CAD/CAM Software Directory

Octopuz is a CAD/CAM-based software platform designed for offline robotic programming and simulation. Developed by the Canadian company Octopuz Inc., it enables users to program industrial robot tasks on a computer without interrupting production on the factory floor. In practical terms, Octopuz creates a virtual environment where complex robot motions and processes can be planned, simulated, and optimized before sending instructions to real robotic equipment.

OneCNC is a CAD/CAM software suite tailored for programming CNC machine tools. Developed and sold by the Australian company OneCNC Pty Ltd (part of QARM Pty Ltd), OneCNC provides an all-in-one solution for designing mechanical parts and generating the toolpaths needed to manufacture them on CNC equipment. The software’s core philosophy emphasizes ease of use, affordability, and self-sufficiency for machinists and engineers. OneCNC integrates a capable CAD modeling system with powerful CAM functionalities, enabling users to design or import part models and then create efficient machining toolpaths – all within a single application.

PartMaker is a CAD/CAM software package that enables manufacturers to program a wide range of CNC equipment, from standard 2-axis lathes and milling machines to multi-axis turn-mill centers and sliding-head Swiss lathes. The software was designed to “divide and conquer” the programming of complex parts – breaking down machining tasks by feature and by machine axis – making it far easier to generate error-free NC code for sophisticated machines.

PEPS is a comprehensive CAM system catering to a broad spectrum of manufacturing processes. It is particularly renowned for its capabilities in Wire EDM (wire electrical discharge machining), where it holds a market-leading position for precision programming of EDM machines. Beyond EDM, PEPS modules cover 3- to 5-axis laser cutting, 2- to 5-axis milling, multi-axis turning (including mill-turn operations), and specialized sheet metal fabrication processes like punching and waterjet cutting. The software even extends to tube cutting, robot machining, and other niche processes, making it a one-stop CAM solution for diverse industries.

Pictures by PC is a comprehensive CAD/CAM software suite developed by the Munich-based company Schott Systeme GmbH. First launched in the early 1980s, this system combines computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) capabilities in a single package. It enables users to design 2D drawings and 3D models, generate photo-realistic renderings, and program toolpaths for CNC machining – all within the same integrated environment. The software’s unusual name harks back to its origins: it was among the very first programs to create “pictures” on a personal computer at a time when PC graphics were virtually non-existent.

PowerMILL is a high-end computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software application used to program complex machining operations on CNC machines. Originally developed by the UK-based firm Delcam in the 1990s, PowerMILL is now produced and sold by Autodesk, Inc. following Autodesk’s acquisition of Delcam. The software specializes in generating optimized toolpaths for 3-axis to 5-axis milling machines, enabling manufacturers to machine intricate 3D shapes with high efficiency and precision.

RADAN is specialized CAD/CAM software developed exclusively for sheet metal fabrication. Its primary role is to help engineers and programmers design sheet metal parts and generate the NC (numerical control) code to drive cutting machines (such as laser cutters, plasma cutters, and turret punch presses) and bending equipment (press brakes). In practical terms, RADAN allows a user to draw or import a part, lay it out optimally on metal sheets (a process called nesting), and then produce the machine instructions for cutting out the shape and bending it to final form. The software supports a variety of sheet metal processes under one umbrella – a user can program precise punch patterns for a CNC turret press, toolpaths for laser or waterjet cutting, and even the bending sequences for a press brake, all using RADAN’s modules.

In the world of industrial automation, RoboDK has emerged over the past decade as a leading CAD/CAM robotic simulation and offline programming platform. Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from a university robotics lab in Montreal, Canada, RoboDK set out to make advanced robot programming tools accessible and affordable. Today, this powerful software is used to program and simulate over a thousand different robot models, helping companies of all sizes streamline automation tasks without the hefty price tag traditionally associated with robotic simulation software.

Robotmaster is an advanced CAD/CAM-based offline programming software for industrial robots, designed to make robot programming faster and easier. Instead of manually teaching robots every point of a motion (a traditionally time-consuming process), Robotmaster enables users to program robotic tasks on a computer using familiar CAD/CAM tools. The software automatically converts CAD designs and toolpaths into robot control code, while optimizing the robot’s movements and detecting issues like collisions or reach limits. This significantly streamlines the process of programming complex jobs.

SharpCam is an affordable, full-featured CAD/CAM software suite designed to simplify CNC programming and manufacturing. It functions as both a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) tool for creating part geometries and a CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) solution for generating and optimizing toolpaths and G-code for machining. The software is developed by SharpCam Ltd, a UK-based company headquartered near Guildford, Surrey. SharpCam’s philosophy is encapsulated in its slogan “Design it. Cut it.” – highlighting a focus on intuitive design-to-manufacture workflows.