Requirements checklist
What to ask for when choosing software for five-axis machining shops.
A checklist built from how five-axis machining shops work, to print or save as a PDF and bring to any supplier meeting.
What the software should cover
Tick each one that matters to your business.
- Model and revision register
- Programme, simulation and post record
- Zero-point and workholding records
- Programmer and spindle hours
- Proof pieces and stock use
- Scan and CMM results
- Machine calibration log
Roles that need their own access
Who logs in, and what each person may see or change.
- For CAM programmers
- For setters
- For metrology staff
- For estimators
- For owners
Reports to ask for
Ask to see each one with your own sample data.
- CAM days quoted against actual, by part
- Spindle utilisation by machine
- Proof blanks written off, by alloy
- STEP revisions received and jobs affected
- Airfoil and bore deviations by feature
- Ballbar and pivot checks due and overdue
- Enquiries priced, awarded or declined, by buyer
Systems it may need to connect to
Note which ones you already run.
- WhatsApp or other messaging
- Accounting export
- Barcode labels
- File server links
Questions for any vendor
Put these to every supplier you are comparing.
- Does the system replace our CAM software?
- How does it stop an old model being cut?
- Can programming be billed to the buyer?
- Can proof pieces be costed?
- How are calibration checks tracked?
- Can we keep traceability for implant or aerospace work?
- What does onboarding involve?
- What decides the price?
Where the work usually breaks today
Circle the ones you recognise. They set the order of the project.
- Programming effort is invisible
- Simulation and posted code drift apart
- Model revisions arrive by email
- Valuable stock is wasted on first pieces
- Machine geometry checks go unrecorded
Prefer to talk it through? See the five-axis machining shops page.