MCAM Northwest

Free v9 Transition Workshop

PattiR — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:20:11 +0000

With the release of Mastercam X5 (scheduled for the last quarter of 2010) Version 9 will sunset and therefore will no longer be supported. You will not be able to update Mastercam without buying a new system at full price. By updating now, you avoid having to repurchase the software, which is an incredible savings of up to 70%!

MCAM Northwest wants to make your transition from Mastercam v9 an easy one.

Join us for our Free v9 Transition Workshop and let us show you the drawbacks of continuing to use v9 and how the dramatic advancements, ease, and new techniques that come with X4/X5 can help increase your productivity. We are offering this workshop on two separate days for your convenience.

This workshop will be held at our office:

MCAM Northwest, Inc.

19136 South Molalla Avenue

Oregon City, OR 97045

Click one of the links below to register for that workshop.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 – 8AM to 12Noon – Click here

Thursday, September 16, 2010 – 1PM to 5PM – Click here

Limited seating is available so register today! Each person that attends this workshop will receive a free two week subscription to Streamingteacher’s online Mastercam training.

Updating is not required to attend this workshop.

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With X5 you will benefit from features such as:

Dynamic milling strategies that can decrease cycle times 40% or more and increase tool life
New toolpaths take advantage of specialty cutting tools also decreasing cycle times
Automatic 2D Feature Based Machining for quick and efficient programming of 2D prismatic parts
All new 2D and 3D High Speed Toolpaths and cutting techniques to ensure your machine runs at its maximum capacity
Enhanced levels manager gives designers more control
All new multiaxis toolpaths with a streamlined interface
New customizable interface allows you to control your working environment
New “sketcher” with live entities for easy geometry creation
New multi-threading support lets you work in the foreground while Mastercam processes toolpaths in the background
New Dynamic plane creation offers a much more powerful and user-friendly way to translate geometry or create new planes
and much, much more

CNC Software, Inc. will “sunset” the v9 software with the release of Mastercam X5. This means:

Mastercam v9 will no longer be updatable
Mastercam v9 will no longer be upgradable
Support is no longer available for this product
Media replacement is no longer available for this product
Documentation is no longer available for this product

For more information – email trinal@mcamnw.com or call (503) 653-5332.

Autodesk Voucher Good on Training

PattiR — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:15:39 +0000

U.S. and Canadian customers who purchase qualifying Autodesk AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) and Manufacturing software during the promotion period and receive qualifying training or implementation services from authorized resellers are eligible for a voucher to be used towards training and/or implementation services.

To qualify for the voucher, customers must purchase qualifying Autodesk AEC or Manufacturing software (See the attached .pdf for details) from August 16, 2010 through October 31, 2010, and complete the training or implementation services by December 31, 2010. Each individual customer who is trained must complete a short on-line evaluation at the conclusion of the training.

How much is the customer voucher and is there a limit?

For 1-5 new licenses or upgrades purchased, the customer training/implementation voucher is US$200 per seat of qualifying software purchased. For 6 or more new licenses or upgrades purchased, the customer training/implementation voucher is US$300 per seat of qualifying software purchased. Customers who purchase one of the “premium” Manufacturing products listed below are eligible for US$2,500 per seat of qualifying software purchased. Customers are limited to one voucher per seat of qualifying software purchased with a maximum redeemable amount of US$10,000. Customers may use the voucher(s) toward training or implementation services to offset their cost.

