Choosing 3D package... need help

[christo76]

My company had decided to look at possible upgrades to our CAD system. We have no biases towards one program or another.

We
are currently using Autocad Mechanical, version 2002 through 2007.

We do not do any real complex designs or
surfacing. Primarily it is large steel/aluminum assemblies, comprised
of large, thick plates machined to fairly high accuracies (flatness and
perp. specs as low as .001-.002" over 7'), with multiple shafts and
rolls. Basically converting machinery. With sheet metal enclosures.

Some images can be seen here, if that helps visualize (paper/web converting machinery): http://www.faustel.com/products.cfm?id=1
http://www.faustel.com/products.cfm?id=3

I figure the top 3 choices for us would be Pro/E, SolidWorks, Inventor. Followed closely by, staying with what we have...

After
searching the net heavily for reviews and comparisons I have found this
site, and its users to be extremely well versed in all these software
packages and I am hoping that you can help me to decide, or at least
bring up the best parts of each package.


The biggest factors would be: ease of use/training, cost (upfront and maintenance), which ones may take more time now and which will save the most time down the road. Also any input on which work better as parts libraries and updating assemblies after part modifications.

Thanks for any help on any or all of the areas...

 

[christo76]

Has no one here used multiple 3D packages enough to feel comfortable giving an opinion?

We have the ability to try a couple of the packages, but not all. And even with trying them, there is no way we can judge which one would be easier for our type of work 3 months down the road, much less 3 years.

Basically I would like to know if one would be better for the enclosures we make. Is one better for the large assemblies and modeling the components faster? Which ones can aide in other engineering tasks, like FEA on the shafts and plates so we can save on steel?

 

[looslib]

You expect an answer in less than a day?


Pro/E will be more expensive then the others.


The complexity of your assemblies and the number of components will affect your choice. Also if you do your own manufacturing of the parts.


High-end 3D solid modelers include CAM software directly integrated into the package. Choices would be UGS NX, Pro/E Wildfire or CATIA V5. These will cost more than the others.


Mid-range 3D solid modelers can do the CAD side, but you will need to purchase another package for the CAM side. SolidWorks, Solid Edge and Inventor are the leading products.


Check out what others in your industry use. What do other companies in your area use. A local user group can be a plus. Try to get the vendors to give you 30-60 day trial licenses so you can model your parts and assemblies to see how you like the software.

 

[dr_gallup]

With the current pricing on WildFire Foundation it is the same or cheaper than the midrange packages for the same functionality. Advanced extensions & manufacturing capabilities significantly increase cost. Look at your maintenance costs too as these can really add up.

You also have to decide what you want to do with existing data. Converting it can be very time consuming and expensive. Many companies end up running multiple systems rather than go through the pain of converting legacy data.

One of the main drivers is customer requirements. If you have to deliver drawings in a certain format it is ten times better to create everything in that format.

Everyone here obviously thinks Pro/E is better than those other packages.

 

[jnoval]

I would select ProE. ProE is not difficult to learn today. In old days before release 19, it was more difficult.


But anyway do never try to make saving on training and this you can learn by yourself. The cost for training is a big saving in time.


Look at this:


[url]http://www.mcadcentral.com/proe/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32 884[/url]


and this:


[url]http://www.mcadcentral.com/proe/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27 621&PN=5[/url]


Many solidworks users would select ProE.

 

[slashct]

One reason the company I used to work for Chose ProE at the time was that we were awarded a majpr contract that required the files to be delivered in ProE. Don't forget thepeople that you may do work for or suppliers, etc. It is important part of the chain. Solidworks tells everyone that it can bring inProE fileswhich is a farce, theyget imported as dumb solids.
I would evaulate the 3 you mentioned, PTC will actuallygive you trial licenses as well dobenchmarking for you with your models, not sure about the others. IF cost is a concern stay away fromUG, that will run you a ton. The basic ProE licenses are not bad at all, and the cost on the maintenance is better than Solidworks.If you are large enough PTC will work on the cost with you, esp if youmention Solidworks.