compatible. Maybe a pitcher and or part # if one of those $100 ones so I know what to look for Please.
This rig should work with all versions of Windows
The small one is $100 and they have other options as well
I had a Space Navigator which was a little bigger and heavier. It looks like they discontinued that one, should still be out there on a few other websites. They also make a wireless version for laptops.
3D Connexion is the manufacturer - https://www.3dconnexion.com/
FeatureCam 2019 is going to be a game changer on with multi level pocket recognition. Great for multi depth islands in pockets.