CNC Punch-Press Programming Software

While I have Built Computers from Scratch in The Olden Days,  Know several Programming Languages,  and have used various Computers for 34 years,  I do Not consider myself to be any kind of an Expert on CNC Programming,  as this is a Speciality that one needs to do on a Daily Basis to become and remain Proficient.

The Purpose of this Web Page is to Introduce the Newcomer to General Current Practices in

CNC Fabrication Programming,  and then Both Newcomer & Experienced User can use the

Hot-Links Listed Below to gather more Information from the Software Venders  themselves.

Programming Software varies greatly from vender to vender,  and their usage varies greatly also.

Some are Simple & Well-Integrated,  while others are Complex,  and perhaps more Powerful,

with many Features that may use different Program  "Modules"  (such as Un-Folding, Optimization, and Part-Nesting)  that you have to Process your Part Program through.

Different Software Packages work in Different Ways But,  In General,  you First have to CAD-Up  (Part-Creation.  Design, Draw, and Dimension)  your Part in 2D or 3D,  and generate a File of this Information.   This can be done using your Programming Software Package itself.  

Or, a Cad-File may have already have been created by your own Engineers,  or supplied to you by your Customer's Engineers who used something like AutoCAD or SolidWorks.   Their File would then be Imported into your Programming Package for further work & editing.

The Cad-File would be Unfolded if it were a 3D File,  into a 2D Flat File,  then it would be Reworked & Edited using criteria on the Machine & Process to be used, Tools & Tool-Paths,  Workclamp Gripping Placements, Etc.,  Etc. into a Source-Code File.

This Source-Code File is then run through a Machine Specific Postprocessor Program that converts it in to a NC-Run File  (G-Code)  for the Specific Machine that you plan to run it on.  

You then Download it your Machine, and Run your Parts.

Postprocessor's are written by your Software Package Vendor Specifically for Your Machines.

They Taylor the Code to work on your Machine,  with it's particular Turret, Table-Size, CNC Control,  Code-Set,  Features like Auto-Index,  etc.    If you have Multiple Machines,  like a Strippit Punch,  an Amada Punch,  and a Mazak Laser,  you could purchase 3 Postprocessor's,  each Custom Set-Up to make the correct NC Code for 1 of Your Machines.

Then you take your Original Source Code,  run it through your 3 Postprocessor's,  to generate the NC-Files (G-Code) and make the same Part on any of your 3 different Machines.

Again,  as the above procedures vary by Vendor and even by the Package  (some vendors offer different versions and levels of Software)  you need to Evaluate them yourself to determine what suits your particular needs.

Contact vendors,  most will provide free Demo Programs & Instructional Tapes, DVD's,  and Downloads.   Most have traveling salesman that can be scheduled to stop in to provide a Live Demo of their Programs.

Software is Quite Portable,  many Software Companies are based in another Country.   As long as they have a Office or Distributor providing Good Support in your Country,  this should not be a big concern.    As with your Machines,  Service & Technical Support is extremely important,  make sure it is available and will be there when you need it.

While I may have some comments for some of them,  I will make no recommendations.  

Here,  in Alphabetical Order,  are some of the Independent Software Companies & other Resources for Sheetmetal Punch Fabrication;

Computes Spa,  based in Italy,  has a Suite of various Fabrication Software Solutions.   They also have a Office in Schaumburg, IL.

Lantek,  based in Spain,  has a large suit of Software solutions. Little known,  is that Lantek also Repackages their Software for several OEM Manufactures.   LVD Strippit's "CadMan" Software is really Lantek.

Metamation,  based in Reno NV,  has MetaCam which seems to be a well integrated Suit of Fab Software.

Perhaps the oldest of the Programming Software Companies,  Merry Mechanization, based in Sunny Florida,  has been around since 1979,  and specializes in Punching Software.

Metalix,  based in Israel,  offers cncKad, a integrated suit of Fab Software.

SigmaTEK,  located in Cincinnati Ohio,  has several Programming & Nesting software solutions.

This is Design CAD Software, not Programming Software.  Autodesk has provided AutoCAD for a Quarter Century, and is a standard.  Many Companies Design with it, and provide the Standard  .DXF Files to their Manufacturing, or to Vendors

Metalsoft,  based in Irvine CA,  was one of the Leaders of the Fab Software Industry. But I would avoid now, as they have been Bought-Out by Amada to be their Exclusive In-House programming solutions.  Support for other Brands of Machines is Likely to Stop.

MTC Software,  located in Good Old Lockport NY,  provides several Design,  Programming,  and Nest Software Solutions.

Striker Systems,  located in White House TN,  has provided CAD & Programming Fab Software for over 2 Decades.

Strippit,  located in Beautiful Downtown Akron NY,  has provided various programming solutions for their Machines for over 40 years.   In the 1980's & 1990's,  Strippit Developed "Mulitpunch"  which was a very easy to use integrated CAD Programming Package that is still used by many small Shops.  Unfortunately,  it only runs on Apple MAC Computers,  and I do not know if Strippit still Sells or Supports it.    LVD Strippit current Software Solutions are  "CadMan"  which is really Repackaged Lantek software.   Sometimes LVD Strippit is slow in releasing the Latest Versions.   If so,  some have Purchased New Software Updates Directly from Lantek.

Founded & Headquartered in Concord MA,  but bought-out by those Wily French, SolidWorks is probably the World Leader in 3D Design & Modeling Software.  Parts are Designed, and can be assembled with other CAD Parts, then Motion-Animated in 3D to show how they Fit & Work together.   Like a Door on a NEMA-Box Swinging Back & Forth showing the Fit & Possible Interference Points of it's Sub-Parts.  Very Cool.  Cad Files are Exported to your Programming Package to generate NC-Code.

Western Computer Sciences offers 2 versions of the Prippit Programming Software Program.   They have been around since the DOS Computer Days in the early 1980's,  but have not kept up with current technologies, and seem to be fading away.   Simple to use & Inexpensive,  might be suitable for small Shops with older Punch Machines.

This page was last updated: November 19, 2007

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