WHICH IS BETTER ARTCAM PRO OR MASTERCAM X4

both specialy for wooden work arcam pro

Hello Mohammad , Artcam and Mastercam are genuinely different tools and belong to two different categories, therefore, I don't think they compare to each others at all.

ArtCAM is designed to be used on the go, quickly and easily by people who use routers for machining their parts. For example: sign makers, those who do artistic figuers that are cut in wood, foam or other soft materials, jewelry makers, furniture makers ..etc.

A software such as ArtCAM doesn't work for a machining workshop because it doesn't provide enough tools to control the machining process. But on the other hand, you can look at it as a shortcut tool that fits really well within its target market where precision and speed is second focus. Such a tool generates impressive3D models out of2D raster files in a few clicks (meaning you can quickly prepare a relief -this is how workpieces are called in the software- out of a photo and machine it immediately). Alternatively, you can import your2D in the form of vectors (for example: from AutoCAD, Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw or prepare them in the software itself using the2D easy to use tools), then build3D models out of the2D vectors inside ArtCAM. Once this is done, then you can easily prepare the needed g-code for a router to start cutting the piece without even having any background in machining. This process is straight forward and the software will handle for you the most common parameters needed by the router and voila, you will see the machine doing the job in no time. All you need to set up is the thickness of the workpiece, size and cutting tools and things will go fine.

One important thing to mention is: ArtCAM works for router milling machines with fourth axis as an option. Similar to ArtCAM is Aspire.

This is an example of things you can do with ArtCAM:

Now, Mastercam is something totally different. It's a high end CAM tool used by major industries all over the world such as aerospace, spare parts,automotivemold making and many many others. Such a product costs a fortune and is primarily used by a professional in machining because it needs in-depth knowledge of the machine itself and manufacturing processes as a whole.

Tools such as Mastercam, FeatureCAM, Powermill, Catia (machining module), Gibs ...etc, allow full control over the cutting parameters of the part and the CNC machine itself, these parameters are directly proportional to the finish quality and the part itself, so this means you will have control over precision and this is what usually matters. They can also program CNC turning machines and EDM and can perform complex machining processes, levels and levels higher than what you expect ArtCAM to be able to support. You know, in industry, routers are seldom used (they are never accurate and use basic tools!) and expensive CNC machines do the job instead. After all, you want to get the best out of your machine that you paid a lot of money to buy, so you use a high end product that can do all for you, right, accurate, fast and less tool wear.

One major difference is that high end products are usually CAM dedicated. Meaning: You import your design file from a dedicated CAD product and only perform machining using the CAM tool. The reason for this is the nature of the manufacturing industry. Mastercam has the capability of building solids and surfacing but still, it doesn't compare to dedicated CAD tools.

In artCAM, the models you see on the screen are polygon based and usually clip art. This means you can export them to CAD data.. At best, they export as STL which is not an industry standard and this makes a big difference indeed.

Finally, I can illustrate the difference between Artcam and Mastercam like this: if machining is the computing power that one needs, then routers and ArtCAM is what you can get your smart phone to do for you while Mastercam with a CNC machine is the computing power you get from an i7 desktop computer :)

This is an example of things you do with Mastercam:

I personally worked for years for a mold making company in Jordan (dedicated for injection molding) and Mastercam was the major CAM product for a big workshop that had10 CNC milling machines (3-axis) , a few CNC lathe machines, wire cut and EDM. In my current work,we have a5-axis machining center and I chose FeatureCAM for different purposes (by the way: ArtCAM, FeatureCAm and powermill are all products of a company called DELCAM. Each one serves a specific industry).

I hope I helped you get a clear answer.

Fadi