Hi all,

I sit in the middle of two companies in the group that I work for, when a customer asks for a price I ask both companies for a price.

I am very proficient in computer programming but have only ever done cnc operating, not setting, nor a good working knowledge of working with different materials (we work with plastics to ultra high tensile steel).

Oftentimes pricing from both companies vary a little and I'd like to understand why.

Is there a virtual cnc software package that I can learn and run components on that will give me cycle times, that also takes into account material strength/ cnc manufacturers/ cnc age and gives you a wide array of tooling options?

It does not have to be easy to pick up, I'm willing to put a lot of hours into getting to know the software. Main thing is that it's accurate cycle-time-wise...

Thanks,

Mark