Hi all.

I use BCC V21 for toolmaking work but find the 3D toolpath limited.

I am not sure of the correct description, (maybe someone can give me the correct terms) but the toolpath does not follow the shape profile so that the 'edges' or 'sides' are formed in a crude way - making the part either rough or very slow to machine. You know the planer toolpath etc comes up against a near vertical side. It would be much better if the cutter path was 'around' the steep sides.

What I want to know is how much better V23 is at this? How well can it do this '3D profiling' type toolpaths - and how do they compare to other high end 3D CAM systems.

Can someone explain this to me please -

I need to step up to a more advanced system and want to know if V23 will do the job.

http://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss86/damjuice/mk1.jpg

http://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss86/damjuice/mk2.jpg

http://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss86/damjuice/mk3.jpg

http://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss86/damjuice/mk4.jpg

http://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss86/damjuice/mk5-1.jpg

http://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss86/damjuice/mk6-2.jpg

http://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss86/damjuice/mk7-1.jpg

http://i564.photobucket.com/albums/ss86/damjuice/mk8.jpg

Hey thanks for that detailed reply! Is that BCC V23?

Hi Again.

Allen 123 the equidistant offset seems to be the one I am looking for.

Apart from Z roughin,g most of the other 3D toolpath options seem similiar to V21.

See my pic below - the cavity has a curved base so 3D was needed. the limitations of the toolpath are clearly shown during the roughing stage.

I want to be really clear on this. Would the equidistant type toolpath starting from the centre cut 3D and finish with a cut arond the profile of the cavity edge?

Thanks in advance..

Sorry here is the pic - for some reason it didnt attach last time.!

Would the equidistant type toolpath starting from the centre cut 3D and finish with a cut arond the profile of the cavity edge?

Thanks in advance..

You have the option of starting the path on the inside and machining outwards or you can start on the outside and machine inwards...you can also set a rollover distand from part edge..If you use a boundry and your part is draw with outside profile surfaces it could also machine that in the same path...But doing an outside surface profile sometime it should be done as another operation

Thanks. Ive downloaded the demo version. Hell its a lot different from V21!

I feel like im starting all over again! - is it worth it?

Where do I start! I cant seem to find any training videos - apart from the sample one on the BCC website. They are not showing as loaded with the demo video - do I need to purchase before i can learn how it works and if I like it?

http://www.bobcadsupport.com/tech/

Click on "BOBCAD SOFTWARE TRAINING FILES and VIDEOS" and follow through to V23.