The Assimilation Continues

[gcode]

Mastercam aquires Fastech

Tolland CT – Sandvik announces the acquisition of the business of the American company FASTech, which will be part of Mastercam, the world's leading CAD/CAM software provider. The acquisition has been completed as an asset acquisition. FASTech, Inc., a valued Mastercam channel partner serving customers in Ohio and eastern Kentucky. 

This acquisition marks an important milestone in Mastercam's mission to shape the future of manufacturing. For over 30 years, FASTech has been a trusted partner in delivering best-in-class solutions and supporting manufacturers. By integrating FASTech's expertise and regional insights, Mastercam strengthens its ability to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service to customers in the region. 

"Integrating FASTech into Mastercam reinforces our commitment to providing manufacturers with unmatched support and industry-leading CAD/CAM solutions," said Russ Bukowski, Interim President of Mastercam. "This acquisition allows us to build even closer relationships with customers in the Midwest region of the United States, ensuring their success in an evolving manufacturing landscape." 

[JParis]

Another one bites the dust

[CNCAppsJames]

After all is said and done, there's probably only going to be a few left;
CAD/CAM Consulting, MLC-CAD, and ShopWare ...

[kccadcam]

Leadership Transition:
https://www.mastercam.com/news/press-releases/mastercam-announces-leadership-transition/

[JParis]

After all is said and done, there's probably only going to be a few left;
CAD/CAM Consulting, MLC-CAD, and ShopWare ...

Nope

[Newbeeee™]

Nope

World Domination!

[Brad St]

interesting when you go back through the years here:
https://www.mastercam.com/news/press-releases/

Change after change in the past 4 years in the key roles of management.

[Zoffen]

interesting when you go back through the years here:
https://www.mastercam.com/news/press-releases/

Change after change in the past 4 years in the key roles of management.

Maybe rats jumping off of a sinking ship....?

[JParis]

Maybe rats jumping off of a sinking ship....?

No, Sandvik rolling in it's chosen people to run their new cash cow

[Zoffen]

No, Sandvik rolling in it's chosen people to run their new cash cow

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I'm moving onto greener pastures....When my mastercam maintenance expires I don't plan on renewing...

How many others are thinking the same thing...?

[JParis]

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I'm moving onto greener pastures....When my mastercam maintenance expires I don't plan on renewing...

How many others are thinking the same thing...?

It would cost us FAAAAARRRR more to change that direction now...while it certainly isn't "impossible" to do so would be a massively heavy lift at this point.

I submitted the bill, they paid it, no questions asked.

[CNCAppsJames]

Changing CAM systems isn't like changing tires on yiur car...

The competition will extoll the virtues of their system over WhateverCAM, but will disregard the learning curve and post processor cost of implementation, etc...

Not saying there aren't instances where it's worth it to make the move, but when you've got 50k hours of seat time in something, that degree of proficiency is going to take time to gain in a new system even when you're a full-time programmer.

 

[TSmcam]

Changing CAM systems isn't like changing tires on yiur car...

The competition will extoll the virtues of their system over WhateverCAM, but will disregard the learning curve and post processor cost of implementation, etc...

Not saying there aren't instances where it's worth it to make the move, but when you've got 50k hours of seat time in something, that degree of proficiency is going to take time to gain in a new system even when you're a full-time programmer.

I'll pour the coffee and lay out the donuts

Seriously though, I agree, changing CAM systems isn't like changing tires on your car. But, I've been party to several changes from one CAM system to another. In all cases but two, it was a change from a seperate CAM system to a true CAD/CAM system. The other two were a change from a seperate CAD and CAM system to said integrated system.

Was it the drawn out, stress saga that many believed it would be? Nope, not at all. It was a gradual transition for most parties, done at a realistic pace. All new programming was done in the new application (a few remote instances where urgent stuff was down in the old application), and all the legacy data was maintained using the old system.

Through it all, I didn't disregard the learning curve, and the process of post processor implementation. In fact, I emphasised the task ahead. But it was a relatively straight forward process. Any existing programmer who is capable, will have the experience base to adapt to a new product. I think a lot of the time, it is a case of an experienced user fearing they won't have the "prestige or rank" (not sure of the right phrase to use here . But that repeats itself once the experience builds up again.

In one instance, there was one programmer who was a vocal critic of the change to another product. A really experienced Mastercam programmer, who questioned the need to change. Three years later, not having adapted, he is the one left behind. The rest of the programmers are doing the heavy lift programming because they learnt, and have the tools to handle the large fixture assemblies, and the post processors for the new machines installed after the application change.

Sure, there are times when it isn't worth the change. But for those mentioned above, they've all made very good gains for actually, not a huge amount of effort.

But, they had the need/desire for change.

[champshire]

Well this is certainly interesting...they are (were) my reseller. Several really good guys there that I have have formed relationships with over the last 14 yrs. I don't know what all will change, other than the faces in the building? Anyone know what the typical move is when they do this?

Also, my boss wants to know if my Sandvik dealer can sell us Mastercam now 

[JParis]

Anyone know what the typical move is when they do this?

To date...they have been keeping the employees on, they just transition who they work for...

So far, the management and staff have remained. Those that did not, it is my understanding, left of their own accord.

Sandvik WANTS the people that interface with the customers. They are just bring it all "in house" so to speak.