Recession Buster

Today’s economic climate has shops around the world working hard to make sure they get the most out of their existing equipment. Software has no exception. Just as a shop tries to make sure they get everything they can out of their machine tools, they are wise to take the time to fully explore the CAD/CAM software they currently use. Many shops will be pleasantly surprised at what they find.

A typical shop may use as little as 25% of their CAM software’s capabilities. Most CAM systems, like Mastercam, have a lot of unused power that customers may not even be aware of. New functions and better methods to program are just a few things that can get your shop producing more and getting it out the door faster, without investing in anything new when money is tight.

Let’s look at a simple example of a useful feature that may go unnoticed and unused. Mastercam has included powerful Feedrate Optimization for several years, but we found that many shops were unaware of it and therefore not using it. Feedrate Optimization dramatically speeds up machining by varying and maximizing the feedrate of your machine for specific cutting conditions. This, in turn saves time, tool wear, and money. By looking into this, shops are able to boost their bottom line by using the software they already own to a fuller extent.

Now is the time to dig into your software to see what else you can do with it. Ask your Reseller to show you other features in the software that you could be using or find a tutorial to go through that explains all the software’s functions. You could see productivity gains by doing this, and you are making the most out of your current investment.

Another option to get the most out of your current software is to get everyone in your shop training in the latest version of software. This will help ensure that they know the software’s full capabilities. This could allow you to get different work if your shop should need to diversify, and it will allow you to capitalize when the economy does pick up.

An important note: if you decide to take formal training, be sure you go with your shop’s projects in mind. This way, you can learn exactly what you need to know, and you might come across some ways that your shop could expand your work in the future.

Software Maintenance is another inexpensive way to ensure your shop has the latest software tools. Even a single feature or application in a Maintenance release that applies to you can pay for itself quickly.

And finally, it’s always wise to invest in a CAD/CAM package that can grow with your business. One element of Mastercam that our customers frequently cite is that Mastercam delivers a complete suite of manufacturing tools. We continue to be dedicated to this idea, as we are expanding our R&D department to ensure that shops worldwide will have the tools they’ll need in any economic climate.