BobCAD-CAM Integrations

SOLIDWORKS® 3D CAD solutions provide a user-friendly yet powerful array of resources that optimize the product development workflow, reduce costs, and improve quality. These resources empower users to harness the full potential of SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD in conjunction with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which acts as a cohesive cloud-based environment for product development. This integration allows for the rapid creation and collaboration on 3D designs online, thus enabling a faster time-to-market for new and innovative offerings. Beyond just designing intricate shapes and complex surfaces, the platform also supports the quick production and detailing of 2D drawings derived from 3D models, streamlining the process from design to manufacturing. By leveraging the leading 3D design software alongside a comprehensive suite of engineering tools, users gain access to a strong network of support from a dedicated community that encourages ongoing improvement and innovation. The adoption of these state-of-the-art tools can significantly enhance product design and improve overall operational efficiency, making them essential for modern engineering challenges. Such advancements not only benefit individual projects but also contribute to the overall growth and competitiveness of organizations in the industry.

Rhino provides an extensive array of features for the creation, modification, analysis, documentation, rendering, animation, and conversion of NURBS curves, surfaces, solids, subdivision geometry (SubD), point clouds, and polygon meshes. The only constraints regarding complexity, degree, or size are determined by the capabilities of your hardware. Its free-form 3D modeling tools compete with those in high-end software, allowing you to realize any design you can imagine. With the precision necessary for tasks ranging from designing and prototyping to engineering, analysis, and manufacturing a diverse selection of products—from aircraft components to intricate jewelry—Rhino guarantees compatibility with all your design, drafting, CAM, engineering, analysis, rendering, animation, and illustration needs. It can effectively read and repair complex meshes and detailed IGES files. The software is designed to be user-friendly, enabling you to focus on your design and visualization tasks without any distractions from the software itself. Remarkably efficient, it runs smoothly on standard laptops and does not require advanced hardware. Additionally, it acts as a core platform for a variety of specialized 3D applications, enhancing its functionality across numerous industries. This adaptability makes Rhino a vital resource not only for professionals but also for hobbyists and creative individuals pursuing their artistic visions. Its ability to streamline the design process while maintaining high-quality outputs solidifies its reputation as an essential tool in the realm of 3D modeling.

Predator CNC Editor stands out as a highly regarded CNC editing software available today. With its extensive array of features, it significantly enhances the efficiency of CNC operators, programmers, and machine tool operators alike. Despite its advanced capabilities, the software remains user-friendly. This makes Predator CNC Editor an excellent option for both small workshops and large-scale manufacturing facilities. Its versatility and ease of use make it a favored tool in the industry.

Since 1994, Predator Software has been at the forefront of automating manufacturing processes globally. Their pioneering software applications have garnered multiple awards, showcasing their innovative approach. As a prominent player in Industry 4.0, lean manufacturing, and industrial networking, Predator Software offers a comprehensive suite of solutions. Their SFC technology encompasses a range of capabilities, including CNC networking, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) monitoring, data collection, machine simulation and verification, tool management, and gage crib management. Additionally, they provide traveler management, CNC post-processing, flexible manufacturing systems, and robotic cell control software, demonstrating their commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and productivity in manufacturing environments. With a focus on continuous improvement, Predator Software is poised to drive the future of manufacturing technology.

Predator DNC software serves as a comprehensive networking solution designed to integrate a variety of industrial equipment, including CNC machines, robots, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), laser markers, dot peen markers, tool presetters, and test stands into a unified company network. This software facilitates the management of CNC programs, variables, offsets, parameters, PLC registers, and various production file types. Additionally, Predator DNC is compatible with over 50 industrial communication protocols, enabling efficient dripfeeding, downloading, and uploading through multiple interfaces such as parallel, RS-232, RS-422, Ethernet, and wireless Ethernet. Its versatility makes it an essential tool for enhancing productivity in manufacturing environments.

Predator PDM is an innovative Production Data Management software that eliminates paper processes by efficiently organizing and managing CNC Programs, Robot Programs, PLC Programs, CMM Programs, and safety protocols. Its capabilities extend to facilitating a paperless environment on the shop floor through seamless integration with systems like DNC, CNC Editor, Virtual CNC Editor, MDC, and Tracker. By providing a harmonious blend of flexibility, control, and accountability, Predator PDM simplifies compliance with international standards such as AS9100 and CFR21 Part 11. Quality assurance teams value this software for its effectiveness in maintaining quality priorities and managing changes, significantly reducing the risk of issues during FDA, FAA, and DOD audits. Additionally, manufacturing engineers and CNC programmers benefit daily from enhanced visualization of the manufacturing workflow and improved revision control of documents. With its comprehensive features, Predator PDM not only streamlines operations but also fosters a culture of quality and continuous improvement across the organization.

