Need Help!- CAM Software

[Trevor_pn]

Hi to all
We are looking at the purchase of a 3 axis machining center and require good tool path software. Having been involved with Delcam Powermill I know this will do the job, also Edge Can will do it. The problem is the cost. The primary machining can use 3 axis, it has ribbs and fine detail at times. Imagine a Biscuit Tray with all the ribs and a cross hatch pattern in the base. That is the type of product manufactured from the Aluminium tool that would be machined. The program would need to be able to read in, or create a 2D tool path and project to a 3D surface with boundaries, this has been a proven method in the past with out the need to 3D model all the surfaces. Another requirement is hole drilling with the ability to recognize when a drill hole is not the full diameter and stop the drill with out setting individual hole depths. As I stated earlier PM will do it, the price and maintenance makes this program out of the question. Any suggestion to a cheaper program that may do this would be greatly appreciated
Regards and thanks
Trevor

[svenakela]

Rhino + MadCamCNC is an amazing combination that makes me smile everyday.
http://www.rhino3d.com
http://www.madcamcnc.com

[syamin]

An economic, fairly good software for 3 axes machinning is Bob Cad-Cam. Very good for Drilling as it allows to choose the whole grid in a single operation.

[scadvice]

Comment: I personally do not recommend BOBCAD.
Question: What price do you want to pay for a cadCam system and what is more important to you the Cad Or Cam? I think your talking about the Cam side.
Look on the web sites of BobCad, VisualCam, Ezcam, and any other you can find and go to their Forums, read the posts. Read the post on all the Cam's on this site and Practical Machinist forums.
Pay particular attention to cost of upgrading, maint. and what each Cam package offers in the way of operation. i.e. how many ways does it help you to clean up a cut. i.e. penciling ect.
Steve

[Master_CNC]

That was a great suggestion to have people read the forum. Here is one from EZ-CAM that surely will build confidence http://www.cnczone.com/forums/archiv...p/t-76346.html

Good luck

[harley4ever]

Im a personal user of Dolphin Cad Cam and Surf Cam. I am very happy with both. As far as a mid range Cam system, you could check out Visualmill.

[scadvice]

I like EZcam but have a 20 year old version. I have VisualMill starting to like it too. Didn't like BOBCad but I already said that. I think thats because its not parameteric. Everyone is a little different in how well they pickup and learn a system. I'm lazy and want a system to think or do things like I do. Hate to learn someone else's way of thinking. I tend to have to have some things beat into me
As I said the forums are a good way to learn but watch the dates because yesterdays package with a whole bunch of complaints could be todays best one out there and all the problems fixed.
Steve

[harley4ever]

Scadvice you can't say it any better. You like a software to think how you do. That's the truth. What may be one mans dream could be anothers nightmare. It's all on what you like and prefer. I also tried bobcad and found it was nothing near what I wanted. I found dolphin to be exactly what I was after. I will be getting into more 3d work soon and have liked what I have seen from the visual mill demo so far.

[Trevor_pn]

Thank you all for your input, at the moment we have the project in a holding pattern as the Pre-Christmas workload is crazy. We will get back to the NC development in the New Year and take it from there. Again many thanks for every one's input, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Safe New year to all