We aim to be the dependable partner of choice for our customers: Abhijit Kumthekar

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2017-03-25 15:40:00

OnCreate3D is the first and only full-cloud 3D CAM system that lets Machinists create toolpaths and NC File outputs for any 3D model from any device such as desktop/laptop, Smart Phone or Tablet. OnCreate3D can import a variety of file formats such as STL/IGES/STEP for 3D milling app and DXF/DWG for Lathe, Nesting, profile and punch app. Users can share their model as well as toolpath data with anyone they have permitted to. This allows machining sequence to be generated for any CNC machine anywhere on the planet. Based in Pune, India, OnCreate3D is a new self-funded Startup that strives to live by its motto Dream, Deploy and Enjoy. Dream Simple, Elegant and Affordable products for customers, deploy it with latest technologies and Enjoy satisfaction, profits out of it along with customers.

As Director of Machining Software Pvt. Ltd. India, Mr. Abhijit Kumthekar is on a mission to provide very delightful, affordable and satisfying solutions to the esteemed customers. He shares his views with Avinash Pandey, Content Writer at CNCTimes.com during a small conversation.

The Excerpts:

Please tell us about your company in brief with your offerings?

Machining Software Pvt. Ltd. aims to provide simple, elegant and affordable CAD/CAM products for SMEs and job shops within India and abroad. OnCreate3D is our First Full Cloud CAM application hosted on Azure that will allow SMEs to create manufacturing plans at a cost almost one-tenth the cost of similar desktop CAM Products. After buying expensive CNC machine, SMEs struggle to invest into desktop CAM products for off-line NC program generation. One time investment in CAM product accompanied by compulsions to buy AMCs, work against their already thin margins and cash flows. OnCreate3D will relieve them from the upfront one-time investment. With OnCreate3D users can upload their CAD File, create toolpath operations and download NC File, all in a browser just like accessing your bank accounts online. Although we had CAM toolpath kernel in place for long and our desktop product EagleCAM in place for past 2-3 years, an advent of cloud technologies, availability of cloud infrastructure and Users acceptance of web experience encouraged us to bring our solution on cloud. We are registered with DIPP (Dept. of Industrial Policy and Promotion) as a start-up company. The certification of an innovative product that is required by DIPP provided by MITCON after careful and thorough evaluation. The name OnCreate3D gives a sense of action for “On a mission to create something useful in 3D”. In real world everything is 3D, and even newspaper has thickness.

What are the benefits of having cloud-based CAM services? Do all the features of full licensed desktop CAM product are available in cloud-based version?

First of all, you don’t need to purchase an expensive CAM product; you can use OnCreate3D for one NC File download with pay-as-you-go or unlimited NC File downloads with a monthly subscription. Second, you don’t need to install an OnCreate3D. That means it is available from any device (desktop, laptop, Tabs, Smartphones, etc.) which supports standard browsers. You desktop CAM installation is tied up with desktop/laptop due to hardware/software locks. Third, you don’t have to pay for AMCs and upgrades, OnCreate3D is updated in every 3-4 weeks with all latest functionality. Fourth, you don’t have to worry about lost dongles, misplaced software locks, with OnCreate3D all you need to remember your email used to sign-up and the password.

We have introduced 2.5 Axis and 3 Axis milling modules in OnCreate3D. Few other modules will be slowly introduced as we move forwards.

What are your opinions about data security and what are the plans for handling big data?

I feel data security is, in general, dealt with harshly. For big industries like aviation and automobile, it does make sense to have all measures to secure data tightly. But for everyday consumer products, reverse engineering and creating similar products has become so simple that it doesn’t make sense to spend a lot of money on data security for it. It is like keeping money in banks. We all are comfortable keeping it away from us. For jewelry, we are more cautious and hold it in lockers. But we trust banks to safeguard our assets. Similarly, those offering cloud services where customer confidential data is kept, do take all measures for security.

Please tell us about Free Beta program and different subscription plans.

