Are there cheaper options than mastercam

[take a cut]

Looking for drawing and programming software for cnc milling that competes with mastercam for a lot less that is available to a small machine shop. Must work with haas controller. Anybody point me in the right direction

[ger21]

http://www.onecnc.net/index.htm

[wisp]

I use EdgeCam. The new version, 10 is pretty nice. I believe that a seat on 4 axis milling will run you about $8k, 3 axis milling is about $6k, A little pricey, to say the least, but it is in a league by itself compared to some other cam packages.

I have also used EZcam. I think its still made by bridgeport, or it used to be. It is , or was a very well priced cam software a couple years ago, somewhere around $2800 for lathe and milling. I remember putting out 15+ programs a day with it when i worked in a job shop. Ugh, i hated it, working in a small/sweat shop that is.

Cheers
Mike

[Cold Fusion]

Onecnc is the best reasonably priced Cad/Cam system out there, PERIOD.

[Rekd]

I would vote Gibbs or Edgecam if you need reliable, strong toolpathing like Mastercam. For the price, you'd prolly have to go more expensive than Mastercam to find something that compares "all around" to Mastercam. Many places don't need the power, though, so the lower end items like OneCNC might be a good choice. It largely depends on what kind of parts you're going to make, and how much 'control' you want over the software.

[wms]

Originally Posted by Rekd Many places don't need the power, though, so the lower end items like OneCNC might be a good choice.

One wonders if the author has used OneCNC XR2???

[motomitch1]

Originally Posted by take a cut Looking for drawing and programming software for cnc milling that competes with mastercam for a lot less that is available to a small machine shop. Must work with haas controller. Anybody point me in the right direction

I would get ONECNC XR2 PRO I'm using at a tool & die mold shop haven't found anything I couldn't model up ,make programs and machine yet.

Plus it only takes a 1 or 2 days to figure out how to use it.

[aklein1047]

a

[Rekd]

Originally Posted by wms One wonders if the author has used OneCNC XR2???

Not yet. But I've talked to a few that have, and they say that, while it's very easy to use and fast, it doesn't work as well for complex stuff, nor give the quality of toolpaths that you get with a couple other CAM systems.

I'm planning on getting an (out-dated) space-level microwave housing together and see if they'll demo it for me. It's going to kind of suck on dial-up.

[wms]

Originally Posted by Rekd Not yet. (snip) it doesn't work as well for complex stuff, nor give the quality of toolpaths that you get with a couple other CAM systems.

Ya right.

[Rekd]

Originally Posted by wms Ya right.

I notice you conveniently omitted part of my comment.

I thought I made it perfectly clear that it was something I've heard from others that HAVE used it. People that do complex parts and complex toolpaths.

I thought I also made it perfectly clear that I will be making the judgement myself.

[nervis1]

I made this from a block of 6061 with an edition of Onecnc that is a version old. Drill, tap, countersink, z level rough, planar finish X2, thread mill, chamfer, etc. 6 setups. I did this when I was just learning the software, just as practice. Dead honest truth....it was easy.

Does it get more complicated that that for 3 axis work? I don't know, if it does I'd love to see the part.

Onecnc is good stuff even for complex parts. Lot's of guys on the Onecnc board are designing and making whole engines for light aircraft, dragsters. I haven't seen anything it could not do.