Almacam
French CAD/CAM and nesting software for sheet-metal cutting, tubes, punching, bending and robotic welding from the cooperative ALMA
Quick Overview
| Company | ALMA (Almacam) |
|---|---|
| Category | CAM Software |
| Headquarters | Saint-Martin-d'Hères, France |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - France (EU) |
| Data Location | Desktop software with cloud components |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | 2D CAM and nesting for laser, plasma, punching and combined machines, bending, tube and 5-axis cutting, welding robot programming, quoting, workshop planner, nesting components, cloud web app |
| Pricing | Not published; contact ALMA. A free trial of 2D nesting is offered. |
| Best For | Sheet-metal subcontractors and fabricators with laser, plasma, punch or tube machines |
| Replaces | Mastercam for sheet-metal cutting, other nesting suites |
Detailed Review
Almacam is the product family of ALMA, a cooperative limited company registered in Grenoble (B 317 495 646) with offices in Saint-Martin-d’Hères. It is aimed at sheet-metal, tube and welding workshops rather than at milling and turning.
ALMA says it has existed for 45 years and that it is the only cutting CAD/CAM vendor to also sell its nesting algorithms as software components to other CAM and ERP providers.
Cutting, punching and bending
The 2D line covers cutting, punching, routing and combined machines, with a separate bending module. Technologies named on the site include laser, plasma, oxy-cutting, water jet, punching-nibbling, metal routing and wood routing.
CAD import tools include an assembly importer and an unfold function for turning 3D parts into flat patterns.
3D, tube and robots
Almacam also programs tubes and profiles, 5-axis cutting and 3D blocks, and ALMA lists off-line programming for welding, cutting and bending robots. The company describes itself as a pioneer in robotic CAD/CAM.
Quoting software (Almaquote) and a workshop planner connect the CAM data to estimates and scheduling.
Components and cloud
For software companies and machine builders, ALMA sells a nesting component and a web app called Nest&Cut. It also offers a 2D CAM application as SaaS, and a trial of 2D nesting.
Limitations to Consider
Almacam is for flat-sheet, tube and welding processes, so it does not replace a milling or turning CAM system; for solid-part machining see hyperMILL or Tebis. Prices are not published, and it competes directly with Lantek in sheet metal. The site names Almacam 4.1.3 as a recent release, but licence terms are not public.
Who Should Use Almacam
Sheet-metal subcontractors, fabricators and machine builders who want a French cooperative as nesting and CAM supplier, or who need nesting components for their own software.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- In-house nesting algorithms (vendor claim)
- Covers laser, plasma, punching, water jet and tube
- Off-line programming for welding robots
- Components and web app for integration
- Free trial of 2D nesting
Cons
- Not for milling or turning
- No published prices
- Overlaps with other sheet-metal suites
- Cooperative structure gives limited public detail on ownership
Alternatives to Almacam
Other European cam software worth comparing before you decide:
GO2cam
France · Lyon-made CAM range from milling to Swiss and wire EDM
Vectric
United Kingdom · CNC router CAM with V-carving, nesting and 3D relief
TopSolid
France · Integrated CAD/CAM from France for machinery, tooling, sheet metal and wood
hyperMILL
Germany · Modular CAM from OPEN MIND for 5-axis, turning and automation
See all European cam software or compare them directly against Mastercam for sheet-metal cutting on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it targets sheet-metal cutting, punching, bending, tubes and robotic welding. Use a milling CAM tool such as hyperMILL or GO2cam for solid parts.
Yes. It offers a nesting component and a web app called Nest&Cut for integration into other CAM, ERP or machine software.
The site invites visitors to try 2D nesting for free. Full pricing has to be requested.