OK, I'm pretty new to CAM software - although I've been using SolidWorks for a couple of years and I'm very comfortable with it.

I bought V22 Pro.

First observation: it crashes all the time. Not a good sign.

Second observation: The UI is very awkward, at least compared to SolidWorks and Alibre.

Third: I don't trust the toolpaths it's generating. On Z-axis rough I asked it to ignore the holes, but it still plunges into them. On Z-axis finish the toolpath appears to overshoot the depth. I've re-done the settings several different ways and it still does the same thing. One time when I generated toolpaths it has paths cutting through the sides of the part, when I re-generated without any changes they went away. That's not right.

Fourth: I've atttempted to contact support through the website. Four times in as many days. No response. I'll try the phone, but I'm not optimistic.

Fifth: The FAQ on their website suggests updating the version of BC with a newer build. I did, and now preview doesn't work at all. Just a blank window that says "loading".

I'm not impressed, a CAM package that crashes all the time and generates incorrect toolpaths at random times isn't worth anything IMO.

I hope I'm wrong and that this turns around, but if not I'll be asking them for a refund real soon now.

Ohh.. Many viruses dont like BOBcad Cam...:)




Pls check ur harddrive with reputable anti virus program:)

As for Z axis rough and finish. Please check the endmill type. If the tool has a radius on the corner then it will need to go beyond the side depth to get the entire form to clean up. (past the corner radius of the tool)

You can limit this in 3D cuts by placing a false, solid face, bottom to force Bobcad to stop the cut in Z.

I am not seeing the cuts like you describe going into the surfaces. There is situations in pocketing where you can place a start point to make it cut through an island (been trying to get this one fixed for some time). This requires moving the start point to the other side of the island as a work around.

On the crashing they told me this was because auto save wasn't turned on. I checked this with the tech support rep on the phone, and it was turned on (set at 5 minute intervals). Then he said it might not be auto saving (even though it was turned on), we checked and it is in fact auto saving to the backup directory. Then he told me to manually save my file every few minutes. This isn't acceptable, my interpretation of this is "we expect it to crash every few minutes so save your work constantly"

Disappointing, I really want to like this software but it's not cooperating...

No radius, both are square endmills (3/8" rough, 1/4" finish to get into the small radius)

The islands in this example are a result of overshoot I believe, not isolating. There isn't a "start point" setting for Z-Axis rough or finish that I see.

I'll post a pic with a screenshot...

As for Z axis rough and finish. Please check the endmill type. If the tool has a radius on the corner then it will need to go beyond the side depth to get the entire form to clean up. (past the corner radius of the tool)

You can limit this in 3D cuts by placing a false, solid face, bottom to force Bobcad to stop the cut in Z.

I am not seeing the cuts like you describe going into the surfaces. There is situations in pocketing where you can place a start point to make it cut through an island (been trying to get this one fixed for some time). This requires moving the start point to the other side of the island as a work around.

I'm attaching two screen shots of the verify operation for the "overshoot" problem.

As you can see in the "during" picture, the z-axis finish is only tracing the periphery of the pocket. The z-axis rough was set at .030" allowance (I get the same results with no allowance set). It continues to trace the perimeter of the pocket, overshooting the bottom of the pocket by about 1/8" (this part is 3" OD, so I'm guessing the overshoot visually).

Both rough and finish have the top of part set the same.

Change the color of your rough and finish passes to more easily see where this is occuring. I have yet to get anything like this where I did not have something set incorrectly.

But I would like to repoduce this error so I can report it.

My experience has been the same, when I get unplanned results it has turned out to be the settings. I agree that the UI is a little weird, when filling in some info in machining operations some stuff doesnt seem to make sense.
What I have started doing is to check surface normals on 3-d models before I ever start programming. And I use large stepovers/depths until I get the path correct, then go back and set it where I want it, saves me time. But I am getting better, I am getting alot of use out of the 3-d paths now, after alot of practice I am usually getting it right on the fisrt couple trys.

I'm working on a more complex part now, and it's actually going much smoother. Fingers crossed. The first part I tried is so simple that it just didn't make sense that I'd have so many problems, and honestly tech support wasn't helpful.

Question: on z-axis rough how can I stop it at some waterline? Do I have to fake it out by adding a horizontal solid?

That may be one way but there is another. This one may sound strange as it does not allow for for multiple boundries.


The 'Stock Geometry' located under the 'Milling Stock' is used for a boundry in Z level machining. When set to machine all then it will machine the entire stock defined by the Stock Geometry and ignore any solid area outside of the stock geometry even if selected.

That may be one way but there is another. This one may sound strange as it does not allow for for multiple boundries.


