Sai says quality CAD/CAM software can expand business opportunities
Powering up
Investment in quality software is now an absolute must for sign-makers and wide-format print companies in the modern market, if they are to get the best out of their hardware and ensure they hit their core business targets.
This is particularly true when it comes to CAD/CAM machines as without suitable software, there is simply no way that sign-makers would be able to achieve the high-quality results that they and their customers are seeking.
Here, SignLink speaks with some of the leading providers of CAD/CAM to the sign-making market to find out about the latest products available to the market and how these can make all the difference with this sort of work.
Making life easier
One provider in this market is SAi, whose vice president of marketing, Annette Plummer, says in order to maximise their return-on-investment on hardware, sign-makers will need quality CAD/CAM software to drive their CNC routers, plasma, waterjet, laser or knife cutting machines.
“Quality CAD/CAM software simplifies every stage of the sign-making process from design to toolpath to output,” Plummer says, adding: “A good software program will save you time, and time translates to money.
“In addition, quality CAD/CAM software can expand your business opportunities, enabling you to produce a wider variety of signs from basic channel letters to carved signs and intricate 3D architectural signs.”
CAD/CAM software from SAi allows users to produce a wide range of signs
So, what should sign-makers be looking for in this sort of software? Plummer says, most importantly, the software should be screen to machine meaning users can take projects from design, all the way through to production within one program.
“The alternative of designing in one program, exporting to another to send to your machine, then sending it back to make edits, is both time consuming and error prone; you want to avoid this by using a total-solution software,” Plummer explains.
From a design perspective, Plummer says the software should have a strong vectorisation tool that can convert scanned images or raster artwork files into editable vectors. Plummer says a good vectorisation tool will save users time by reducing the number points or open contours that need to be cleaned up.
Another key design feature to look for, Plummer says, is the ability to easily create textures, a sought-after feature in signs that command premium prices. Therefore, she says sign-makers should want a software programme that allows them to create a variety of textures with ease.
In terms of toolpathing, Plummer also recommends a reliable toolpath engine that allows for automatic recalculation when changes are made. In addition, sign-makers should look for fast and accurate rendering that shows users exactly what the toolpath looks like, as well as the finished design, allowing users to spot problems before the output goes to the machine.
Turning to the products available from SAi, Plummer highlights SAi EnRoute 7, which is the company’s latest 64-bit CAD/CAM software program engineered for sign-makers with advanced feature sets that Plummer says make sign design, toolpathing and output easier than ever before.
O Factoid: SAi EnRoute 7 is the latest 64-bit CAD/CAM software program from SAi, engineered for sign-makers with advanced feature sets O
“A new customisable user interface allows sign-makers to set up menus, toolbars and short-cuts to meet their specific needs,” Plummer says, adding: “For example, if you have a group of functions you tend to use all the time, just create a toolbar that contains these functions and then place it front and centre.
“EnRoute 7 also incorporates training videos within the software. Users simply ‘right-click’ on a feature icon to launch a short movie about what the feature does and how to use it. This on-demand training is a unique benefit of EnRoute software.
“Support is another important component of quality CAD/CAM software. Users should be able to ask questions and get any issues addressed quickly. Some companies do not provide any type of support while others charge extra for it.
“SAi provides worldwide support for its EnRoute software via phone and email. This service is offered to users on the current version and to all software subscribers at no extra cost.”
Meeting expectations
Elsewhere and AXYZ also offers a range of specialist software to support users of its router machines. Jim Heenan, router national sales manager at AXYZ, says that quality CAD/CAM software should be easy to learn and use.
“CAD/CAM software is the engine that drives the machine,” Heenan explains, adding: “The quality of the information sent to the machine has a direct correlation to the cycle time, edge finish, and overall throughput.
AXYZ offers a range of specialist software to support users of its router machines
“Understanding how to design a part plays a big part in how successful you are at meeting the right expectations for the job. As CNC machines vary in options and configurations, it’s important to consider how easy it is to modify the CAD file to suit the technology available in-house. A small modification has the potential to massively improve your cost-per-part and/or positively impact quality and lead times.”
When considering the type of software, and indeed hardware, that sign-makers should be looking to invest in, in this area, Heenan explains that there are certain features to keep an eye out for that can make all the difference when it comes to the actual production process.
These, he says, include functionality such as inlays, nesting, 2D and 3D engraving, automatic nesting and customisable tooling libraries. Heenan also goes on to say that quality CAD/CAM software will allow users to easily import and modify artwork from other sources such as a file generated by a customer, making the entire process much easier and effective.
In terms of what AXYZ offers on the software side of things, Heenan says AXYZ has a suite of applications to make interaction with the machines more user friendly. Apps available include Configuration Manager, Tooling Manager, File Manager and Vision Registration software, while robust job-reporting information is available through the interface.
When making the important decisions on which technology to purchase, be sure to participate in a live demonstration of both the software and hardware”
“When making the important decisions on which technology to purchase, be sure to participate in a live demonstration of both the software and hardware,” Heenan advises, adding: “AXYZ routinely conducts webinars and live demonstrations over the web and in person at our facilities.”
Adding value
Another specialist in this area is Vectric, which offers a number of products suitable for sign-makers. Sarah Hanson, marketing communications manager at Vectric, says Vectric software is used extensively by sign-makers to drive their CNC routers and get the best out of their CNC investment, and the company takes great pride in seeing customers turn their passion and creative skill into a business making high quality signage.
“This software can add value whether you want to efficiently produce simple 2D shapes or add value to a dimensional sign with a detailed carved model,” Hanson says, adding: “As the CNC machine is just one of many tools belonging to a professional sign artist, we know your software needs to be easy to use when you need to make something.
“We also know that a successful sign artist may need to do many things so we have solutions with the flexibility to allow you to create a wide variety of parts and finishes in a large selection of different materials.”
With this, Hanson picks out some of the features on Vectric’s VCarve and Aspire software that are particularly useful to sign-makers. These include the ability to import and export 2D vector files from other design programmes, video tutorials for training, 2D profiling with interactive tab hold-down, and auto inlays with multiple inlay options.
Vectric’s VCarve and Aspire software allow sign-makers to create a wide range of applications
Other features include toolpath templates that automatically apply commonly used strategies and settings to new designs, multi-colour toolpath preview for part verification and customer approval, and multi-sheet support.
“Aspire and VCarve both include the tools to design and carve complete signs in one piece of material or to accurately create separate parts which can be more easily finished and assembled,” Hanson says.
“They both also allow designs to be easily adjusted to manipulate customer data to fix errors and make it machine ready. Using VCarve, it’s very quick and easy to import or draw your design data, organise or edit the parts and then calculate appropriate toolpaths to create your carved shapes. The program will let you do everything from simple cut out letters through to prism or v-carving, creating automatic inlays and even textured backgrounds.”
In addition to these features, Aspire has added 3D design tools that enable users to create their own 3D relief models and machine them with 3D machining strategies. Hanson says Aspire’s 3D modelling tools, coupled with a comprehensive set of 2D design and editing tools, make it easy for users to create their own 2D and 3D parts from scratch as well as the ability to import and edit external 2D and 3D data.
“For sign-makers that work with very large 3D data then VCarve Pro or Aspire’s ability to slice 3D parts may be beneficial; look out for our forthcoming releases of version 11.5 for even more new and enhanced features coming soon,” Hanson adds.
The use of CAD/CAM machinery is now incredibly common across the sign-making market, with companies of all shapes and sizes using this kit to deliver a wide range of applications to customers. Investment in quality software to help drive this equipment will help sign-makers ensure they get the very best out of their hardware and deliver high-quality work to their clients.
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