This is a status update on HSMWorks for SolidWorks and the family of CAM products resulting from the acquisition by Autodesk.
HSMWorks, The CAM Solutions for SolidWorks, is here to stay. Thankfully, enough time has passed that we no longer need to ask everyone to take our word for it. Carl Bass (CEO), Buzz Kross (SVP), Carl White (Director), and anyone else authorized to discuss the matter, have stated their commitment to the SolidWorks platform. Next week we will release another update with toolpath enhancements and support for sharing HSMWorks and HSMXpress files with each other. And stay tuned for a big announcement about HSMWorks with the next release (sorry, no hints).
HSMXpress is not only still here, it still offers all HSMWorks 2D (2-1/2 Axis) strategies, still has no banners or ads, and still does not cost one penny. HSMXpress is available at no cost to licensed users of SolidWorks 2010 or newer. If you are just now reading this and don’t believe that Autodesk is giving away the world’s best 2D CAM system complete with simulation, graphical setup sheets, post processing, and the world’s best CNC editor, just go to HSMXpress | Integrated CAM for SolidWorks.
So, what does the future hold?
It is no secret that Autodesk has been working on CAM for Inventor. When released, Inventor users will enjoy the same CAM functionality of HSMWorks. The only difference is that CAM for Inventor is designed specifically for Inventor, giving users the same high quality user experience SolidWorks users now get with HSMWorks.
Autodesk is also working on CAM for the Fusion 360 family of products. The concept is simple: CAM will be a member of the 360 Cloud offering that now includes Fusion 360, PLM 360, and SIM 360. Basic functionality was shown on the main stage at last year’s AU (Autodesk University) in December and Carl Bass has, since then, stated the company’s intention to integrate HSMWorks CAM technology into the Autodesk portfolio of desktop software and cloud services. We can’t say anything more about that at this time.
Ultimately, our goal is to create the world’s best CAM tools to provide users with all the power and quality they expect, while offering the superior ease-of-use and productivity advantages of professionally integrated CAM.
Some of our competitors are spreading baseless rumors and un-truths. Perhaps you have heard some of them: “HSMWorks for SolidWorks is going away”, or “You should buy our 2D CAM because HSMXpress is going away”. Some people will say anything to close a sale.
We, for our part, have been as transparent and forthcoming as possible and our actions have followed our words. If you want the world’s best SolidWorks CAM, at any price, check out HSMXpress/HSMWorks. Just try it. You will see. If you have Inventor or are interested in Cloud-based solutions, wait just a little. We think you will be very happy with what comes next.
In either case, we are here for you -now and in the future.