Companies are paying too much for CAD/CAM

The message from Schott Systeme GmbH at this years EuroMold exhibition will be that companies are paying too much for CAD/CAM, and that they underestimate the ongoing cost of owning such software.

Are companies calculating the actual cost of 'owning' CAD/CAM ? The message from German software developer Schott Systeme GmbH at this years EuroMold exhibition will be that companies are paying too much for CAD/CAM, and that they greatly underestimate the ongoing cost of owning such software.

Schott Systeme cite a good example, that of last years EuroMold Golden Award winner Jacob Kunststofftechnik GmbH.

As a preferred supplier for many prestige automotive companies, Jacob have been a user of Schott Systeme's CAD/CAM software 'Pictures by PC' for around 15 years now.

With approximately 12 seats of the software, the initial purchase price was and still is a major factor.

However with Schott Systeme keeping below the 10,000 euro barrier for complete 2D and 3D CAD/CAM, Jacob have a relatively inexpensive solution that is powerful enough to import, repair and machine complex automotive surface models on a daily basis.

The initial cost is only the beginning though, with Schott Systeme pointing to the hidden costs associated with owning such software.

With most CAD/CAM software companies having a support/maintenance charge of between 15 and 20% of the original software cost, per seat, per year, try calculating what the true cost over a period such as 15 years is.

However with Schott Systeme todate not charging for yearly support and maintenance, it is not surprising to learn that Jacob are one of the most competative companies in their field.

Even hidden costs such as machine post processors are removed, with the company supplying 3 axis and 3+2 axis milling post processors free of charge.

It also remains true that one of the biggest revenue earners for CAD/CAM companies is the sale of training.

Although in house training is relavent, Schott Systeme now supplements this with a range of free E-Learning projects based on 'real world' tasks.

The result is raising productivity for no extra cost.

Last years exhibition saw the launch of their 5 axis simultaneous and wireEDM machining modules.

This year sees the launch of new generation CAM for HSM and optimised machining methods.

Combining the low cost with high functionality, it will be interesting to see how this solution will shake up the CAD/CAM areana.

Schott Systeme at EuroMold - Hall 8 Stand E56 www.schott-systeme.com.

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