My university recently acquired a new 5-axis Haas VMC, unfortunately our current Cam software (surfcam 4.0) isn't really up to the challenge of 5-axis machining. In exchange for access to the machine the department has asked our FSAE team to design a few parts that require 5-axis machining and evaluate the several software packages. Eventually the chosen software will be made the primary CAM package for the Uni. We are evaluating CAD to cut time, quality of post processes, associativity with solid works, gouging of the finished part, and ease of use. Currently we are looking at Surfcam 5.0, mastercam, espirt, and solidcam.
Also the package must be able to do Wire EDM.
Please post if you have had any good or bad experiences with the packages we're looking at, or if you have a different package to suggest. I have read the other threads about this, but the most recent was in 2008, 2 years is a long time for this kind of software.
Thanks,
William
NCSU
Wolfpack MotorSports