5 Ways Shops Like Yours Cut Their Programming Time In Half with CAM Software

As a job shop manufacturer, you’re always looking for ways to increase profits while cutting time. Improve your programming process by using these 5 time-saving features of BobCAD CAM. 

1) Importing CAD Files

Being able to work with a variety of CAD (computer aided design) files types is a huge time saver. This is why all of our file translators come standard, giving our customers more options to work with customer-supplied files. You can’t program a part without a print, BobCAD gives users more options to import and edit direct and natural CAD files extensions popular with today’s design engineers.   If you can open them, you can measure them, edit them and even convert them to g-code. Working with CAD is much faster than doing the math on your own. And yes, we’re talking to you gunslinger g-code assassins. We know you’re good, but working with CAD files is better. With BobCAD you get more options for geometry import!

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2) Cross-Posting

One huge time saver of CAD CAM software is the ability to create simple or complex g-code programs quickly and accurately.  The “post processor” is used to format the g-code for the particular machine and controller you are working with.  Most shops have more than one machine in the shop, and it’s common to have different brand machines and controllers.  Stop wasting time hand editing g-code programs for different machines. Using BobCAD CAM software users can “switch” which post processor / machine definition you are using, creating new g-code programs formatted correctly for the different machines in the shop.

Easily switch between control types and machine configurations. Giving you the ability to wire g-code for the machine you currently have, the machine that’s open, or the one you’ll get in the future that you haven’t thought about yet.

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3) Simulation & Reporting

Make better programming decisions by using reports and simulation. Using BobCAD’s standard simulation tools you can see what’s going on before you get out to the machine. Thinking something through is one thing, seeing it in real-time is another. Before you set up a single work offset or optimizing fixturing for a production run, don’t you want to see what you planned out in your head? Couldn’t you use a report providing details on the job you’ve had to calculate by hand in the past?  BobCAD includes reports and simulation tools that show total traveled distance, which direction your tool is going, how far it’s sticking out, what clamp fixtures or work holdings might be in the way. How long it takes, how much stock is left, how much clearance you have and more! Simulating and reporting helps you avoid costly mistakes and gain a greater understanding of job requirements. Prove out the processes before the job material, equipment or tooling is available.

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4) Create and Reuse 

If you program similar type parts or have a standard machining process you can save a lot of time by reusing toolpath and CAM tree settings, which in some cases can take a lot of time and effort to set up properly.  Put that time back in your pocket by using BobCAD’s CAM libraries, CAM tree templates, and other create and reuse features.  Get more done in less time when you reuse your toolpath settings, machining features, CAM Tree, and other settings to establish standard processes. Capture your shops best practices and re-use them over and over again.

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5) Adaptive Toolpaths

New toolpath technology allows users to slash cycle times by as much as 70% ! Bid more competitively, knowing you can reduce cycle times to increase production with our modern cutting strategies. Cut deeper, run smoother, and increase material removal rates. Ok, so maybe this one is more about cutting cycle times down, but you decide what’s most important for you.

Put these time-saving features to the test, and learn about other popular features of BobCAD by downloading a demo of BobCAD CAM software today!

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