[mfg-smartcam] RE:

[John Coulston]

Still using SmartCAM FFM to drive our VMCs, mostly prismatic parts with pockets, holes tapping, slots, profiles, little bit of free form ect.  We are currently looking for a new CAM program to integrate with Solid Works.  With SmartCAM I feel that just about anything can be customized.  Im a little bit reluctant to switch to another program, they don’t seem to be as customizable (CG, tool path, macros ect) as SmartCAM.  The new technology might help with feature recognition.    We received Ideas and Genmach when SDRC was the purchaser, wow that was going backward fast compared to SmartCam.  If I can find a good CAM package to use with native Solid Works files and it has half the ability of SmartCAM, I think I might be able to become productive once again.  We all have to realize that eventually SmartCam will unfortunately be put out to pasture.  At least I haven’t been paying maintenance for the last couple of years, that will help when I have to get the checkbook out to pay for a new CAM package.  Came in at 3:00am so I could get a full day in before Thanksgiving dinner, so excuse any confusing sentences J   Does anyone else use Solid Works and a CAM package together? Or heard of any recomandations.   Happy Thanksgiving   John     CBR Industries, Inc. CNC Milling & Turning www.cbrcnc.com   -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Jeff Pieper Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2001 1:07 PM To: SmartCAM List Server Subject:   To All,   I wonder how many other companies along with ourselves still solely use SmartCAM. I see the same 8 names on this forum. Are we the last of the dieing breed?   What machines do you program with it?   I'm just curious about how others program the same part on all 4 sides of the tombstone on a HMC. If the program has 10 tools per part, do all 10 tools run on B0 then again on B90, etc. creating 40 tool changes or do you prefer to rotate the pallet 4 times for each tool? If the latter, how?   Also, does anyone else program a Niigata PN40 HMC, Mori-Seiki SH50, or Mori-Seiki SV500 VMC?   How about a Daewoo VMC? What code is used for rigid tapping on this machine? What should the code look like?   Does anyone have an operator of the machine that you program that continually marks up and changes the program to his preference? I have operators that run the program as is with not one change, but when this one individual runs the same program he always has to change something. I don't like marked up programs in the shop. Operators question it everytime instead of just cycle starting the darn thing.   How about 20 year old operators that hire in fresh from McDonald's that are telling you how to do your job? We've got two of them that are trying to get a feather in their hat. Their ideas were used back in the 70's when we used to have tape machines.   I was just curious to know if others have these problems or how other shops programmed there machines. Thanks for your feedback in advance.      Have a Happy Thanksgiving.   Jeff Pieper  Pieper CNC Programming & Design EATON Hydraulics