Missler Software, Inc

Over the years, I have had many people ask me if there is any value to using a Cam software to program simple turning with.

The argument is always the same.  People feel that they can program the turning far easier at the control of the machine. 

I have two arguments against that.

First, when your programming at your machine, your machine isn’t running.  And thus, it isn’t making parts.  And you guessed it…it isn’t making you money either!  But maybe you’re ok with your machine sitting still and not making you any money…

Secondly, when your customer sends you a design change, then what?  You stop your machine, (from making you money) so that your programmers can make the needed change?  I ask, how does that make any sense?

Shouldn’t your goal be to keep that machine running as much as is humanly possible?

Yes!

And so my answer to the initial question is, “Yes, there is tons of value in using a Cam software to program simple turning parts!”

Let’s look at an example.

And remember, during my example, your machine is constantly running, making parts and making you money!

Your customer, let’s call him “Al” for discussion sake, contacts you.  (If your name is Al, I am not picking on you!)

Al calls you up and has a hot job for you to quote.  It’s an aluminum nozzle of some type.  He asks if you’re interested (I know…silly question), and sends you a PDF file of the part to machine.  And you being a very progressive person asks if he has actual cad data available with this project.  And guess what, he doesn’t!  Huge shock, right?  So he sends you the PDF file and you quote the job! (click on the image to see it full size)

And not 5 minutes after you email Al with your quote, you receive a PO for the job with a note saying they need the parts ASAP! (Hey it’s my fictional story…in my stories, people give out PO’s super fast!)

So you get to work on drawing up the nozzle in your copy of TopSolid 7! 

And while you are doing this, guess what’s happening?  Yup…your machine is still running, making parts and making you money!

Now, 10 minutes or so passes and the Nozzle is now designed up and ready for manufacturing.  I know that seemed really fast to me too.  Perhaps watching the video below will make you understand how quickly you can actually model up such a simple part. (click on the image to the left to see it full size)

So you have your new job designed up.  And because it didn’t take you but a few minutes to do, AND because your machine is still running, making parts and making you money, you go and get yourself a much deserved coffee!

Now, while you’re getting your coffee you are already planning on what tooling you will need to machine the nozzle with.  And by the time you get back to your desk, you have a plan in your head and now it’s time to put it into motion.  (click on the image to the right to see it full size)

The video below shows exactly the steps you take to prepare your tooling and get your part ready to be programmed!

Alright, so let’s review everything that’s happened so far that matters.

• You got a new hot job
• You designed it in TopSolid
• You got a coffee!
• You prepared all of your tooling
• Oh yeah…and your machine is still running, making parts, making you money!

So now it’s time to program the job.  And that’s exactly what you do next.  After all, it’s a rush a job!  Al needs his parts ASAP!  (click on the image to the left to see it full size)

The final video below, shows the steps that you took to program the job using TopSolid Cam 7′s revolutionary tool path generation process! 

Oh, and by the way, you had a lot of fun programming this job with TopSolid Cam 7!

So to sum things up, you should have learned that there is massive value in letting your machines do what they do best, machine parts.  And that using a Cam solution like TopSolid Cam 7, can in fact, make your life easier, more productive and more profitable!

And if you haven’t already done so…Download the 30 day trial today!  Or just give us a call and buy TopSolid 7 now!