Looking at BobCadCAM and TurboCadCam

[Clockwork]

I’ll start by saying that I came into the process to settle on a software platform without an agenda. Just looking for the best application for my needs. I have experience with AutoCad and currently use TurboCad as my primary drawing program, no previous CAM experience. To this point, drawings were created to produce patterns and plans for the shop. I recently built two CNC routers, this kicked off my search for a combined (inexpensive) platform. My observations may help someone out there.

The BobCad marketing strategy is irritating to potential customers. I had a guy named Mario calling me more than my girlfriend. Felt like I was scammed after the fact as I discovered that Mario spent a lot of time on the phone selling me on V21 without the slightest mention that V2007 was coming out in a few weeks. TurboCad gives potential customers their evaluation code with a “take it of leave it” strategy and zero contact from their marketing organization.

I preferred the TurboCad/Cam evaluation model with unrestricted use for 30 days. It allowed me to work through the entire process from concept to creation. Many things can go wrong along the way from Concept >> Drawing >> Code Generation >> Machine Operation. BobCad/Cam evaluation software doesn’t allow one to actually create a part.

I prefer the TurboCad/Cam CAD functions, but the CAM side has many shortcomings, The worst of which is the time it takes to generate NC code. I have a very fast computer and it still takes over 15 minutes to render the code on complex drawings.

The CAM portion of BobCad/Cam is pretty slick, about 500% better than Turbo. I did, however, have difficulty with the logic of how commands are presented to the user. For instance, pocket milling is defined from the CAD menus and profile milling is performed from the NC menus. Maybe someone can explain why it’s that way.

BobArt is a fantastic program, but I don’t have a way to make any money with it. Machining larger, complex, hi-res, 3-D pieces can easily eat up 5-10 hours of machine time. I really want to play with it, but can’t justify a $1000 toy.

The CAD portion of BobCad/Cam seems very primitive relative to TurboCad. I found myself needing scratch paper and a calculator to work through my evaluation exercises. I really wanted this to work for me and spent about 16 hours playing with the functions before reaching my conclusion.

Both vendors need improvement in providing quality and timely answers from their support organizations. It's off the subject, but Art, the Mach 3 guy gave me the best support (GREX issues) of any company I've ever worked with.

I started to think that my solution was to use Turbo for CAD and Bob for CAM. Unfortunately, BobCad/Cam choked on all the .dxf files brought over from Turbo. Profile milling would only do a portion of a spline and stop. Blowing up the section of the spline where BobCad/Cam stopped to maximum magnification showed a continuous arc with no apparent reason for stopping at the particular point. Also saw a lot of errors indicting a “self intersecting line” for no apparent reason.

The advertised price for BobCad/Cam is $2400 and the price of TurboCad with the CAM plugin is $1200. Both packages can be obtained on Ebay for a lot less money. In buying used software, the Turbo transfer is free, Bob charges $75.

The people over at Bob must, themselves, think their product is hard to learn. They sell a video training package containing 225 lessons for an additional $400 (one just sold on Ebay for $100). The back cover of the video package provides information regarding seminar enrolment. Seems like 225 video lessons should be sufficient to learn just about any software.

I’m sure that the guy who punctuates every other sentence with “LOL” will comment on at least some of the things I’ve mentioned here.

[dneisler]

I use alibre design and sheetcam. You can even use the free version of alibre express and buy sheetcam and you have a powerful package that is many times better then BCC or TCC...IMO

[Greolt]

Originally Posted by dneisler I use alibre design and sheetcam. You can even use the free version of alibre express and buy sheetcam and you have a powerful package that is many times better then BCC or TCC...IMO

I use and like Sheetcam but it is 2.5D and does not compare equally with the others.

Greg

[dneisler]

Originally Posted by Greolt I use and like Sheetcam but it is 2.5D and does not compare equally with the others. Greg

Agreed it might not be the best, but it works good for the price. TCC is also just 2.5D

[bobcadbrad]

your points are very valid and understandable. I have been with Bobcad for almost 4 years and absolutely love my job. We have been in business for more than 20 years and growing stronger than ever. I understand you may not like our sales tactics but this is why we have been in business this long with over 45,000 customers. Personally i would rather a company call me, find out my needs and then recommend what product will be best even if it's not our product. That shows the company cares about you and what you do. As far as him not mentioning 2007 coming out, the company does not tell us sales guys, due to the fact that we are more focused on whats coming rather than what we have currently. Bottom line is Bobcad will provide you with a solution and it's not gona cost you $10,000.00.

The idea that using turbo cad for your design work and Bobcad for your machining is a very common thing. In fact turbo cad is an excellant cad package, but as you said has a lot of limitations on the cam side. So in a sense you have answered your own question.

As far as training, it's not that we think that our product is hard, in fact it has been said to be one of the easiest. Most cad cam companies offer several different training methods. Also as a company, we know who our customers are. We deal with one or two man job shops and don't have the budget that a major corporation has, guys who just bought there 1st cnc machine and have no experience in cnc. These guys are just starting out so to speak, and are not willing to spend $10,000.00 on their 1st system and worry if they can learn it, so they begin with us and some stay with us and some get into the higher end systems as their company grows into the 4 and 5 axis type machining. The point is that when you 1st start something new and you worry about learning it your gona start off with something low cost and easy. This is why we offer the differnt training material, not to mention some guys would rather see videos than read a book.

[tobyaxis]

BCC V2007 Level 2 at least.

[MichaelHenry]

Toby,

It would be nice to see pictures of the actual machined parts in those renders that are in your last post. Have you machined any of them yet?

Mike

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by MichaelHenry Toby, It would be nice to see pictures of the actual machined parts in those renders that are in your last post. Have you machined any of them yet? Mike

Some have, some haven't. If I had a Digital Camera it would be easier to take snap shots, but seeing that I spent all the Cash on PC's and CAD/CAM Software it isn't possible at the moment. Machinists Salary you know

[MichaelHenry]

Toby,

Did the parts you've made come out as designed? How about that propellor?

You can get a pretty good digicam for $100 or so on the used market, though the need to budget for important stuff is understood. Pictures of parts made are more impressive than pictures of part designs <g>.

Mike

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by MichaelHenry Toby, Did the parts you've made come out as designed? How about that propellor? You can get a pretty good digicam for $100 or so on the used market, though the need to budget for important stuff is understood. Pictures of parts made are more impressive than pictures of part designs <g>. Mike

All the parts I made came out better than planned. Most of it was due to being a pretty good Machinist, Tool Selection, and Planning. I have not had time to do any programs with BCC V2007 yet. Still working on the Post Processors.

The Propeller has to be done with a 5 Axis Mill and Software like Mastercam LOL.

Used Camera........I don't have much luck with used anything I think Costco has some good 7.2 Mega Pixel Water Resistant Cameras on their website. They also take most major Credit Cards.

I wish there was more time to play with all this. Between work and daily responsibilities there hasn't been any Free Time.

Cheers!!!!!!

BTW: Go to Sorin's Forum and ask Tjones how BCC V2007 has improved his Surface Finishes. His Polisher is very happy and is worried about his job LOL

http://cadcamtrainer.com/forums/index.php