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Onshape Needs Its Own CAM

jon_30jon_30 Member Posts: 38 ✭✭
edited May 2015 in General
Integrated CAM within SolidWorks has never lived up to the hype because both CAD and CAM really need to share the same database. Using a CAD systems API hasn't worked out very well and I no longer believe it's an effective strategy for true, fully integrated, CADCAM. I'm not the only one who has this belief. This CADCAM architect, who was responsible for a good deal of think3, shares my belief. For those not aware think3 had/has much better surfacing tools than either SolidWorks or Autodesk Inventor:

http://www.openmind-tech.com/en/products/hypercad-s-cad-software/inside-hypercad-s.html

Sadly, Onshape has the same mentality for 3rd party applications that SolidWorks had when it was founded.

Open Mind is building their own CAD despite running inside of both SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor. Other CAM companies that I speak with are starting to realize they need their own CAD and are doing something about it.

Jon Banquer
CADCAM Technology Leaders group on LinkedIn




Comments

  • colemancoleman OS Professional Posts: 244 ✭✭✭
    @Jon Banquer 
    Why do you feel so strongly that OnShape CAD should integrate a CAM package?  

    Here, look at this link from the OnShape website: https://www.onshape.com/cad-blog/onshapes-core-values-our-statement-of-principles

    Their core values and mission statement say nothing to indicate the focus is on CAM.  OnShape is a CAD package.  

  • colemancoleman OS Professional Posts: 244 ✭✭✭
    You can't really separate CAD from CAM no matter how much you try. Without powerful CAD you lose CAM program creation efficiency.

    "Their core values and mission statement say nothing to indicate the focus is on CAM."

    Then it's time to adopt better and more complete core values as well as gain a better understanding of the tools CADCAM programmers really need.

    Jon Banquer
    CADCAM Technology Leaders group on LinkedIn


     




    1) You can separate CAD from CAM.  I am a CAM programmer and I program parts everyday without a solid model created in a CAM software.

    2) There are many CAD users who have NO use for CAM whatsoever.  CAD applications extend beyond parts that will be fabricated on a CNC machine.  


    3) I think Onshape is on the right track and there is a need for the product they are creating.  

    4) Onshape is spot-on by utilizing technology partners.  Look at apple and the app store.  There is power in community and by allowing technology partners to develop applications that work with the core platform growth is exponential.  

    Imagine the possibilities if there were thousands of apps that link with onshape in the future.  
  • mcconnell113mcconnell113 Member Posts: 74 ✭✭
    As a CAM user I agree that it would be nice to see a CAM built from the ground up that was made for use with OnShape
    John McConnell - Let's change things.
    Saplingstore.com
  • SummerSummer Member Posts: 1
    As a current Fusion 360 user frustrated with much of their idiocracy I have been seriously eyeing Onshape but it looks like I might be trading one set of problems for another. The responses here toward an integrated cam solution make me sad and definitely make me less interested in considering Onshape. 
    With all the shortcoming of Fusion 360 having integrated CAM still makes it a much better option for me. 
    In another thread I see many people suggesting cheap CAM options. Most mesh based. I can tell you that after using a half decent CAM package and F360 might be half decent at best the thought of going back to anything less is just not going to happen. 
    I was grandfathered in to the ultimate subscription for the $300 a year price so I can't really afford to drop that subscription but if Onshape proved to be better I might almost consider it. Even if I didn't have this cheap subscription or if I decided to get another CAD program I still don't think I would be able to justify spending $1200 a year on Onshape if it didn't have capable integrated CAM. 
  • david_smith431david_smith431 Member Posts: 2 PRO
    edited September 2015
    SolidCAM now have a page with beta user sign up (broken form).
    http://www.solidcam.com/en-us/solutions/cad-integration/onshape/
    Any sign of a road map?
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