[fyffe555]

Can I ask for some input selecting CAM software?

I'm at the point where I want/need to buy some but have yet to decide what. Hopefully people here have some better insight,

I currently use a full version of Rhino 3D V3 for 3D modelling, Full Autocad 2000 and have Gmax. For CAM Gcode output I've got Meshcam, Freemill, CNC toolkit, ACE and the GCode Autocad macro from one of the contributors here. I use TurboCNC now, possibly Mach2 later.

Here's the problem; I find I'm producing lots of drawings for potential parts that seem to sit in between full 3d models and 2 1/2d outlines. Parts include some purely 3d elements but also lots of surface that are part of the stock and need no machining. For example imagine a simple cylinder with a flange, like a flanged train wheel, essentially two cylinders stacked, of different dimensions. Or a square version of same with a quadrant cut out, with a few drill holes.

To produce Gcode for this seems to be taking too long and too much effort, so what am I doing wrong, or more precisely what software should I get to do this?

From a Rhino model I presently have the choice of Meshcam and Freemill and both produce Gcode that mills every surface from a square stock, even though the top surface doesn't need milling, and removing a lot of waste material cutting away surplus from the square stock in passes, all of which takes a lot of time too. Drill holes are cut with G01's.

Or I can take the 3d model and put it through Autocad, figure out how to seperate the part and operations into seperate elements, use the gcode macro to produce gcode for each and manually compile and edit what is in essence a set of outline machining operations that together produce the finished part with minimal material waste and no unnecessary machining of surfaces.

I seem to get better finished parts, cut more quickly with the second method but the gcode production can take ages. An advantage with the second method is that cylindrical holes and arcs can be made with a G02/G03 rather than the composite of G01's the first method uses, so holes and curved surfaces look cleaner for the same machining time too.

So, is there a technique or something obvious that I'm missing?

Is there a cam software that I can use to do this with the Cad software I've already bought?

Do you need to build the model in a combined CAD/CAM package to automatically have cylinder holes or arcs cut with G02/G03's?

And finally what software do people recommend. I was thinking of getting VisualMill but am today suffering from sticker shock, this is hobby stuff here so ideally I'd want something on the lower side, <1k.

thanks

Andrew