SolidWorks CAM Reviews

“Easy to get the hang of

Pros

It is one of the most convenient systems out there. It's simple to pick up and even someone without experience can become productive very quickly now.

Cons

Personally, I don't see many flaws. The only constraint I notice is that it currently struggles to produce very complex parts as efficiently as Catia or MasterCAM do.

“Simple to create 3D drawings

Pros

During my years as an engineer it has gotten me through countless projects. What I really appreciate are the wide range of add-ons and how simple it is to create detailed 3D drawings.

Cons

I've noticed it's quite demanding on system resources so I typically need fairly powerful hardware to get it to run smoothly.

“Helps create detailed 3D drawings

Pros

The 3D features stand out for me. After working in various other drafting programs, I find creating 3D drawings here noticeably easier and more thorough.

Cons

The panes feel overly rigid and inflexible.

“Essential for manufacturing firms

Pros

I feel that every manufacturing firm requires this software to model the production steps once CAD and the initial simulation are finished. We end up using the identical CAD model for CAM as well and I appreciate how simple it is to integrate with SolidWorks.

Cons

When importing a CAD model into SolidWorks CAM, the orientation may become an issue. Therefore, it's important to ensure that the carrier model is correctly oriented before starting operations.

“Rendering gives great results

Pros

When we render parts in it, they look much more attractive and we can even simulate and run a part.

Cons

I find the software's pricing to be so high that a typical user can't afford it.

“Saved me a lot of time

Pros

Back in my second year of engineering, I used this add-on and found that getting started with it really improves compatibility between the design and manufacturing stages. It hooks into all the SolidWorks CAD tools and lets me see the manufacturing perspective right while I design. On top of that it offers advanced machining capabilities and almost feels like a magic wand when setting up operations. It's an excellent solution for manufacturing firms and has saved me a significant amount of time.

Cons

It isn't exactly cheap, you need to pay a fairly large sum to license it, although there is a trial available to test it out. Also, it demands a fairly powerful computer setup and I've noticed it can sometimes crash.

“Amazing collision detection feature

Pros

I really appreciate the automatic interference and collision detection, it works brilliantly. The program is simple to use and I'm a fan of how the toolpath speed adjusts around the model's corners.

Cons

On the downside, it can crash from time to time particularly with complicated geometry. What also frustrates me is that it auto-corrects drawings after I've manually entered every dimension.

“Top choice for CAM industry

Pros

When people think about the CAM industry, this program is one of the first names that comes to mind. As is widely known solidWorks products are really simple to understand and extremely useful for beginners. There are tons of tools included which lets me set up operations and run them quite smoothly. A major benefit is the wealth of online tutorials. I can ask anyone for help when I'm stuck or just watch a video.

Cons

The program is a bit expensive if you plan to purchase it for a company which I felt was a drawback. I only tested it through my university last semester, though and it does offer a 30-day trial period so I could explore its features without committing to a full purchase.

“Feature-based CAM software

Pros

I've found it to be a feature-based CAM tool that's integrated directly into SOLIDWORKS and I think it's very approachable. The interface is simple so first-time users like me can pick up sketching and drawing with minimal effort.

Cons

Occasionally I experience slow loading times and at times the program doesn't behave correctly or stops working as expected.

“Easy to understand

Pros

It is really simple to get started with. As someone new, I was able to learn the basics of drawing quickly and without much effort.

Cons

While it's generally simple, I often run into issues where the program's over-eager auto-correction changes my sketches in ways that disrupt my intended design.

“Ease of making 3D models

Pros

I find it really simple to create 3D models for multi-axis CNC machining.

Cons

On my setup, the software's large size causes the system to hang so I can't run it on lower-spec or underpowered PCs.

“Useful stress analysis tools

Pros

When I'm using SolidWorks, it lets me rapidly and efficiently create individual parts or full assemblies and it consistently reacts to how those components will perform inside the mechanical system they're designed for. What I really appreciate is the suite of stress analysis tools, I can run simulations on my models to pinpoint weak or highly stressed areas which helps me foresee how components will behave under load and catch potential failure points well before anything goes to manufacturing.

Cons

Over the years I have been working with this software, I haven't run into any real issues. Each annual release seems to address whatever shortcomings the prior version might have had and I find the updates genuinely improve usability and fix problems effectively so my workflow stays smooth.

“Lets me design my own parts

Pros

What I appreciate about it is that I can design my own parts, assign their features and immediately check how they fit into my project. I can also quickly turn a drawing into a sketch and I find generating a BOM simple and easy.

Cons

It needs a lot of RAM and it causes my computer to run slowly.

“Solid tool

Pros

It is very useful for designing products and for producing G-code for my CNC machine and 3D printer.

Cons

On older computers I sometimes notice it runs slowly. However, I still think it's a very powerful tool overall.

“Wide range of features

Pros

Thanks to this program I ended up winning my university's best project award. I used it to design and fabricate a cold-chain box meant to transport vaccines and its extensive feature set and variety of options made the whole process possible. There are so many capabilities this tool brings to the table.

Cons

The one thing that bothered me about this software was its user interface. Aside from that flaw, I was pleased with everything else it offered.

“Recommended!

Pros

As someone working in R&D, I find this to be an excellent tool for companies like mine. It noticeably cuts down the time required to set up or modify parts. If you're running CNC machines, I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

Cons

I miss an adaptive clearing strategy that would remove the bulk of the excess material.

“Can be slow

Pros

Working as an engineer and software developer, I need tools that are simple and practical for daily use. What appeals to me about it is how user-friendly it is, with plenty of familiar tools you can use without having to sit through tutorial videos.

Cons

The application can be sluggish at times, even on powerful machines so performance sometimes lags despite having a fast, high-end computer for processing tasks.

“User-friendly software

Pros

The software is unbelievably easy and user-friendly to use and I used it to design a complete prosthetic arm for an amputee from a country that lacked affordable options. The end result was a high-quality prosthesis that fit the patient as I had anticipated.

Cons

My only real drawback is that it demands machines with very large amounts of RAM, otherwise I notice substantial lag whenever I rotate 3D models or switch to different views which interrupts my workflow.

“Works well for me

Pros

The CAM module plugs directly into SolidWorks CAD and performs really well. When I update the CAD model, the CAM toolpaths get recalculated automatically and the entire workflow feels simple and easy to use.

Cons

Honestly, I find the module quite expensive. I wish they would lower the price or provide a cloud-based option that students and professionals could access more affordably.