Pro/Engineer functions consist of solid model data for tooling and rapid prototyping, CNC manufacturing, finite element analysis, engineering drawings, and revision control information. It is available for various Unix-variants, Windows and Linux. All data is exchangeable between these platforms with no need for conversion.
Pro/Engineer offers its Advanced Rendering system where you can quickly create realistic product images, enabling richer marketing material and more compelling design reviews.
Pro/Engineer also uses Pro/Concept where you can directly export designs to rapid prototype machines, or to CAD solutions for refinement.
CATIA is the high end Parametric CAD/CAM package marketed by IBM. Using CATIA means that all stages of product development are supported, from conceptualization, through design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM) until analysis (CAE). It provides a development architecture through the interfaces which can be used to customize or develop concepts.
CATIA is widely used throughout the engineering industry, especially in the automotive and aerospace sectors and is in direct competition with Unigraphics. Outside of those industries, famous American architect Frank Gehry uses the software to design his award-winning buildings.
CATIA can also perform dynamic dragging like NX although when defining fillets that have variable radii and complex corners, CATIA can't handle these via dragging techniques whereas NX can.
Mid Range CAD Packages
Autodesk Inventor is a mid-range 3D-CAD modeling package which requires powerful processors, video cards and extensive RAM to run. Because this package is now available for personal computers, it is marketed as a low cost alternative to other high spec packages. Inventor is based on newer, more advanced parametric modeling techniques. Users begin by designing parts. These parts can then be combined into assemblies. Editing parts and assemblies are two completely separate operations. It is used in design and engineering to produce and perfect new products. Whereas in CAD programs like AutoCAD the dimensions are geometry-driven, in a parametric modeler the geometry is dimension-driven. If the dimensions are altered, the geometry automatically updates based on the new dimension.
A useful feature of Inventor is the Design accelerator functionality which allows easy movement from 2D to 3D with tools that ease the creation of mechanical components based on real-world attributes such as speed, power, and material properties rather than geometric descriptions.
Parts in Inventor are made by defining features, which are based on sketches. Then a number of parts are put together as an assembly. Assemblies can consist of both parts, and other assemblies. Parts are joined together by adding constraints between surfaces, edges, planes, point and axes. The best aspect of this design is that all of the sketches and features can be edited later, without having to redo the entire part. This system of modelling is much more intuitive than cumbersome systems in older modelling environments, where if you wanted to change basic dimensions you would usually have to delete the entire file and start over.
Autodesk inventor also holds the award for Industry-Leading 2005 DWG Compatibility.
SolidWorks, is a simple to use and affordable program that runs on Windows platforms primarily designed as a high-end cost-effective alternative to 2D CAD packages. Its main focus was to provide users with a way to harness the power of 3D without paying more than average 2D CAD software packages – and having more features, like generating 2D drawings directly out of 3D models (and 3D models from 2D drawings) with a single click.
SolidWorks uses a simpler "parametric" approach to modelling and assembling originally pioneered by Pro/Engineer.Very much like the high end packages, to create volume and modifications, SolidWorks employs a feature-based system that can be rolled back to previous states in case something must be changed or multiple configurations of the same part must be handled. To assemble components, mates are created, which define the relative positions of the components to each other.
In addition, SolidWorks has a hierarchy of putting all the things together, which can be traced as follows:
Probably the most popular use of SolidWorks is in this design role. When you choose this interface option, a window with hundreds of pre-designed parts and features appears. You can drag and drop these into machine designs.
Solid Edge is another mid-range package made by the company that produces the high end NX package, which produces parts, assemblies and drawings, it captures design intent through a combination of inference logic and decision-management concepts called STREAM technology. This technology reduces the number of steps required to perform certain kinds of tasks, such as constraining profiles with dimensions that can be directly edited in sketch mode.
Solid Edge is built on a foundation of core modeling and process workflows that help engineers design more rapidly by modeling parts more efficiently than other mid-range CAD systems.
Mid Range CAM Packages
EdgeCAM is a complete CAM software package for milling, turning, mill/turn, advanced freeform machining and solid modelling for both production machining and mould and die applications. EdgeCAM, provides full machine simulation capability, extending the verification and visualisation tools. Complete machine tools may be accurately modelled and their movement shown throughout the machining process.
EdgeCAM has always been an impressive system and much of the reason for that is that its developers, Pathtrace, saw the opportunity when the mid-range bandwagon started rolling and jumped on for the ride. It has the ability to directly read the native data formats of the major mainstream systems (and now Catia) means that data translation headaches are reduced. The ability to read native data formats gives them the ability to provide some very impressive automation tools. EdgeCAM is a very easy to use, easy to remember system which could be used by even the most casual user.
CAMWorks is the CAM package designed to work exclusively within the SolidWorks environment, it is a programming solution for milling and turning on the same machine tool, with machining cycles available for C-, Y-, and B-axis machining at compound angles and on the face, Inside and Outside Diameter of a part. CAMWorks main operations include automatic roughing, finishing, thread milling, and single point cycles plus all advanced 3-axis cycles. All machining operations are defined, calculated, and verified in the SolidWorks environment. CAMWorks integrates seamlessly into SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software.
The market leader of CAM packages is MasterCAM, this program includes capabilities for manufacturing modelling, 2- to 5-axis milling, 2- to 4-axis turning, mill-turning, holemaking, sheetmetal operations, post processing, and toolpath verification. MasterCAM includes a competitive manufacturing modeling capability.
Unlike all-purpose CAD packages, MasterCAM's geometry creation functions are developed specifically for modeling mechanical parts.
MasterCAM's user interface is more reminiscent of MS-DOS programs than modern Windows-compliant applications. MasterCAM has no command line, nearly all command input comes from the top toolbar or the main menu on the left of the display. Below the main menu are menu operations buttons, a secondary menu, and a prompt area. Even though the interface appears outdated, the screen arrangement is fairly logical and easy to read. It is robust and extremely easy to learn and use.
To identify the method and criteria for selecting one of these CAD Systems we should refer to the company details; Felix Technologies is a small engineering company who need a CAD package that has parametric control, accurate dimensioning and standard engineering drawings. The package also needs to include CNC simulation and machining data which can produce a full process plan.
Therefore, criteria for selection must include:-
- Ease of Use and Learning
- Features/Capabilities
- Parametric Control
- Accurate Dimensioning
- CNC Simulation
- CAD/CAM functionality
- Interoperability
- Value
In conclusion, after considering the selection criteria, it would seem economically viable to opt for a high end package that covers both CAD and CAM rather than going for 2 packages, therefore looking at the three high end packages reviewed above the one that is suggested for Felix Technologies would be NX, due to its CNC functionality, ease of learning and its simple parametric control, which may not be quite as good as Pro/Engineer but will suffice for a small engineering company such as this. It also offers slightly better value than the other high end packages. Its CNC simulation is simple to use and there is no need for conversion between CAD and CAM programs therefore reducing design time.