Opinion on CAM software?

[nickswimsfast]

I am looking for a quality 3D CAM software package for under $300 USD. I am using mach3, and solidworks. I am proficient in solidworks.

I was spoiled because my school taught me FeatureCAM, and learned SolidCAM. I was expecting the same sort of reliability and ease of use with solidworks with these packages. This was not the case. After looking up the price of these packages, I'm a little dismayed with what you get in terms of reliability and ease of use.

I am finishing my first CNC build and am looking to purchase a CAM package to run it. I tried installing Freemill (sucked). I also installed camBAM, but it doesn't look like a UI that I am savy to, looks like it's from windows 98.


I'd like a CAM system that can:

• reliably import solidworks or inventor files (stl,step,iges will work too)
• automatic toolpath generation for 3D surface (doesn't need to be perfect, i realize limitations of this technology.)
• Allow finish passes
• Allow you to define your own tool libraries
• Full 3D stock material simulation (so you can see material being cut out of the solid stock)
• Be under $300, around 100-200 is preferred.

Any recommendations? Or does such a system not even exist for this price?

[chuck5121]

Cad cam systems are like anything else. You get what you pay for. I was at a shop and we used EdgeCam, alot of nice features. The shop I am at now we don't need those features everything is 2d Drill holes and mill straight lines. Ocasionaly I thread mill a hole. Good luck on your hunt for a Good inexpensive system if you find one I want it to.

[Daruble]

Did you find a CAD CAM program thats works? I don't know much about them I am more famillar with 3D art programs like 3Dstudio Max or Milkshape 3D but I need something to design my CNC on and then have a user interface please let me know if you find somthing thanks

[nickswimsfast]

I'm exploring the free, and trial versions of some software first as time permits. (work a standard 40.) I feel really good about ArtCAM for my signmaking, and artsy type plaques.

As for 3D part machining... I haven't settled on one yet.

If you want to try a free 3D cad software try Autodesk 123D - Free 3D Modeling Software, 3D Models, DIY Projects, Personal Fabrication Tools it's made by autocad and strangely similar to inventor. It does not support 2D cad file generation, but you can make healthy .STL files with it. The 2D sketching was a bit of a struggle with the constraints. I bet if they work that out, it will be an excellent low cost (or free) modeling package.

So I also successfully took a part generated from 123dapp and imported it into pyCAM which was pleasantly simple, but I'm not completely versed with its use, and couldn't specify both Depth of Cut, and width of cut simultaneously. But for free pyCAM is not a bad deal.

[mcphill]

Look in to BobCAM. It is a plugin to SolidWorks and provides the functionality you have stated you want. You can get it for well under their "posted" price, they run specials for $595 all the time, and you can probably get them down to $500 or so. I would not use your own home phone or any phone you use, though. Call from a "random" desk somewhere (their sales guys are relentless once they have your phone number)...

[SBC Cycle]

Look in to BobCAM. It is a plugin to SolidWorks and provides the functionality you have stated you want. You can get it for well under their "posted" price, they run specials for $595 all the time, and you can probably get them down to $500 or so. I would not use your own home phone or any phone you use, though. Call from a "random" desk somewhere (their sales guys are relentless once they have your phone number)...

I don't have Solidworks so I haven't tried BobCAD's SW plugin but my standalone BobCAD-CAM V23 will do everything in your list up there. I run a full time machine shop with 6 CNC mills with it. Don't know if it can be had for under $300 but I believe mcphill's guesstimate would be accurate.

Just a head's up, it will not import Inventor files natively, you will have to export them into another file format. Use "STEP" with Inventor, IGES is a little flaky on the import into BCC. Can't say if that is on BCC's end or Autodesk.