AEC – $200 1-5 seats / $300 6+ seats

AutoCAD® Civil 3D®
Autodesk® Revit® Architecture Suite
Autodesk Revit MEP Suite
Autodesk Navisworks® (Manage & Simulate)
Autodesk Design Suite (Standard, Premium & Advanced)
AutoCAD Architecture
AutoCAD MEP
AutoCAD Map 3D
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Visualization Suite
AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite
Autodesk Revit Structure
Autodesk Revit Architecture
AutoCAD P&ID
AutoCAD Plant 3D
Autodesk Plant Design Suite (Advanced & Premium)

MFG – $200 1-5 seats / $300 6+ seats

AutoCAD Inventor® Suite
AutoCAD Inventor Professional Suite
AutoCAD Inventor Simulation Suite
AutoCAD Inventor Routed Systems Suite
AutoCAD Inventor Tooling Suite
AutoCAD Mechanical
AutoCAD Electrical
Autodesk Inventor Publisher
AutoCAD Inventor LT™ Suite (5 seat minimum purchase required )
Autodesk Vault Workgroup (5 seat minimum purchase required)
Autodesk Vault Collaboration (5 seat minimum purchase required)
Autodesk Vault Professional
Autodesk Alias® Design / Alias Design® for Inventor
Autodesk Design Suite (Standard, Premium & Advanced)
Autodesk Algor Simulation
Autodesk Factory Design Suite Premium

Premium Voucher offer available – $2500/seat

Autodesk Factory Design Suite Advanced
Autodesk Moldflow Adviser (Advanced & Manufacturing)
Autodesk Moldflow Insight (Basic, Performance, & Advanced)
Autodesk Algor Simulation (CFD, MES, & Pro)
Autodesk Alias Surface
Autodesk Alias Automotive

For details download the Training Voucher .pdf – CLICK HERE

or contact us by email at bobbit@mcamnw.com or call (503) 653-5332

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Rebate Offers

PattiR — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:41:41 +0000

AutoCAD New Seat Rebate – $300 rebate on New Seat purchase or $400 rebate when purchased with Windows 7

Autodesk, Inc. works closely with Microsoft Corporation to help ensure that Autodesk applications provide the functionality you may require, regardless of the operating system. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of AutoCAD 2011 software is supported on all available Microsoft operating systems.

AutoCAD 2011 is specifically optimized for Windows 7, leveraging new Live Taskbar Preview functionality. AutoCAD 2011 has earned the “compatible with Windows 7″ logo from Microsoft, indicating that it has been successfully tested on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7.

Save $300 by Mail-in Rebate on new commercial licenses of AutoCAD 2011 software
Save $400 by Mail-in Rebate on new commercial licenses of AutoCAD 2011 when purchased with Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, or Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate.

AutoCAD LT New Seat Rebate – $200 rebate on New Seat purchase or $300 rebate when purchased with Windows 7

AutoCAD LT 2011 software and Windows 7 Professional operating system deliver proven productivity enhancements to help you focus on what really matters; your business. They work the way you want, so you can get more done, faster, while providing greater security for your business.

Save $200 by Mail-in Rebate on new commerical licenses of AutoCAD LT 2011 software
Save $300 by Mail-in Rebate on new commercial licenses of AutoCAD LT 2011 when purchased with Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, or Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate

Offers valid August 16, 2010, through October 17, 2010. Terms & Conditions apply. Customers must submit an online rebate request and provide mail in proof of license purchase documentation.

This offer is limited to a maximum of five (5) rebates total per invoice address.

To download the AutoCAD Rebate FAQ – CLICK HERE

To download the AutoCAD LT Rebate FAQ – CLICK HERE

To get a quote or if you have any questions email us at sales@mcamnw.com or call (503) 653-5332

See what Desktop Engineering has to say about Portable CMM’s

PattiR — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:02:40 +0000

Portable CMMs Save Time

Discover how rapid shop floor inspection makes quick work of quality.

Click here to visit DE Technology for Design Engineering’s website and read their article about Portable coordinate measurement machines and how Master3Dgage can be used to realize greater gains without increasing staff in the quality control department.

Master3DGage PCMM for 3D inspection

PattiR — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:56:41 +0000

Master3DGage’s handy, quick-mount CMM system allows easy setup for on-demand measurement and inspections anywhere on the shop floor. Use Master3DGage™ right on your machine to verify parts quickly, in process, without removing or repositioning them.

