Fadal Guru's! Come on in!

[07vistabluegt]

Hey guys, i'm in dire need of some help! The company I work for, recently bought another business; with this business comes 3 Fadal CNC's.
Model numbers are 917-1, 914-15, and UMC-8030HT. I'm very knowledgeable on how to program and run CNC's, I write programs, CAD/CAM, and run 2 routech CNC's. But when it comes to this metal work, its all new to me. They are currently using CADKey, but we plan on upgrading software. What would be the best software to use? I've done some research and I like solidworks, but I don't know if it offers what all I need. I need a 3d software, that I can assign different toolpaths, that has good tech. support and training.


EX. For the CNC's I use, we have Alphacam for our drawings. Then I export the files to Xilog. Xilog is a user interface for the CNC's. The I load the file into the CNC and cut.

Now what programs and different user interfaces can I use for these metal-working machines? I'm looking for the best programs out there!! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[dpark1]

Mastercam-the number 1 most used software,best support.

[07vistabluegt]

Originally Posted by dpark1 Mastercam-the number 1 most used software,best support.

so can Mastercam export files to the CNC? Which user interface for the Fadals do you recommend?

[Edster]

To send files back an forth to the Fadal CNC I like to use Fadals own "NC Fadal" software. It works great and for a lot of things you just put the machine in command mode and go to the office. No walking back and forth!

I use cable systems from Betatronics. Plug and play with no errors, at the machine's max baud rate. Plus great tech support.

Good luck

[07vistabluegt]

Originally Posted by Edster To send files back an forth to the Fadal CNC I like to use Fadals own "NC Fadal" software. It works great and for a lot of things you just put the machine in command mode and go to the office. No walking back and forth! I use cable systems from Betatronics. Plug and play with no errors, at the machine's max baud rate. Plus great tech support. Good luck

Thanks!!!

Keep the replys coming!!

[Edster]

Btw, NC Fadal is the software fadal uses in their MP32 controlls with the built in pc to transfer programs to the cnc side.

I use FeatureCAM 2.5D to program our fadal. No problems it works great and it's easy on the wallet. I've also used OneCNC with good results.

[dott]

Originally Posted by 07vistabluegt I've done some research and I like solidworks, but I don't know if it offers what all I need. I need a 3d software, that I can assign different toolpaths, that has good tech. support and training.

I used ProE for 6 years straight and loved it, but Soildworks is great (IMO the best) choice for 3D modeling. It seems to have the most capability for the money. I know companies that have bought it just for the file conversion capabilities. But, AFAIK, you can't assign any toolpaths to the models in SW.

For CAM, I use MasterCam. I really like the software but tech support in my area sucks. Still using V9.1sp2 even though there are a couple newer versions out.

Whatever the CAD program happens to be, you will ultimately want a 3d model to import into MasterCam. In my experience, there are 3 file formats that work best:

Iges (.IGS), huge files, older technology
ASIS (.SAT), slightly smaller files, better than IGS
parasolid (.X_T), smallest files, seems to work best

When we had 1 CNC mill and I was the only programmer, I used the NC Fadal exclusively. Now we have 2 mills and 2 programmers and it became a hassle with cabling/switches.

Our solution (may not be best for you):

We have a small (outdated) pc mounted on each mill. They are connected to the network just like any other PC. We installed ProEZNC http://www.pronc.com/proeznc.htm on each machine. We post our programs to files on the network.

Now I (or anyone) can remote desktop into the PC on any particular mill and, using the EZNC, send the program to the machine at a very high (57600 consistently) baud rate. Our RS232 cable is only 4' long. Everything else is Cat5.

[07vistabluegt]

dott, thanks for the info!

[carbidecraters]

For simple stuff I like Bobcad it cant be beat for speed on 2D drawings and it has a DNC capability with Fadals. Its cheap and very effective. Most Cad systems will work fine as long as you have a Fadal post processor.

[DareBee]

I use SW and VM6 pro.
If you don't need to do product design you want need CAD just CAM.

[Carter]

off topic, i know, but where can i get "nc fadal"?

[machinist_1]

SolidWorks and Gibbs. Great Tech support (Great training also if needed). As far as file transfer's, I use the FANUC Data server and the FANUC 18i on my machines with CAT-5 cable and a FTP. PC's are across the lot from the machines (60-80 yards) works great. Gibbs just put out 2009 a few weeks back. They made a few changes, even better now. If your not doing a lot of 3-D's, Gibbs also has 3-D model abilities built in it.