Virtual Classroom Brings CAD/CAM Training Straight to Your Desk


FeatureCAM uses web-based training to save customers time and money by bringing live interactive training directly to the shop.

Training is critical to getting the most out of any CAD/CAM system. However, it is often a challenge to deliver training in the most timely and effective manner. Any busy shop manager can tell you that there is precious little time to sit down with a training manual and struggle to learn the software on your own or, worse, send an important team member out for a week of classroom training. Training gets relegated to a future time when things slow down. Except, that time never comes because there is always a new crisis or that last-minute order that needs to be shipped ASAP.

In this age of rapidly changing technology, training methods have to evolve to keep pace. To meet that challenge, virtual classrooms allow companies to use the power of the Internet and the latest in communication technology to bring a live instructor to the desktops of students worldwide. A virtual classroom is just like a real classroom with an instructor and other students dynamically participating in a training session. The only difference is that you connect to the class from your desk and the participants could be from anywhere in the world.

Engineering Geometry Systems (Salt Lake City, Utah), developer of FeatureCAM CAD/CAM software, began offering online classroom training in December 2002 to make it easier than ever for their customers to receive training at their own pace without leaving work.

“This is a great solution for many of our customers,” says Ben Gowers, Training Coordinator for FeatureCAM, “Students still receive training from a live instructor in a classroom environment, but it saves the expense and hassle of traveling and employees aren’t taken away from their jobs for more than a few hours. We take the training to them.”

EGS uses cutting-edge interactive web conferencing software developed by WebEx (San Jose, California) to provide real-time training over the Internet with teleconferencing for live interaction between the students and instructor. Students only need a Web browser and a phone.

“We wanted a training solution that would better meet the needs of our customers. After an extensive review of web-based training programs, we chose WebEx because of their communication capabilities, focus on providing an interactive learning environment and price. This allows us to offer small classes at an affordable cost to our customers,” states Ben Gowers. “With the graphical nature of our software, it’s important to be able to demonstrate on the screen in real time exactly what I’m talking about.”

FeatureCAM Online Classroom Training offers the following advantages:

  • No travel – With no need to travel, the anxiety and expense for airfare, hotels, and meals is eliminated. There is no lost productivity from sending employees off-site.
  • Ease-of-use – All you need is a Web browser with an Internet connection and a phone for teleconferencing. There is nothing to install. WebEx is immediately available to anyone with Internet access.
  • Flexibility –Training is offered in 3-hour morning and afternoon sessions. Students can sign up for a single session or an entire class. Sessions are offered for all skill levels, from the basics of CAD/CAM to advanced techniques for more experienced FeatureCAM users.
  • Live interaction – Attendees interact with other students and the instructor just like in a regular classroom. Students can click a button to indicate they have raised their hand and ask questions or enter into discussions. There is also the option to send typed chat messages to the entire class or to the instructor privately. Students can even use a virtual whiteboard to sketch out a problem.
  • Personal attention – With a maximum of six students per session, each attendee receives personalized attention from the instructor so they can stay on track.
  • Cost savings – Since there is no expense for physical classroom space or travel costs to send an instructor to the customer site, FeatureCAM can pass the savings along to their customers. Cost per session is only $150. If a student signs up for a session and cannot attend, they simply reschedule the training for the next available class.
 

Jerry Higbie, co-owner of TEO Fabrications (Sussex, New Jersey), and his partner recently purchased their first CNC machine and FeatureCAM CAD/CAM software. After attending two sessions at the beginning of the year, Mr. Higbie had an enthusiastic response to the experience, saying “We were absolutely new to machining and totally new to FeatureCAM. During the classes, the instructor was able to walk us through everything we needed to know to get started. The schedule was perfect for us. Actually, everything was perfect. It was exactly like being in a regular classroom. We sat in front of the computer and were on speakerphone with the class. There were six of us in the first class and four in the second class. Whenever I had a question, the instructor was able to answer it. Whenever you have a problem you can raise your hand on the computer. It gave us a basis to get started with what we needed to know. From there, we were able to learn more from simply using FeatureCAM. In just the last few weeks we’ve been using FeatureCAM more and more. When we got a CNC machine we knew we had to learn CAD/CAM to start programming our parts. We used to farm out everything we put into the race cars we build, so we decided to get our own CNC machine. Without a doubt, we couldn’t ask for more out of the training. I highly recommend it.”

For many companies, onsite training is not always feasible because of the time and expense involved, either from bringing in an instructor or sending employees to a training facility. The problem with a training CD or video is the static environment in which the information is delivered. The content is based on general guidelines about what a typical user needs to learn. It does not allow customers to ask questions or get feedback on specific situations in their shop.

Virtual classrooms provide the solution to these problems. Students receive structured training while retaining the advantages of live interaction with an instructor and other students. This provides the best of both worlds for time-pressed shop owners and their employees. Through better training, FeatureCAM customers are more comfortable using the software and can expand their business by taking on new tasks as they become more educated and learn more about the capabilities of FeatureCAM software.

Attending a training session is easy. A list of upcoming classes is posted on the FeatureCAM website at www.featurecam.com and anyone can register for a session online. The online classroom training is not limited to FeatureCAM customers. Anyone who wants to learn more about CAD/CAM or FeatureCAM products can attend. This is a great way for anyone interested in purchasing FeatureCAM to try out the software.

Prior to the class, each student receives a URL address and a password that gives them access to the session. On the appointed day and time, each attendee simply connects to the Internet and enters the URL address and the pass code, then joins the class via conference call. The instructor first demonstrates the lesson, then students have the hands-on opportunity to complete the lessons themselves. Using short online tests, the instructor tracks the progress of each student to make sure everyone stays on track to get the most out of the class.

Producto Machine Company (Bridgeport, Connecticut) machines mold cavities for thermoforming and die sets for punching and stamping. Dan Guerrera, CNC Programmer, says “We took the first four core classes at the beginning of the year. We took the classes over two days with two sessions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The instructor, Ben Gowers, did an excellent job of teaching us the software. There were three or four of us and he would go through various problems and situations and it was very informative. He would stop to make sure we were all catching on. There were the two of us from Producto and two other students from shops in other states. Registration was very easy. We dialed in at a specific time and were given passwords to access the class. We went to the website, logged in, the class started on time and we were off and running. It worked very well. It was a good experience. We learned a lot in two days and then, after that, if we have questions we just call customer support. We’re planning on taking a couple more classes to learn more about the 3D design aspects of FeatureCAM.”

From the time EGS began offering FeatureCAM Online Classroom Training, attendance continues to increase. As customers learn how easy it is the get the training they need, when they need it, classes have filled up fast. “We’ve had to increase the number of courses we offer. More and more customers are signing up. It’s been a real win-win solution for our customers and our company. Now I can spend more time with the customer and less time traveling,” says Ben Gowers.

Ann Mazakas is a freelance writer specializing in the manufacturing industry.

Contact Information:

For more information on FeatureCAM, please call 888-393-6455 or visit www.featurecam.com.

For more information on WebEx, please call 877-509-3239 or visit www.webex.com.