VX, Delcam, Other?

I am in the process of "exploring" other software options. Even though I am
happy using SolidWorks for injection mold design (never used anything else),
I like to evaluate other options from time to time. This doesn't mean that
I am definitely changing software. However, if I find something that is
very strong and a lot more efficient, then there is a possibility that I may
change. The 2 that I have quickly found that appear to be strong in the
mold design industry are VX Cad/Cam and Delcam.

Has anyone here ever used either of these pieces of software (especially for
mold designs)? If so, I would like to here your comments on them (good,
bad, ugly).

Also, if anyone has experience using anything other than these 2 in this
industry with good results, what was it and what made it so good?

TIA

 

I found VX to be really average in the CAD, it stinks in the CAM aspects ,do
not even bother with it if thats what you are looking at it for.

 

[ cross posted from comp.cad.solidworks <--> alt.machines.cnc ]

Michael Gailey is currently using VX and this x-post to alt.machines.cnc
may elicit a response from him. You can find samples of the work his
company does here;

http://www.microsystemsgeorgia.com/toc.htm

There's also a Delcam user (a moldmaker) that frequents the group.

Other software you should be considering is Cimatron and VISI.

http://cimatron.com/
http://www.vero-software.com

HTH

 

Rocko,
Actually that is one of the aspects I was looking at. Just quickly browsing
their site, it looked as though this was one of their strong points. Maybe
I'm wrong. I am curious how long ago you used this and if you think that it
looks like it has gotten better since then, based on their website. If it
has been a while since you used it, could you take a quick look and
re-comment?

Thanks,

 

Where i worked before they where using ug, pro engineer,mastercam and
delcam all to produce the same product. Moulds for the glass industry.
So there is some pretty hard and complex surfacing.

i will order them from best to worst

delcam products

there cam package(powermill) is just very good for 3d and 5 axis but
crap for 2.5D. Machines will run faster and produce better finish.
Easy to learn and so powerfull concerning 3d milling and high speed
machining.

There surface modeler (powershape) is so good with accepting native
data from other cad systems ideal to put drafts and splitlines and
repairing models. There approach of surfacing is a bit different then
other system but very powerfull and easy to learn. The strength of the
product really comes when you have to start to to tweak the surfaces.
It is a well tought and easy user interface. One plus point it is good
for wrapping curves and surfaces on whatever kind of surface.
Only hic it is only parial parametric. But the speed of surfacing
makes a lot of good.
The guys working with powershape are more productive then a parametric
system.
It is also not the best for producing drawings. But as a mould maker i
think there is no need to.

Ug comes second close to powershape it is a bit slower to work with
and has not some much machining strategies for 3d as powermill. But if
you consider UG u would have also a look to CATIA surfacing will be
better but it will cost you dollars.

mastercam same as ug except no drawings only modelling anc manufacture

pro engineer will do all the surfacing work but it will take longer
Cam is crap for 3d and complex.

 

Thank you. I will definitely read this. I briefly tried to find discussion
groups on this software myself but couldn't find any.

 

Seth

I have been using VX for about two years, until recently. I also
design Molds. Don't even waste your time. There cad is ok, there cam
sucks!!!!
It is way to buggy, and there post processing capabilities are
terrible.

I switched to SolidWorks and Mastercam about 6 months ago and have
never looked back.

Chris

 

Here's my 2 cents....

Delcam PowerShape is great for core cavity design. IMHO, there is nothing
better. But they are still bugs in their assembly modeling. I just
designed an 16 cavity tool with 112 EJ pins in it, guided eject, etc... I
did the design in a single day, but it was having trouble once I started
added water channels, and making prints.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely *LOVE* the software. Their electrode
wizard is the best! But they need to concentrate on their assembly
modeling.

 

Thank you all for your input. Looks like VX is not an option now. But
Delcam is looking better....

 

Interesting....

Solidworks offering engineering services using their own software. I agree,
I bet then it would be developed to the extreme. Of course they would then
probably have 2 versions. The version that we all would get, and the high
performance version that they would use.

Seth

 

Seth,
I would suggest you look into MasterCam and GibbsCam also, the neat thing
about these two is that changes in the model will be reflected automatically
in the tool paths.
Rocko

 

Rocko,

My primary focus on evaluating other software is actually to make my mold
designing more efficient. Having a built-in or add-on CAM package is
secondary, but still a large consideration.

We currently have a seat of Esprit that we use for machining (though not
associative to SW model changes) and the CAM guy is fairly pleased with it.
From what I have seen, I don't think it is very capable software. But, I
have never personally used it either. It's lack of capability may simply be
the lack of capability of the operator.

Anyway, if we continue this path of having 2 totally different systems that
require exporting models from the design software to the CAM software (which
it looks like we are), then my evaluations on new software do not require a
built-in or add-on CAM package. That would be just a BONUS feature that I
could include in the evaluation. Although, if a good built-in or add-on CAM
package is available within the software that I am evaluating for design,
then maybe I could convince management to switch software in that department
also.

 

Seth, take a look at the links below maybe this is what you are looking for
and they are SW Gold Partners. Hope these are helpfull.
www.capvidia.com www.imold.com www.RnBUSA.com
http://www.solidworks.com/pages/products/solutions/moldbase.html

Rocko

 

Rocko,

I have briefly looked at a couple of these add-ins in the past. There are
benefits from each of them individually. So I plan on evaluating each them
in depth soon.

But, basically what I was trying to see is if anyone that is now using SW
for mold design (with or without those add-ins) had ever used a totally
non-SolidWorks system that they liked better. I just wanted to see what's
out there. I guess I should have stated this a little different to begin
with.

Thank you for you advise.

 

There is a transfer button that is in the SW menu, when you transfer the
part into GibbsCam it appears then you start creating tool paths ect.. Lets
say that you machine the part but someone desides that the draft angle on
the pocket should be only 3 degrees and not 5 . All you do is change the SW
part then hit the transfer button again. A box pops up and asks if 1) you
want to replace the existing model 2) import into the existing file
(additional solid in case you want the previous one for some reason). Then
you hit "redo all operations" button in Gibbs then it will redo all the tool
paths with the updated Cad Geometry.