CAM what do you use

[oknups]

I am a die hard Autocad user. Tried others, but having spent the time learning Autocad, seems a waste to pick up anything else.

Question for the Autocad users, what are you using for CAM.

So far I have tried several, and found all of them required file conversion to IGES, STL, other, and results were miserable.

Currently using Alphacam which will import a dwg file and read it as a solid.

Work I am doing is complex curves, and making molds for producing them.

The version of Alphacam (router) I use is limited in solid machining options, I could upgrade to the Mill version, I will require 4th axis eventually.

WHat are you using?

[69owb]

If your using Autocad Inventor then I would look in to Inventorcam and never have to worry about translating files over again.

[jimmy111]

Inventorcam costs as much as master cam and does less.... But no yearly fee.

[Philip M]

Hi
I use autocad 2012 and alphacam 7.5 (advanced router) I know what you mean transferring files it can be a nightmare. However if you draw in autocad type into the command line "igesexport" select the parts you want then import into alphacam you should not have problems but it puts everything on 1 layer. I draw some harder parts in autocad and the easy bits just in alphacam. Poly lines from autocad work better than splines, just convert with the PE command.

Hope this helps

[fixtureman1]

I also use autocad and I use Vectric's Aspire for my cam. You can dowmload a demo and they have great training videos plus the best support forum around.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by Philip M Hi I use autocad 2012 and alphacam 7.5 (advanced router) I know what you mean transferring files it can be a nightmare. However if you draw in autocad type into the command line "igesexport" select the parts you want then import into alphacam you should not have problems but it puts everything on 1 layer. I draw some harder parts in autocad and the easy bits just in alphacam. Poly lines from autocad work better than splines, just convert with the PE command. Hope this helps

Older version of AutoCAD don't have Iges export, and I think that Iges import is an extra cost option for AlphaCAM? I don't think we have it on 7.5 Standard Router.

[legendboy]

Originally Posted by jimmy111 Inventorcam costs as much as master cam and does less.... But no yearly fee.

i bought inventorcam xpress for well under 1k and there is yearly maintenance

[Philip M]

Originally Posted by ger21 Older version of AutoCAD don't have Iges export, and I think that Iges import is an extra cost option for AlphaCAM? I don't think we have it on 7.5 Standard Router.

Hi Gerry

On the older autocad i use "save as" AutocadR/12LT2DXF and it imports into alphacam ok (most of the time!) The import is standard on the alphacam advanced router , im not sure on other alphacam's - anyone wanting them changing to .ard for alphacam i could save it for them (providing 100's of people dont want it doing !!)
cheers

[fixtureman1]

Aspire is $2000 and no yearly fee.