Cimatron E11 is an incremental but practical release: not a radical redesign, but a meaningful productivity boost for teams focused on mold & die and complex milling who want fewer surprises from CAM to machine.
Related searches I've prepared for further reading (quick search terms): Cimatron E11 release notes, Cimatron E11 new features, Cimatron vs. Mastercam comparison.
For plastic injection molds, there are often hundreds of holes (for cooling, bolts, ejectors). E11 introduced an automatic hole-recognition engine. It would scan the solid model, flag non-standard holes, and categorize them (Counterbore, Counter-sink, Through, Blind). This saved hours of manual drafting.
Let’s walk through a typical workflow for a "Plastic Cover Mold" using Cimatron E11. cimatron e11
Step 1: Import & Fix (CAD) The customer provides a .STEP file. The user opens it in Cimatron E11.
Step 2: Quenching & Draft (Tooling Prep)
Step 3: Mold Design (Assembly)
Step 4: Electrode Creation (If needed)
Step 5: NC Programming (CAM)
Step 6: Simulation & Post
The "Cimatron" name has always been synonymous with efficient roughing and finishing.
If you are still on E11 and considering an upgrade, here is what you gain and lose.
| Feature | Cimatron E11 | Cimatron 16 (Modern) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Interface | Classic Windows (Ribbon optional) | Full Dark-mode Ribbon (like Office 365) | | Toolpath Calc | CPU single-core | GPU Accelerated (OpenCL) | | Simulation | Basic VRML viewer | Real-time solid material removal | | Electrode | Wizard | Automated batch programming (10 electrodes at once) | | Mold Base | Parametric | Full associative with design changes | | License Cost | Low (Used) | High (Annual rental) | Cimatron E11 is an incremental but practical release:
Verdict: If you do complex 3D surfacing daily, upgrade. If you do simple 2.5D pocketing and drill holes, stay on E11.
Despite the availability of newer versions, there is a vibrant secondary market for Cimatron E11 licenses. Why?