OnCreate3D Beta program was launched on 12th Jan 2017 after rigorous internal testing and validation to give uninterrupted experience to users. We create 11000 toolpath operations with simple to complex parts to have confidence before announcing the Beta program. Our Beta program will last until 30th June 2017. Users can sign-up and use OnCreate3D for absolutely FREE until then. There is no restriction on some projects and number of NC File downloads. Subscription has three plans for Students, Hobbyist, and Professions. Engineering students don’t have access to CAD/CAM products easily at their colleges; they can use OnCreate3D free for six months. Hobby Machinists have requirements to use CAM package only a few times, and they want to try it out free, they can experiment with OnCreate3D for two months. Professionals, of course, have prior knowledge of CAM products, and they want to make sure their requirements are met with OnCreate3D, they can use it for one month free.  Until 30th June, it is free for all.

How different is OnCreate3D from other CAM Software available right now?

CAD on the cloud is gaining momentum and acceptance within CAD/CAM community. Onshape is focused only on cloud CAD. Autodesk Fusion 360 has CAD as well as CAM module. Ours is the second only full cloud CAM application. That itself is our strength; we want to leverage our first (second actually) movers advantage. Also, we have CAM for sheet metal (nesting, laser, water jet, and punch) planned in future releases. The biggest benefit is that the users can share their projects with each other. That means a machinist can meticulously program a part in his login account and share his project with machine operator at the remote plant. The operator will only download NC File and is ready to machine the part. Today you can send a word or PDF file to your photocopy shop owner through WhatsApp. It saves you commute, time, queue, etc. Why not bring the simplicity to more productive work?              

In your opinion is there any difference is customer behavior in India and other countries.

I feel customers in India have more innovative ways to use a given solution. And it comes out of fewer resources available at hand to complete a given task or duty. Take an example of a printer cartridge. Replacing it is costly in India versus refilling it is costly in western countries. So you will see three color tubes attached externally to the printer only in India.

Is the Indian market price sensitive or application orientated?

The market in India is very much price sensitive at a lower end. A lot of negotiation takes place on price instead of specifications when services/products are offered or bought. If you carefully observe companies in Industrial corporations like MIDC, GIDC, they survive year to year. They take all measures to cut down on costs as their supplies keep asking them about 2-3% price reductions every next year. But they have no enthusiasm to offer additional functionality at the same cost next year. At the higher end, in auto industry market is becoming more application oriented due to stringent consumer demands.

Going forward, what will be the company’s strategy for the branding and marketing?

We are “On a mission to create something useful in 3D”. We are in a sense Google Drive and Google Translate for the manufacturing sector. Our Azure storage is similar to Google Drive of users’ CAD files, toolpath operations, NC Files, etc. that can be shared with permissions between users. We can change NC File format on the go to suit different controllers on different CNC Machines. If the operator finds one CNC Mill with Fanuc controller busy, he can download NC File for Mazak controller from OnCreate3D. This in a sense is Google Translate. With this ease of using OnCreate3D, we want to reach out to SMEs to empower them to work more efficiently.

Onshape and Fusion 360 are known brands for Cloud CAD apps. We are already a part of Onshape app store. Onshape users can seamlessly take their components to OnCreate3D for further processing. We just open one more Tab within Onshape to make it happen. We have plans to introduce OnCreate3D as Fusion 360 add-in soon. 

What is your company’s vision for next three years?

We would like to complete our suite of functionality within OnCreate3D that is currently available in our desktop EagleCAM product. This will include cleanup toolpath operations in Milling module, Nesting & sheet metal processing modules such as a laser, waterjet, punch, etc. and 3DPrinting module. Also, a lot of Beta customers are giving valuable feedback to us. We will use it to improve our product for more functionality and better user experience. This will keep us busy for next three years.

Any other points you would like to highlight?

SMEs and job shops who produce nearly 80% of components in any final product and who are at the end of product chain are often squeezed the most for pricing, improvements, efficiencies, etc. If we talk a lot about last mile connectivity, why don’t we talk about last supplier inclusion?   

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