Master3DGage™ makes any 3D inspection easy

Finish typical inspections, such as blueprint, in-process, incoming, first article and final inspections, quickly—with surprising ease and accuracy. Measurement reports are generated automatically, in industry standard formats, so you can know immediately whether parts are in or out of tolerance.

See Master3DGage in action:

Align, Inspect, Report—simple, repeatable three-step process

Align: Quickly automate alignment by picking targets on CAD features (datums).
Run the routine by probing each target on the part. The Master3DGage™ software walks you through the process with simple, step-by-step instructions.

Inspect: Inspect and view in real time by manually probing or by following automated inspection plans. Easily measure features from precise single points to point clouds. Powerful software technology displays variance between the 3D model and the part.

Report: Using the 3D CAD model as the nominal definition, the system quickly generates custom reports in industry standard formats, including GD&T constraints and color deviation maps, for clear, practical analysis.

No metrology experience needed

With Master3DGage™, simplicity and ease of use are designed right in, so that even those with little or no metrology experience can get up to speed quickly. Controls and interface are easy and straightforward, so users spend less time scrolling through screens and more time making quality parts.

Ultra–accurate, six-axis metrology for precise 3D inspections

Master3DGage™ features an integrated Hexagon Metrology, six-axis CMM—among the world’s most accurate—offering a remarkable measuring volume of just 1.2m. This feature provides superior dimensional control of parts, tooling, molds, castings and more.

Powered by Verisurf’s world-class, model-based software, Master3DGage™ maintains precise digital workflow, from the start of your inspection to the end. The ability to precisely pinpoint and resolve quality issues in real time helps reduce scrap, improve efficiency and boost the productivity of every machine.

Bottom line? With the new Master3DGage™ you’ll do more work, with less rework—because both process and results are repeatable, even during high-volume production.

Register for one of the following Online Webinars:

We invite you to the Master3DGage Webinar that will introduce you to the new affordable, portable Master3DGage CMM designed for rapid machine shop inspection.

Aug 26, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT

Download the Master3DGage™ PDF and White-paper

Productivity-minded machine shops seeking an affordable, best-in-class CMM will find everything they need in Master3DGage. Powered by Verisurf’s industry-leading inspection software.

Inventor for Plastics Manufacturing

PattiR — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:57:32 +0000

Create manufacturable plastic products – effortlessly!

Are you designing plastic products and need to ensure they’re ready for manufacturing? Are you struggling to leverage industrial design data in your engineering software?

Radically comprehensive design tools
Translate industrial designs into manufacturable plastic components – easily. Get maximum flexibility by combining native Inventor geometry with exterior surface models designed with Autodesk® Alias® Products. The associative relationship between Autodesk Alias and Inventor reduces time to market by allowing engineers to start detailed designs earlier. Use Inventor to update complex geometries smoothly with functional plastic features and rule-based fillets. Powerful multibody workflows simplify the design of high-quality molded part models. Embark on detail design – yet retain the flexibility to incorporate ongoing revisions.

See Autodesk Inventor in action
Discover how easy it is to get your plastic design right before manufacturing with a complete solution for plastic product design, including industrial design, mechanical engineering, simulation, and automated injection molding tool design. Watch the Autodesk Inventor Plastic Product Design screencast and see how Autodesk Inventor can take your plastic product design beyond 3D to Digital Prototyping.

Mastercam – Sunset of v9

PattiR — Tue, 18 May 2010 17:36:59 +0000

With the release of Mastercam X5 Version 9 will no longer be supported and you will not be able to update without buying at full price. By updating now, you avoid having to repurchase the software, an incredible savings of up to 70%!

In addition: V9 Mill Level 3 or Router Pro customers that update and want to keep their Multiaxis functionality can purchase a new Multiaxis add-on at 50% off* retail price. Limit one Multiaxis add-on per Mill L3 or Router Pro license that updates.

