Autodesk, the company that sold more computer aided design software
(CAD) then all competitors combined, acquired a small Danish CAM software
company. Why now? Why HSMWorks? And what can we conclude about the future of CAD/CAM?
CAM in short
CAM software play different rule then the CAD software. While the CAD
refers to computer-aided design, CAM stands for Computer Aided Machining and relate
to manufacturing. The CAD software make the model manipulation that creates a machine
language commands (G-CODE) translated into a set of manufacturing machine
operations that create a physical part by subtracting material. While CAD
software is sold ready to use straight out of the box, the CAM software
requires the adjustment to the tools and production machine in the factory.
All major CAD vendors also develop CAM solution. Autodesk was the
only exception. Customers using Autodesk software needed "third
party" add-in CAM solutions such as InventorCam or independent software such as MasterCam or Cimatron that can get information from any 3D CAD
software.
Autodesk enter the game
Over the last 30 years, in the Autodesk list of products, the CAM
was conspicuously absent. Autodesk's strategy in recent years is heading to a
complete solution for all CAD needs, design, simulation, sharing and
management. This year we saw the launch of the innovative new PLM (product
lifecycle management). Enter into CAM fit with Autodesk's agenda but, rather
purchase a small Danish company, HSMWorks, received with great surprise.
Autodesk is a big company with huge resources. HSMWorks is a
relatively young and meaningless at the CAM market. It has few customers and
one product that work with SolidWorks software only. Their slogan is "the
CAM Solution for SolidWorks"
In the past, when looking for solutions to complement its solutions,
Autodesk spent the money in purchasing the best in class. For mechanical
simulations they acquired Algor, for flow simulations CFDesign and never the
less than the MoldFlow for plastic simulation. So, why Autodesk chose to enter
the CAM market an acquisition of an unknown player?
The advantage of HSMWorks
At first glance, other than upsetting Dassault / SolidWorks, it is not
clear what prompted Autodesk to purchase the small Danish company that sells mostly
to SolidWorks customers. Although SolidWorks showed nervousness and pulled the
product from the list of solutions partners, Autodesk may actually see the
product fit with their future planes. Autodesk recently taken significant steps
toward cloud technologies. While many bring doubt if CAD is ready for the cloud,
Autodesk is moving towards using cloud resources for storage and to run
multiple processors simultaneously allowing better use for local hardware and accelerate
solving complex problems. Autodesk already offers its customers cloud technology
for render, simulation and optimization. Possibility to transfer the calculations
to the cloud, give the user more computing power and allow solving several
problems at the same time. .
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| Cloud technology, the future of CAM ? |
Unlike other CAM solutions that are based on an ancient code, HSMWorks
is a fairly new software design for 64-bit and multi-processor. The company has
developed its own kernel with special regard to multicore architecture, subject
missing today in must CAD solutions.
HSMWorks technology appealing to Autodesk because a multicore
software is suitable for conversion to cloud technologies and to extract the
benefits of this technology. So, I don't expect Autodesk soon to turn the
existing software to HSM-Inventor as a CAM solution for the popular Inventor CAD
software. Because CAM capabilities can appeal to a number of Autodesk software,
it would be better to invest in the development of innovative cloud CAM system,
like they did recently with simulation. This will
provide unparalleled performance for CAM software. As with the simulation, the production
of g-code for manufacturing machine is best suited for cloud technology. CAM
and simulation are very performance sensitive and in both areas information
released to the network are less sensitive than the one stored in the CAD
system.
The future of solution partners
Autocad software success is often credited with being an open
platform and easy for application development. Similar for today IPhone, from
the beginning, Autocad has introduced a wealth of complementary applications
which expand the basic capabilities and appeal to more customers. SolidWorks has
built a similar model of successful reliance on third-party applications as
solutions to extend the capabilities and improve competitiveness especially
against the more mature rival such as Pro / e. The last event, where Autodesk
acquired software based on SolidWorks raises questions about the future of this
model. HSMWorks was SolidWorks Gold Partner and CAM Partner. These partners are
promoting by SolidWorks and usually sold by the SolidWorks distribution channel.
Immediately after the announcement of the purchase, SolidWorks remove any
reference or link to HSMWorks which is not a partner anymore. The customers left
wondering what will happen to their large investment in the software.
Tom Mortensen, owner of HSMWorks, notes that the lack
of certainty of the future of SolidWorks and the inability to get an answer
from the company for the next generation V6 software were among the major
reasons that led them to conclude that their future with SolidWorks not sure.
Looks like CAD market matures, the amount of developers who are
willing to base their future as a fifth wheel in another company's CAD
decreases. Customers prefer to have one provider that can provide a
comprehensive solution for design, validate manufacturing and management and
ensure the investment for the long-term.
Gal Raz