The 'Stock Geometry' located under the 'Milling Stock' is used for a boundry in Z level machining. When set to machine all then it will machine the entire stock defined by the Stock Geometry and ignore any solid area outside of the stock geometry even if selected.


Thanks for the idea, but that doesn't work. I set the stock up as a 1" thick block covering just the area I need to machine to put the rest of it into a fixture. As you can see the z-axis toolpaths completely ignore it.

I'm so frustrated with this software, nothing seems to work properly. Their tech support has been completely unresponsive.

I'm going to look into a refund I think.

This is not a boundry issue this is a Z level machining function.

Boundry sets X-Y.

Try adding a simple plane (solid surface) that extends beyound the boundry to limit the Z axis depth.

Basically the surface would be like your fixture so it knows where it needs to stop.

What Build number are you on .
TO check goto Help then about bobcad
The latest build is 861

i am new to this to but i think you could just translate the part to a lower depth and the set your total cut depth to 1 or two inches what ever you want not sure but i hope that helps

What Build number are you on .
TO check goto Help then about bobcad
The latest build is 861

I'm on the latest version.

Has anyone ever had success with BobCad support? I've sent it about 5 or 6 different issues where it is obviously building an incorrect toolpath (sending bobcad files and screen shots) and have NEVER gotten a return call.

This software, at least as far as 3d toolpath creation, is useless as best I can tell. Their support is a joke.

If anyone is considering buying bobcad, save your money for a real package. They don't refund anything except the cost of the software so when you buy a package deal you're at their mercy as to what the software itself cost.

This is without a doubt the worst quality software I've ever seen.

Joe

i am having the same issues with bobcad as you i thing its junk their tech support is wothless they have not helped at all i submited several problems and drawings 3 weeks ago and still nothing your best bet is to use this forum for help they have helped me out alot

racefast,

Did you want some help on the part you were talking about in the other thread? I PM'ed you my email so that you could send it to me.


jmcglynn,

Who were you working with at BobCAD? Can you post the file here, I may be able to help.

Regards

what address did you send to for support?

what address did you send to for support?

support@bobcad.com, which is what they told me to use.

I had tried the web form on their site to report problems, but they apparently ignore that too.

I had tried the web form on their site to report problems, but they apparently ignore that too.

Under what user name? I couldn't find anything similar to the topic started here. Also, can you post the file for me to look at? I would like to help if possible.

Regards

Under what user name? I couldn't find anything similar to the topic started here. Also, can you post the file for me to look at? I would like to help if possible.

Regards

"form" not "forum". There is a help request form on their web site that I tried.

I signed up to use their web forum but never got the confirmation email that you need to be able to log in and post. I requested that it resend it, then gave up on that approach.

Honestly, I've had so many problems that I wouldn't trust a program created with BC on my machine.

I programmed a simple part (an ibeam with holes, basically) and imported the gcode into metacut utilities and the toolpaths are garbage, it doesn't follow the part at all.

The verify in BC looks OK, but I don't think it is processing the actual gcode but rather some internal/intermediate set of instructions.

Joe,

Without the file and some explanation of what you want and what it is giving you, I can't really be of all that much assistance.

I would really like to be able to help you on this. If you can't post the file here, you can always email it to me. I can PM you my email address if necessary.

Regards

Joe,

Without the file and some explanation of what you want and what it is giving you, I can't really be of all that much assistance.

I would really like to be able to help you on this. If you can't post the file here, you can always email it to me. I can PM you my email address if necessary.

Regards

It isn't just one part that we've had trouble with, it's every part. I can't send you the most recent part, it's the CAD model for one of our products. I can send you the model for another part that we've had trouble with -- it's really a 2D machining problem, but since BC doesn't appear to support 2D machining of 3D models (which is how the part was designed) we did it with Z-Zxis roughing and finishing.

You are right. The system does not allow for 2D operations (Pocket, Drill, Profile, etc.) to be performed on a solid model. You have to extract the edges of the part, so that you can work with the Wireframe geometry.

If you would like to send the part with an explanation of what is wrong, I can take a look at it and see if I can help. I will PM you my email address.

Regards

Just an update, I spent some time on the phone with "The One" and he was really helpful. We were able to get one part working by turning off subroutines and using 2D operations instead of Z-Level. I had to block holes with a temporary surface because the toolpath was diving into the hole even though I'd indicated not to do that, maybe a result of having a chamfer on the hole in the model.

I still have issues with other parts, hopefully we'll be able to work through them.

Joe

Doesn't seem to be ignoring holes when posting. To easily block hole simply extract the edge and create a surface using that edge.