Bob CAD woes

[captainasty]

The One,
I have upgraded from v21 to v22 and have problems with predator opening the older v17-v21 *cnc files that have been already been done and that the baud rate has been down graded. The demo version does not let you test these options. The only way to open the older files is to convert them to *.txt files. I have had no problems with the older programs opening perivous versions of *.cnc files. I have contacted the tech support about the problem and the first answer was to convert all the files. The second tech never called back with an answer. So far its been a down grade and not an upgrade.

[tjones]

In all fairness I should post this wheel done in just a few minutes in Bobcad V22. The older versions can also do this but would have to be rendered or viewed as a wire frame.

I did just take a snapshot of my screen so it would show that it was done in V22.

[ktb100]

.

[The One]

OK, easy one first.

captain,

When you open the editor you have a blank screen. Click on File and then Open. In the Open File(s) dialog you should have a Files of Type drop down. At the bottom of that drop down should be an 'All Files (*.*)' option. This is the option you need to use to open the .cnc files.

**disclaimer**
If you exported those files from BobCAD as .cnc files, chances are they have been encoded with a BobCAD proprietary format. Predator will open them, but they will look like garbage (no G-Code) because they are setup to maintain a relationship between the drawing and the code. In this case you would need to open the files in an earlier version of BobCAD and export them as a Text (ASCII) file.

ktb,

1) Have you called support? This issue does not require that you purchase additional support. It is of the utmost importance that you get the system up and running. If you haven't called support, please do.

2) What OS are you using (Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, etc...)?

I can help, I just need to dig a little deeper.

Regards

[ktb100]

Yes I have called, left messages & emails. Gave up. Felt robbed. Bought mastercam.

[ktb100]

Using windows XP, same system / PC is running the mastercam. No prob with the PC.

[captainasty]

**disclaimer**
If you exported those files from BobCAD as .cnc files, chances are they have been encoded with a BobCAD proprietary format. Predator will open them, but they will look like garbage (no G-Code) because they are setup to maintain a relationship between the drawing and the code. In this case you would need to open the files in an earlier version of BobCAD and export them as a Text (ASCII) file.

This is the exact problem and what I figured out. Bobcad should release the encoding script to Predator so it can open their *.cnc file. I should not have to go back and convert 300+ files, when they can do an easy script right.

ktb,

1) Have you called support? This issue does not require that you purchase additional support. It is of the utmost importance that you get the system up and running. If you haven't called support, please do.

I have contacted support and they could only come up with "go back and convert the files". The program will run but I have to convert old files, so right now I'm still using V21, because they refuse to help. On the faster baud rate thing it was only available with a Predator upgrade. I asked for a fix or my money back and they have denied BOTH.

2) What OS are you using (Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, etc...)?

I'm running XP & Vista Premium. But the problem is the same with either system.

Thanks for the input.

[JDsto]

I have called tech support 3 times today and within 20 minutes they called me back each time to help. I'm still not getting what I need but they have got me closer each time. Now I think the problem is in the mach lathe post. Cause I can generate good tool paths in bob-cad v22 and use the preditor software to watch it cut the part out but when I generate g code and send it to the machine it cuts out the part down to the final profile in one pass( scary) will try work that out tomarrow. But in fairness tech support has been very helpful to me.

[The One]

JDsto,

Do you have the system setup to output canned cycles for the operations? If your Mach software isn't configured for canned cycle commands, this could be the problem.

Also, you may want to turn the Sub Program option off, if it isn't already. This too can lead to bad cuts, if the Mach software isn't configured to handle it.

Regards

[JDsto]

The One, I have selected , separate moves, and Canned cycles and both ways I get code that is missing any shallower cuts. What do you mean by the sub program needs to be off. Can you clearify, where would I check for this setting?

[tjones]

Right click the Milling tools in the Cam tree.

Select Current Settings then select Posting from the left menu. In the bottom of the window you will see the option to Output Subs. Uncheck that option.

[JDsto]

TJones, I'm using lathe functions, I went into turning tools and current settings then posting and subprograms output was already unchecked.