Software

AI manufacturing software covers tools used in CAM programming, production planning and the analysis of factory data. MachineToolNews.ai follows the products, releases and deployments that matter to machine shops and fabricators, including the work required to connect new tools with existing production systems.

Explore our reporting on manufacturing software below. The latest news feed combines our Software and Software / CAM / IIoT categories, bringing relevant coverage together in one place.

AI manufacturing software in practice

CAM programming and machining strategies

A CAM tool must fit the machines, materials and programming methods used by the shop. CloudNC describes CAM Assist as a tool that generates machining strategies and toolpaths within supported CAM packages. Our CloudNC funding and Quote Agent report follows the company’s development. For a trial, check supported operations, tool-library preparation and the review steps before posting a programme.

Planning, quoting and engineering information

Production software sits between engineering decisions and the work that reaches the factory floor. Assess how a proposed tool uses part information, capacity, cost data and process constraints. Our C-Infinity interview with Sai Nelaturi explores manufacturing process planning. In fabrication, our AI in Sheet Metal page connects this discussion with quoting, nesting and cutting.

Factory data, IIoT and machine vision

Connected manufacturing projects need reliable information from the systems already in use. Ask which machines and databases a product can connect to, how missing data is handled and whether results can be traced to their source. Our coverage of Hexagon’s manufacturing data report examines this issue. Machine vision software is also part of our reporting, including MVTec MERLIC releases and integration.

Choosing software for a production environment

Start by identifying the operation you want to improve. Time the existing workflow and record the corrections it needs. Trial the software on representative jobs, including difficult geometry or incomplete input data. Assess the amount of work an experienced programmer or production engineer must still complete.

Check licence costs, supported versions, deployment requirements and the route for technical support. Establish where part files and production data are processed, who can access them and what happens when the connection or service is unavailable. Include training and integration in the project cost.

Questions to ask before a software trial

How should the return on investment be measured?

Compare the same work before and during the trial. Record programming or planning hours, correction time and completed good output. Include implementation costs and any ongoing work needed to maintain libraries, connectors and models.

How do you judge a new release?

Read the release information for supported functions and availability, then ask for a demonstration using your own workflow. Confirm which features are shipping and which remain demonstrations or planned developments.

Explore related coverage of AI in CNC and AI in Robotics, or browse the Software archive for earlier articles.

Compare documented functions in our AI CAM software comparison, or assess material savings with our AI sheet metal nesting guide.

Latest manufacturing software news