Press release
For immediate release
9th June 2025
Dowling Metal Products rely on JETCAM for over two decades
Can move from CAD file to NC code in minutes
Dowling Metal Products (DMP), based in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia, has been providing sheet metal subcontracting services for over 50 years. Initially selecting JETCAM Expert in 2004 to drive an Amada CNC laser, Finn Power TRS6 and a Finn Power Shear Genius SG5, the company now uses JETCAM to exclusively drive their Prima Power machines: a Shear Genius punch/shear SG8, an E6 punch and an E6 LST punch.
The initial drive to select new software was to ensure the fast and reliable generation of NC code for their array of machines, with the Shear Genius being the most complex to program. Evan Williams, Production Supervisor, said; "We purchased two seats of JETCAM Expert - one driving the laser and the other shared between the punches. As machines were replaced over the years, we still continue to use two seats, with one driving one machine exclusively and the other able to drive all three machines."
Being able to respond quickly to customer demand is paramount, and the ability to move orders quickly onto the shop floor has been key. Noted Evan; "I use JETCAM Expert for at least four hours per day. Depending on the complexity of the component, I can move from CAD file through to a workable nest in as little as five minutes."
JETCAM's Right Angle Shear algorithm also ensures that rectangular components can be automatically sheared, with very little additional user input required, which Evan found particularly easy to use. This can significantly reduce machine runtime over standard punching operations.
Over the years, several different users have been trained on JETCAM Expert, which Evan noted was easy; "Training can be done in a short amount of time - usually within a couple of days. If the user already has experience on how to operate a CNC punch it is easier to train them, as they can understand first-hand how the program will work. If we compare JETCAM Expert to other programs we use, to me JETCAM is a lot easier because the menu options and overall user interface are easier to understand." The JETCAM University also provides free online access to over 700 video tutorials across all products, available 24/7.
DMP has seen regular updates to the software since they installed version 15 back in 2004. Now on version 24, users have benefited from a wide variety of new features and enhancements - from the addition of a high-performance version of the rectangular nester, to automatic sheet processing, a new interface and an entirely re-written 64-bit release that delivered significant performance enhancements across the software. Evan noted; "The 64-bit release was a lot faster than previous versions, and there have been other incremental 'quality of life' differences that make day-to-day work even easier."
Local support is paramount for any system on which production is reliant. Dowling Metal Products rely on Australian JETCAM Reseller Eurotec Machinery P/L, who also provide support for their machines as well as software. As Eurotec understand both the software and hardware in use, this has proven very beneficial to DMP, as they only have a single point of contact for everything. Said Evan; "We've been working with Eurotec for around 22 years now. We have a great rapport with them and receive same or next day service on any questions." DMP also took advantage of JETCAM's new LDK soft license technology, switching to a floating license that allowed their two-seat license to be accessible from any configured computer on their network.
The company has now been using JETCAM Expert for over two decades, driving different brands and machining technologies. The combination of ease of use, technical competence of the product and local Australian support have given DMP confidence in JETCAM for the future. Evan finalised; "The simplicity of use and ease of access to local support have been extremely important for us."
Highlights
- Have used one system to drive various different punch presses
- In use for over 20 years
- Can move from CAD file to NC code in under 5 minutes
- Replaced machines, but kept same software
- 100% accurate Right Angle Shear code
- Further benefits delivered in newer releases
- 64-bit release delivers additional performance
- Easier to use than other software in use at DMP
- JETCAM University provides additional learning online for free
- Local dealer support