ASSIGNMENT - 1

SWAT ANALYSIS OF CAM SOFTWARE

INTRODUCTION:-
Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) is the use of software and computer

controlled machinery to automate a manufacturing process.

Based on that definition, you need three components for a CAM system to

function:-

• Software that tells a machine how to make a product by generating toolpaths.

• Industrial machinery that can turn raw material into a finished product.

• Post Processing converts toolpaths into a language machines can understand.

KEY FEATURES OF CAM:-

Before you pick your ideal CAM Software, it’s critical to understand what features you need.

• Machining: Shapes various parts or workpieces into the ideal shape by removing unwanted materials
with robust machines. An excellent machining tool allows you to streamline all of your machining
needs

• Turning: Removes unnecessary materials from workpieces with a turning or cutting machine. This
accessory enhances turning machines to increase productivity.

• Solids: Models 3D parts and objects digitally. A useful solids tool allows you to create and import
models that you’re manufacturing.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE TOP 10 COMPUTER-AIDED MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE:-

(1) Fusion 360:

Fusion 360 is one of the top 10 CAM software used in many manufacturing industries to develop the product.
To use this software, there are some desktop requirements. The CPU should be of a 64-bit processor, and the
memory of the PC should be a minimum of 3 GB. If the memory is more than 3 GB, it is absolutely fine. The
most crucial requirement is of the internet connection of 5mbits/s. More than 5mbits/s is extremely beneficial.
The price of Fusion 360 software is categorized into two packages. The standard package is available at $300
per year, and the ultimate package at $1500 per year.

(2) Solid Edge:

Solid Edge CAM software is the most-used and trouble-free to use the software. The main advantage of this
software is it performs all the operations of the product development processes like cutting, welding, molding,
nesting, etc. Solid Edge software is available in four different packages, namely, Design and Drafting,
Foundation, Classic, and Premium. The monthly subscription for the Design and Drafting package is $100, for
Foundation package is $230. The price per month for the Classic package of Solid edge software is $290, and
Premium is $420.

(3) HSM:

HSMWorks CAM software is the top 10 software used in manufacturing industries. The biggest advantage of
using this software is it reduces the cycle time and has milling, turning, and mill-turn potential features.
Additionally, this software increases productivity as it has 2.5 and 3-axis milling. The subscription for
HSMWorks software is $60 per month, $248 per year, and $668 for three years.

(4) SolidWorks CAM:

SOLIDWORKS CAM software is now integrated with SOLIDWORKS CAD software. The benefit of this software
to integrate with SOLIDWORKS CAD is it develops the product while it is in the designing phase. So, the
manufacturers need not have to wait until the design of the product is finished. The price of the SOLIDWORKS
CAM software is $2400.

(5) NX CAM:

NX CAM software is the combination of the NC programming capabilities and also the manufacturing software
applications. It provides an easy way to use and has gained customer satisfaction in large numbers. This
software also offers a wide range of features has capabilities of 2 ½-axis milling, 3-axis milling, 5-axis milling,
turbomachinery milling, turning, and wire EDM. This software is available free for the first 30 days.

(6) Gibbs CAM:

Gibbs CAM is the most-used software that provides numerous tools to design faster the parts of the product.
Additionally, this software offers various options. You can download this software on the PC having a 64-bit
processor and requires Intel Core 2 or any newer version. It requires memory storage of 4GB and 700MB of
drive space. The price of GibbsCAM 2018 is $75, and that of GibbsCAM 2016 is $60.

(7) Power Mill:

Power Mill CAM software is the tool that has the capabilities of 2 to 5-axis milling. The benefit of using this
software is it reduces the time and expense of developing the products. It incorporates features like high-
speed machining, enhanced performance, high-speed roughing, advanced finishing, surface probing, and many
more. This software is the most-used software by more than 15,000 manufacturing industries.

(8) Mastercam:

Mastercam software incorporates enhanced toolpaths and CAD tools. This software offers the options of
milling, turning, multi-tasking, and write EDM. There some desktop requirements to download this software.
Mastercam requires a 64-bit processor with 8 GB RAM. The speed of the processor should be 2.4 GHz or more.
The price of Mastercam varies according to the options present in it; The price may range from $4,000 to
$40,000 per seat.

(9) Cimatron:

Cimatron CAM software consists of all the toolpaths with NC programming and ensures time to time delivery
of the products. To download this software, you need a 64-bit processor and Intel Core i7 4th generation. It
offers users options like milling, turning, molding, 5-axis milling capabilities, etc.

(10) SolidCAM:

SolidCAM software is the leading software used by many industries. This software has unique iMachining
milling technology, which saves 70% of the cycle time. Additionally, it has a high-speed surface, 5-axis
capabilities, turning, advanced mill-turn option, etc.

