As a teaser to a longer blog post I’m working on, here, as promised, is a list of the top 10 CAM software systems for sheet metal, especially for sheet metal cutting and bending.
The basics
Computer-Aided Machining, or CAM software, is a system that any sheet metal worker using computer-controlled machines should have.
The way it works: you start with a CAD file and get as a result from CNC code for your machines. This is why CAD/CAM: from CAD (design) to CAM (machining).
The steps are from CAD to nesting or setting plan, followed by conversion of the software code to a format that machine can read.
CNC code consists mainly of coordinates and motion speeds, as well as the operation (speed/power/force, etc.) it exerts on the material.
Sometimes with that comes a lot of additional features, but that doesn’t fit in this email 😉
The top 10
(In no particular order)
- WICAM PN4000
- TRUMPF TruTops Boost
- PROfirst CAM
- RADAN Suite
- LVD CADMAN Suite
- Bystronic BySoft
- Libelulla Suite
- Metamation
- AlmaCAM
- JetCAM
Which one is best?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are systems that score highly in many areas. There are three criteria that I mainly consider:
- Can the software exploit the full machine potential in terms of functions? (Note: converters are also fine, but must work optimally)
- How does it fit into the process? Easily link via APIs or XML?
- How user-friendly is it? Is it easy to use? Can you automate common tasks with a few clicks?
What is your system?
Are you missing your software system in the list? If so, which one are you using now? Do you like the system? I’d love to hear from you! Click on “ANSWERS” and let me know!
A longer article will follow sometime in the next 2 weeks, and I’m happy to take your questions or feedback into this so be sure to let me know, even if you have general questions.