Some shops are still using Mastercam Version 9, which released almost a full decade ago. While it still gets the job done, if you are one of these shops, you are missing out on dramatic advancements, ease, and new techniques that weren’t available then. Just a few of the latest features include:

Dramatically faster solids programming with Feature Based Machining.
Better finish and longer tool life with new High Speed Toolpaths
The power to open virtually any CAD file, including Solidworks files complete with history.
Dozens of powerful new features across the entire Mastercam suite.

These offers will expire December 31, 2010.

What does it mean when a Mastercam product “sunsets”?

Mastercam v9 will no longer be updatable
Mastercam v9 will no longer be upgradable
No support will be available for this product
No media replacement will be available for this product

With active maintenance you will receive Mastercam X5 when it is released, and all maintenance updates and major releases available at no additional cost.

For a Quote – email trinal@mcamnw.com or call (503) 653-5332.

See the Mastercam v9 – X5 Update video

* Maintenance is required and is regular price. These promotions are for V9 products only.

To get more information on Mastercam Maintenance -� CLICK HERE

Streamingteacher Tech Tips for Mastercam X4

mcamnw — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:55:07 +0000

Do you have questions regarding installing or configuring X4?
Do you know the best way to set up your PC and graphics for X4?
Are you migrating from an earlier version and want to know which update options to use?

The free tech tips channel providesd you with roughly 45 minutes of videos that can help you with your X4 installation.

Access Streamingteachers free tech tips for X4 – CLICK HERE

Mastercam X4 – MU3 Update

mcamnw — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:54:48 +0000

X4 Maintenance Update 3 Product Release - Third update to Mastercam X4 – Web Download – Self-Extracting EXE mastercamx4-mu3-web.exe 02/01/10 286MB

NOTES:
Mastercam X4 MU3 is a cumulative installation that contains all of the bug fixes in X4 MU1/MU2 and more. All of the translators have also been updated to the 2010 versions. This must be installed on top of Mastercam X4 or X4 MU1 or X4 MU2. If X4 MU1 or MU2 is already installed on a system, the “Mastercam X4 MU1 (or MU2)” entry in Add / Remove Programs (Programs and Features in Windows™ Vista and 7) will be replaced with the MU3 entry. If MU3 is uninstalled, your Mastercam version will be rolled back to X4.

You must have maintenance through 12-31-09 to run X4 MU3. The Mastercam.exe version number is 13.3.0.22.

Remember, all X4 third-party add-ons or CHooks must to be rebuilt with a Mastercam X4 MU SDK. Please contact your vendor for updated versions of these applications.

To install:
Click on the mastercamx4-mu3-web.exe link and save it to your computer.
After the download is complete, double click on the *.exe to begin the installation.
Follow the installation instructions.

Hardware for Mastercam X4

mcamnw — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:52:43 +0000

This is the most common question within the past few weeks, “what hardware do you recommend to run Mastercam?” I won’t even mention minimum hardware requirements because nobody asks “what is the least I can get away with” and as far as I can imagine, there is no maximum. So here I will attempt to give you just a common sense guideline for selecting a new PC.
Quality hardware: Purchase from a company that has a good reputation for customer service. Intel or AMD, doesn’t seem to matter much as far as I can tell.
Operating System: Win7, unless you want to stay in the pool of XP-PRO for
administrative reasons. Since Win7 is out I would recommend you skip Vista.
Graphics: NVidia 512mb minimum – do not spend a pile of money here.
Price is not proportionate to performance. For example, a $200 GeForce card
runs nearly as well as a much more expensive Quadro in my opinion for the
way that Mastercam utilizes the card and for the way that most users work in
Mastercam. The gaming market has helped us all here, driving down the price of graphics performance.
Memory: 4gb RAM or more
Processor: The more cores, the better. the HST toolpaths in Mastercam will process proportionately faster, especially on regen. Multi-Processor support is not part of Mastercam at this point, but may be in the future.
BACKUP System: Make sure you have a bullet-proof backup system in place, and shadow copies set up, your IT person can help with that. This way, you can roll back files easily. To test this, try saving a file, change it, save over the top, now ask for the last version back. it should be quick and easy.

Feel free to post your comments on this one.