In upFront.eZine this week: Autodesk talks to us about the HSMworks acquisition

In upFront.eZine issue #762 we have for your reading pleasure... 

1. Autodesk Talks About the HSM Acquisition 
   - Unique to HSMworks
   - New in HSMworks 2013
   - Why Autodesk Chose HSMworks
   - Q&A
   - What Ralph Grabowski Thinks

2. Out of the Inbox, and our other regular columns.

You can read all about the business of CAD at www.upfrontezine.com/2013/upf-762.htm

 

Comments

[Jon Banquer]

HSMWorks never had a clear vision for being truly different other than doing a better job with multi-core processors and using a distributed CAM server which never really caught on. By now every CAM program is staring to make use of all the cores in a multi-core processor for toolpaths, stock model, solid cut part simulation, etc.

Unfortunately HSMWorks, like most other CAM programs, makes horrible use of the information that a solid model contains. This means a user wastes tons of time on needless chaining and boundary creation for surfacing toolpath. In addition, HSMWorks doesn't keep constant track of a stock model for all machining operations.

I feel Carl Bass understands these issues and will make sure HSMWorks has a much better approach than it currently has. I think Autodesk purchased HSMWorks because it was very cheap and because they could take a very basic foundation missing a ton of basic functionality and mold it into what they want.

At this point, I wouldn't advise anyone to purchase HSMWorks. I would also advise a SolidWorks user who has purchased HSMWorks to keep their eyes open for better CADCAM options and switch as soon as possible. When I say better options, I mean a CAM program that keeps constant track of a stock model for all milling and lathe machining operations. Hopefully 2013 will finally show some progress in this area from others besides Siemens NX and Missler TopSolid CADCAM 7.

If Autodesk really had wanted a top rate CAM company with better technology, someone like Open Mind (Hypermill) would have been a far better choice than HSMWorks. There is simply no comparison between a program like HSMWorks that is missing so much basic functionality and Open Mind HyperMill.

Jon Banquer
CADCAM Technology Leaders group on LinkedIn

[Jon Banquer]

Not covered in the interview are a few critical issues for current SolidWorks users/HSMWorks users:

HSMWorks wasn't allowed to exhibit at last weeks SolidWorks World 2013. I understand that Autodesk/ HSMWorks held a user meeting the day after SolidWorks World 2013 ended.

SolidWorks also has stripped HSMWorks of SolidWorks Gold Partner status and even went a step further and removed HSMWorks from their CAM partner pages completely!

There are two chances of Autodesk/HSMWorks ever working smoothly with Dassault/SolidWorks: Slim and None.

Slim just left town.

Jon Banquer
CADCAM Technology Leaders group on LinkedIn