Group,
I have been using SmartCam since 1989, and it has never failed me
yet. At my current job, my partner and I program 60+ CNC
machines. 3D (surfacing jobs & full 4th axis) come up about
once a month. Most of our jobs are 2-1/2 axis, and indexing.
I, also am looking into upgrading (not till I have to), primarily because
of operating systems. SmartCam will do just dandy as long as I can
maintain Windows 98. As a progressive shop, that may not
last.
Two weeks ago the local dealer offered to replace our SmartCam seats for
FREE with Unigraphics. I have about 3 years experience with UG,
back in the late eighties, and it worked sweetly. My concerns are
losing the ability to customize post processing. I am a stickler
for detail and refuse to have to edit code after posting. (with 60+
machines, that would be ridiculous!) As far as I am concerned,
SmartCam's tweakable Code Generators is by far the biggest feature, and
is my biggest concern with switching to new software.
So... my question for you all is: How does UG handle posting?
UG is at the top of my list. However FeatureCAM, I am considering,
also. The main reason for looking at FeatureCAM is that I know many
previous "die-hard" SmartCAM users (whose judgment I trust) are
raving about it. They have complained about the limitations of
tweaking posts, however...
This thread may become "tired", soon... so I invite everyone to
email me "off the list" if that happens
Mark Chambers
Programming Manager
Fortner Aerospace Manufacturing
