CAM Software - Cam Software

A sample of the parts made in our facility with the software we sell.

Instead of showing a bunch of screenshots of CAD models and toolpaths, here are some pics of parts programmed and completed with SprutCAM so you can see what you can actually expect to see come off your machine with a little experience.


Precision, precision, precision. SprutCAM 4.0 (Original CAD models with Solidworks, updated models are Alibre Design)	SprutCAM 2007

All of the insert molds for this complex embedded assembly were programmed with SprutCAM 4.0 CAD models with Alibre Design	Angular surface slope options are a great feature of SprutCAM to help with compound radii. SprutCAM 4.0 CAD model created with Alibre Design.


Alibre Design & SprutCAM 2007.

Welcome to RSW's SprutCAM pages.

RSW Products, Inc. sells and supports Sprutcam CAM and Alibre CAM software.  For those of you who have no CAM experience whatsoever, and are pulling your hair out trying to decide what is best for you, here are a couple of paragraphs you might find 'familiar' and encouraging.

Please feel free to contact us anytime if you have questions.
832-594-1195 ask for Willy
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We are basically an engineering and custom manufacturing facility with a fairly extensive line of our own aircraft products. We used to do our prototyping and then farm out our production work but over the years it became increasingly more difficult to hold quality and schedules together with outside vendors so we gradually decided to do our own day to day production. We had about a million years of 3D CAD experience but no CAM experience.

The first thing we figured out when looking at CAM products was that there was an overwhelming amount of stuff out there, it was expensive or lacked capability, and none of the resellers knew much more about it then we did! Even though CAM is really not all that complicated, if you start out knowing absolutely nothing then it is still quite a headache to get started. To make a long story short, we went through about four or five different programs and learned the hard way. No matter how much or little money you spend, all the programs have their pros and cons. At the end of the day you have to do your homework and try to pick the best package for your needs and budget, then just sit down and learn how to use it.  Like everything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it.

We finally settled on Sprutcam for several reasons.

1. Sprutcam was a full-time rendered package and back when we were getting started this was still an 'option' (translated to =big$$$) on many pricier systems. We really needed this option as wireframe editors are too fatiguing to work with on complex geometry. Today, most systems work this way so this is not as big a perk anymore.

2. Price. Sprutcam was simply far less expensive than any other comparable product. Many years later this still holds true. Sprutcam is still on the upper end of capability, and the lower end of cost. Lots o' bang for your buck.

3. Ease of use. As I said earlier, nothing is completely easy when you have no idea whatsoever what you are doing, but overall, Sprutcam is definitely a package that is relatively easy to use. When we considered ease of use vs. price vs. capability, SprutCAM came in first in our estimation. Sure, there are a couple of programs out there that are easier, but they also lack a lot of capability.

We quickly became very comfortable with the program and have been using it ever since. Over the years we have recommended Sprutcam freely, and helped a number of new users get their feet wet. And that is how we find ourselves a Sprutcam distributor.

Through our affiliation with the Sprutcam product we also started using a new "upstart" CAD program called Alibre Design. Now with CAD, we were no bunnies as we have been using full featured CAD programs from the beginning of time. We have run the entire circuit including many of the "biggies" such as Autocad and Solidworks. Because of lousy uncaring resellers we finally found ourselves joining the growing ranks of Alibre Design users. Now do not get me wrong, companies like Solidworks have a fine product, it is just that in many cases it is poorly supported and unaccessable.

Alibre has really made huge advances in the past few years and it has become a very serious product that delivers great capability for much less money. In my opinion it was the lack of personal touch from the big companies that allowed Alibre a crack in the door.

Alibre has integrated their own CAM product which is based off of the Mecsoft Visual Mill engine and this is another program which has dramatically improved over the past few years. Here at RSW we have been using this software for some time now, and have found it to be a very good product and still quite cost effective.

The RSW Team.

What you should do before buying software from anyone:

Decide what you want the software to do for you and talk to several people who have experience with CAD/CAM. Do not buy anything until you properly understand what you need.
Shop around and see what you get for your money. Don't buy anything on impulse or in a hurry. You might be sorry!
Beware of companies that do not let you try a FULL version of their software before you buy. This means you want to deal with companies who actually let you generate posts and actually cut parts. It means they are confident in their products.
Once you have picked out a few products you are interested in, make sure to send the company/reseller emails and or make phone calls asking them questions. This is a great way to find out who is responsive and supportive. If communication before a sale is not too good, imagine what it will be like after they got your money!

Why you should consider Sprutcam for your machining needs:

Sprutcam provides complete solutions for advanced milling and turning CNC machining. There are no hidden traps like having to buy new modules for different operations.
Sprutcam is very cost effective compared to other software with the same capabilities.
With full time rendering and a visual based interfaced, most new users can program basic parts in just a couple of hours with a little bit of help. As you gain more experience and spend more time in the application there are really no limitations to what you can machine with Sprutcam. It is difficult to 'outgrow' Sprutcam.

Why you should purchase Sprutcam from RSW:

Unlike most resellers, RSW has been using Sprutcam daily in our own manufacturing facility for many years so we can actually support what we sell. Imagine that!
When you purchase Sprutcam through RSW we will help you program your first part step by step to introduce you to the program, using your own part!
RSW sells at fair prices. The markup that some resellers sell at is just plain ridiculous. Just make sure you get a quote from us before you buy! The difference can be huge.

Why you should consider Alibre CAD/CAM, and purchase from RSW.

Unless you are a large company with network CAD requirements, Alibre CAD products are simply the best for the money, period. No other product even comes close.

Alibre provides top notch accessible customer support.

While Alibre can provide you with great technical support, your RSW reseller can provide you with excellent application and modeling support for tough projects and make sure you are headed in the right direction. We use this software ourselves and we know how to think 'outside the box'!

A look at Sprutcam

Which software do you need?

Sprutcam v2007 is for multi axis CNC turning and milling operations.

Sprutcam v4 is for multi axis CNC milling operations.

NCTuner is for simulation and checking of NC toolpaths. (included in most versions)

Here is a comparison chart at the Sprut Technology web site: http://www.sprutcam.com/Products/SprutCAM

Complete information about Sprutcam can be found at the Sprut Technology home page.
http://www.sprutcam.com/

If you are interested in purchasing Sprutcam please call or email us at RSW for the best support in North America.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
832-594-1195 Willy Schweis

Sprutcam 4 screenshot of an aircraft part we manufacture every day at RSW.

Sprutcam 2007 screenshot. 2007 adds lathe programming as well as some outstanding visibility and control features.