There is a lot to like about Featurecam but you’d never know it from the lousy website Delcam has created for Featurecam where Delcam refuses to do a direct comparison to Operations-Based CAM to drive the point home on why Feature-Based CAM, if done right, can save a ton of programming time. A direct comparison of Feature-Based CAM to Operations-Based CAM can actually be found in what must have been a very expensive to print piece of Delcam / Featurecam literature. Sadly, the most important information is buried on page 4. It gives direct comparison of Operations-Based CAM to Feature-Based CAM:
Operations-Based CAM:
1. Import or draw part
2. Select a Rough operation.
3. Select a Rough boundary (chain)
4. Select type of toolpath
5. Select a Roughing tool.
6. Select feeds and speeds.
7. Select stepover and Z steps.
8. Select a Finish operation.
9. Select Finish boundary.
10. Select type of toolpath.
11. Select a finishing tool.
12. Select stepover and Z steps.
13. Select feed and speeds.
14. Click Simulation.
15. Create NC code.
Feature-Based CAM (Featurecam)
1. Import or draw part
2. Identify Features
3. Simulate Operations.
Featurecam automatically determines all rough and finish operations for the entire part, selects the appropriate number of tools and tool sizes, calculates feeds and speeds, selects stepover and Z increments, generates leads and links, generates toolpaths, creates the NC code.
Note:
All automation in Featurecam is produced using your preferences and specifications.
Hi Jon, I appreciate your deep understanding of the CADCAM offerings out there, and your take-no-prisoners approach to questioning poor software design. We are a medium sized machine shop about to purchase 3-4 CAM seats. I would really appreciate talking/consulting with you. Thank you very much. Herb
Comment by herb3monroe — August 25, 2009 @ 1:29 pm