Predator MDC serves as an advanced software solution for monitoring machines in real-time. It seamlessly gathers, visualizes, and analyzes live manufacturing data from the shop floor, including metrics such as OEE, idle time, and machine downtime. By offering precise productivity metrics and key performance indicators, Predator MDC enhances manufacturing processes, enabling informed decision-making and operational improvements. This software keeps you updated on your manufacturing efficiency, evaluating machine utilization, worker productivity, and overall production rates. Additionally, Predator MDC facilitates the comparison of continuous improvement outcomes in lean manufacturing initiatives. It transforms real-time data into actionable insights across various metrics and KPIs, focusing on availability, quality, and performance. With just a few clicks, users can easily access detailed KPIs for individual machines as well as aggregated metrics for entire departments spanning multiple facilities, allowing for a comprehensive overview of manufacturing performance. This capability fosters a deeper understanding of operational strengths and areas that may need enhancement.

Predator RCM software serves as a versatile controller for robotic cells, scheduling tasks and managing robots to streamline the automation of a CNC machine cell. Additionally, it integrates with part markers, cleaners, and various manufacturing tools, enabling operations even in lights-out scenarios while promoting flexible manufacturing and total automation. The software efficiently assigns each robot to handle loading and unloading tasks for every CNC machine and CMM present in the cell, ensuring a hands-free transition from raw materials to finished goods. It supports an extensive range of pallets, tooling options, and RFID tags, making it adaptable to different manufacturing environments. This results in a notable increase in the efficiency of CNC machines while simultaneously minimizing the need for manual labor or operators. With the appropriate fixtures and robotic grippers, Predator RCM can tend to various machine types, which include not only CNC machines and CMMs but also laser marking devices, part washers, and other related manufacturing and inspection equipment. Ultimately, this software significantly enhances productivity and optimizes workflow across multiple manufacturing processes.

Predator Virtual CNC software enables users to simulate and validate the functions of CNC machines directly from their computers. By performing offline machining simulations, you can significantly reduce expenses, decrease waste from scrapped parts, prevent tool damage, and avoid machine malfunctions, all while enhancing safety and efficiency. The software accommodates a variety of machine setups, including standard vertical and horizontal configurations, as well as more intricate 2-5 axis machines. With its adaptable reverse post processors, users can create custom machine tool setups that are compatible with both VMCs and HMCs. It supports a range of operations, including milling, turning, and drilling cycles, in addition to advanced functionalities like subroutines, macros, variables, logic codes, and trigonometric codes. Designed for optimal performance in 3-axis surface milling, Predator Virtual CNC can manage extensive files without performance degradation. It achieves impressive processing speeds, reaching up to 3,000 blocks per minute while ensuring precision. Furthermore, the Predator Virtual CNC 5 Axis variant also includes support for 3+2 configurations, thereby enhancing its versatility for complex machining tasks. This capability underscores the software's commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for modern CNC operations.

Predator Touch HMI is an innovative Human Machine Interface that prioritizes touch interaction to supersede traditional shop floor barcode and QR code readers, as well as handheld terminals. Operators and machinists appreciate its intuitive design, while IT departments benefit from the straightforward process of developing and rolling out new applications. This interface is compatible with all versions of Windows, enabling seamless data collection in real-time, DNC operations, and the use of various applications with a contemporary touch interface. It allows for efficient tracking of machine downtimes and reasons for scrap. Predator Touch HMIs can enhance manufacturing processes across several platforms, including test stands, assembly lines, light towers, and MDC, making them a cost-effective alternative to pricier PLC plus HMI touchscreen solutions. Additionally, many Windows tablets, laptops, and PCs are rugged enough to function effectively in challenging manufacturing conditions. Users can also develop tailored CMM/inspection front-end client HMI applications suitable for a wide range of CMM and inspection software, further expanding the usability of Predator Touch HMI in various industrial settings. This adaptability ensures that manufacturers can optimize their operations while maintaining a user-friendly experience.

Cut3D is a dedicated toolpath generator designed specifically for CNC machining, optimized for 3D models created in applications like AutoCAD, Rhino3D, and 3D Studio, as well as those acquired through laser or touch probe scanning methods. The software features an intuitive interface that walks users through key processes such as loading models, resizing them, placing tabs to stabilize the workpiece, and producing both roughing and finishing toolpaths, accommodating single, double, or four-sided machining. Once the paths are calculated, users can preview the results and subsequently save the CNC code, ready for use on their machinery. To address 3D models that are too large for machining constraints such as gantry height or cutter length, Cut3D provides a 'slicing' feature that divides these models into smaller segments for easy machining, which can later be assembled. Additionally, the software includes strong import filters that work with most industry-standard mesh file formats to ensure flexibility in handling various models, along with standard postprocessors suitable for nearly all CNC machine control systems. This extensive functionality positions Cut3D as an essential tool for those seeking to perform complex machining tasks with efficiency and precision. Ultimately, the software's combination of user-friendliness and comprehensive features solidifies its place as an invaluable resource in the CNC machining industry.