I'm running a 5 axis now and I like to keep various common workholding setups in an assembly that i can just mate my part in. This gives me the ability to pull measurements from each body per each op. A lot of times I'll make solid bodies from each op, all nested in the same file. The main reason I use mcamfsw almost exclusively is the cad creation and modification. I don't know why this functionality isn't there. One thing I miss from standalone is "toolpath editor" which allows you to modify feedrates on individual lines of path. Yes, if machine shops are current on their maintenance, they can run either version, but realistically, how many owners would be willing to have their programmers use different versions of Mastercam in their shop? But also keep in mind, that I believe most machine shops are using the standard version of Mastercam, so if they were taught in school MC4SW, when they go out in the real world for a job, they might get a little push back from possible employers because they know a different version of Mastercam. If most of the students are versed in drawing with SolidWorks, then MC4SW might be the better version to use as more time can be spent on teaching the different machining methods versus time spent on the CAD part. To me, the main difference between the two versions is the CAD part. I have tried exporting them in various formats and still can't get them to open properly in SolidWorks. Also, quite often the models provided for study purposes simply won't work in SolidWorks, they blow up or are missing surfaces. I was working on one of the multiaxis books and they wanted the user to use "roll die", that is not available to me with MC4SW.
#MASTERCAM SOLIDWORKS SERIES#
With the Emastercam series of training material, I sometimes run into issues with some machining options just not being available. Now having said that, I have had issues with training material from various vendors as they are almost exclusively designed for the standard Mastercam.
As Pete mentioned, "most" of the tool paths are available to me using my seat of MC4SW. The other 2 machinist that work here, use the regular version. And I feel very comfortable if I have to add geometry or modify the model in any way.
#MASTERCAM SOLIDWORKS FREE#
Our facility is a product development company and we have about 75 engineers here that all use SolidWorks, so for me, it is simple to open the models and be current and have a trouble free model. When we bought our Mastercam license, I think it was the 2nd year that MC4SW was available, so for that reason, I do not have the option to use the standard version of Mastercam. I started using SolidWorks back in 1999 so I am very comfortable using it. but there are a lot of people around the world using it every day because it works for them.
I do realize that it's not for everyone : long-time MC users might be averse to learning to model in SW, and you DO need a seat of SolidWorks. For instance CAD-only, or graphics-only, functionality that is SolidWorks-specific that you control in the SolidWorks settings.
" : Configuration is stripped of items that do not apply. the configuration setup for the add-in version is neutered. standalone is a million light years ahead of the add-in. Would it be accurate to say that Solidworks with a Mastercam add-on is a stripped down version of Mastercam?. " : this doesn't do anything except open your SolidWorks file in Mastercam, saving a couple clicks, That's it. open that resulting SLDPRT in MC and everything's there.Īnyone here ever deal with assemblies in Mastercam part data? Whole different ballgame in SW (and therefore, in MCforSW) put toolpaths on one Configuration and using that first Configuration, spawn additional ones with different design paramters but use all the same toolpaths, tools, and parameters. any changes to the spreadsheet automagically mark your toolpaths dirty, requiring just a 'regen' of those dirty ops.
every different part (SolidWorks calls them Configurations) is saved inside the single SLDPRT file. carry all the parameters in an Excel spreadsheet. I think that list is pretty long, but lets start with Design Tables : You can do Family of Parts work in MCforSW. Direct associativity to the SolidWorks geometry, checkīy using it you have access to SW CAD functionality that does not exist in Mastercam. Simple pockets, holes, and contours, check. No C-Hooks or Net-hooks.Įverything else is in there. It does not support the 3D Wireframe (2D Swept, 3D Swept, Loft, Ruled) toolpaths.
#MASTERCAM SOLIDWORKS LICENSE#
MCforSW does not support Mill-Turn machines like Mastercam with a Mill-Turn license does. It sounds to me like there's more of Mastercam in MCforSW than some people are aware of and I wanted to clarify a bit.įirst, MCforSW is an add-on for SolidWorks that allows access to (almost, yup, I'll admit that) all of the Mastercam Mill, Lathe, and Router functionality.