MARKET SHARE OF HIGH-END CAM SOFTWARE:-

Market Share

Mastercam
22%
Others
45%

Solid CAM
8%

Power Mill
6%
Nx
8%
Cimatron Gibbs CAM
HSM 1%
5% 5%

Pros and Cons:-

(1) Fusion 360:

Pros:

• Autodesk Fusion 360 is great at top down design

• Design Flexibility

• Cloud Based/Great for collaboration

• Many different tools available for analysis

 • Affordable subscription-based software

Cons:

• Drawing environment could improve significantly, especially when compared to Inventor

• Would like to be able to replace parts within a design assembly

• Joints are sometimes limiting for assembly environments

(2) Solid edge:

Pros:

• It has very good user interface in classic or ordered environment.

• In 2D or drafting, you can give any Geometric tolerancing and symbols to any dimension. There is a
wide range of options available.

• You can convert any files in step file (.stp) and can open it in other designing applications easily.

• After converting 3D drawings in 2D you can make changes in 2D drawing by converting it in the draft.
You can also add details like cross-sections and detailed view.

• You can directly make threads without creating holes.

Cons:

• You can not create holes in cylindrical or curved surfaces directly. First, you will have to create a
plane, and then only you can create holes or threads.

• In synchronous mode, if you have created a drawing and then extruded it, later if you will edit the
drawing there won't be any changes in subsequent parts.

• There are some errors switching between the synchronous and ordered mode.

• Their pattern command is a little complicated you need to see the tutorial for curved pattern.

(3) HSM:

Pros:

• Meeting security standards and regulations

• High levels of trust and authentication

• Tamper-resistant, tamper-evident, and tamper-proof systems to provide extremely secure physical

systems

• Providing the highest level of security for sensitive data and cryptographic keys on the market

• Quick and efficient automated lifecycle tasks for cryptographic keys

• Storage of cryptokeys in one place, as opposed to several different locations

Cons:

• costly updates of HSMs

• Another drawback in using HSM is the lack of transparency in the model. Because most vendors do
not allow independent review, there is a challenge in testing the effectiveness of random number
generators in the hardware.

(4) SolidWorks CAM:

Pros:

• User friendly (Easy to learn)

• Integrated to different other software's like SOLID CAM, ANSYS. (Direct import and export of
the file can be done easily)
• Complex motion analysis can be done.
• Realistic rendering can be obtained but not that good as Catia.
• Complex surfaces can be Designed and their patterns can be viewed.
• A proper estimation of Cost report and durability of the given product can be obtained.
• Weldments is an additional added feature then other software's

Cons:
• Few modules like Ergonomics is still missing.
• Drawing and drafting particular product is still to basic level.

(5) NX CAM:
Pros:

• It has simple commands for 3D Modeling

• Its User interface is very simple
• It is user friendly & supports team PLM

Cons:

• They Can add simulation for Plastics & FEA

• They need to improve their updates & cost
• They can improve their new versions & remove bugs

(6) Gibbs CAM:

Pros:

• Machine Simulation: Implement animated machine tool models to recognize any errors before
making mistakes on the shop floor via the machine simulation.

• Wire EDM: Work with the two through four-axis CNC Wire EDM module to gain full control of wire
EDM machining operations and post processors for each major wire EDM machine brand.

• 5-Axis Multi Blade: Simplify bisk, bling and impeller parts with blades by leveraging the 5-axis
multiblade accessory. It also streamlines machining programming centers and multi-tasking
machines.
 • Volu Mill: Work with uninterrupted toolpaths, which streamlines the CNC program with the VoluMill
tool.

• Multi-Task Machining: Utilize the graphical interface for multi-task machining with a variety of
turning and milling capabilities. This solution also enables users to update operations as production
changes appear.

• Polar and Cylindrical Milling: Execute three-axis milling functions with a rotary axis that wraps over
shapes, performs cylindrical and polar rotary milling and conducts rotary repeats via the polar and
cylindrical milling asset.

• Radial Milling: Review 3D wireframes and solids to pinpoint off - centered rotary machining through
the radical milling appliance via the radial milling accessory.

Cons:

• Lacks the smart guessing feature

• Not compatible with Doosan turning machine

• Not a cloud solution

(7) Mastercam:

Pros:

• User-friendly interface and simulation

• Can generate programs for turning and milling
• a common interface and workflow across modules leading to a smooth transition from one machine
to another
• Popular solids modeling interface
• Convenient Mastercam parameter screens
• Minimized learning curve
• Preferred machining strategies
• Make your entire shop faster and more efficient
• It is most widely used software

Cons:

• Simulation is not good

• Sometimes tooling that we have on shop floor is having different dimensions than actual ones so we
have to fill data manually
• It is too costly for small cap industries
• Standardization of my database of CAD files with affects the quality of my NC programming
• There is no forum for sharing knowledge about this software where we can get answers from
machinists, engineers, and other personnel in the manufacturing industry across the globe

Outcome:-

• We have learned about cam software and their types

• Features and use cam software in manufacturing, productivity, efficiency and
improving the quality of end produc