What all do I need?

[henryblowery]

Hello, new here. This is a great place!

I'm thinking about getting a bench top mill(looking at lathemaster) to convert to CNC and was wandering what software I would need to run it. I've downloaded the evaluation version of Rhino and am thinking about buying the student version. I've got mach 2. What else do I need? Sorry for the basic question but I'm kind of confused about the software. Thanks.

Gray

[henryblowery]

No answers? Is my question to vague?

Gray

[widgitmaster]

BobCAD is the other choice!

[tobyaxis]

Widgitmaster is right. BobCad is the other alternative in CAD/CAM. Though I never used Mach2 I have demoed Rhino. For the Price of BobCad/Cam no other software can beat it. Full 3axis machining, with Full Solids support. Rhino is nice if you have the cash to spend but just Rhino 3.0 will not write G-Code programs for you. You would have to get MadCam or VirtualMill plug in. I'll tell you now VirtualMill is excellent but it costs $3500 plus extra if you want extra file imports. BobCad is the better choice if cash spending is a consern. A new release of BobCad should be available in September. V22 has tons of improvements that users have been asking for. Check it out and remember your using it so it's your choice. Just make sure you checkout all your options and try demos. BCC V21 can be purchased for around $500. V22 price isn't yet available. If you haven't guessed by now, I use BCC.



www.bobcad.com
http://management.cadalyst.com/cadma....jsp?id=357719

[henryblowery]

Thanks. Cash is definitely a concern so I'll check out BobCAD. Is that the ONLY program I'll need? I was under the impression that I would need a few other programs as well.

EDIT-Kind of off topic but I didn't know where to put this....how do you change your profile?

EDIT#2-Does BobCAD have prices on their website? Do they have student discounts? I can get Rhino3 for $195 instead of the regular $895.

Gray

[sdantonio]

Rhino aslo links to at least one free CAM program. But it (they) is pretty simplistic. no roughing steps, just direct cut to the final shape. But it is a place to start. I would assume you can trick the CAM by drawing a few concentric parts and approaching the final dimensions this way and calling the largest drawing the roughing step and the final one the finish step.

If your talking about your profile here try usercp in the dropdown menu's at the top of the page.

Check where you go to school, one of the Mech Eng students may have something he can give you for a CAD/CAM program. Schools are usually a great place to find programs, and students are usually pretty good about sharing.

other options are mastercam, solidworks/solidCAM... but here your talking big bucks (unless people are willing to share with you).

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by henryblowery Thanks. Cash is definitely a concern so I'll check out BobCAD. Is that the ONLY program I'll need? I was under the impression that I would need a few other programs as well. EDIT-Kind of off topic but I didn't know where to put this....how do you change your profile? EDIT#2-Does BobCAD have prices on their website? Do they have student discounts? I can get Rhino3 for $195 instead of the regular $895. Gray

No, BobCad/Cam is Computer Aided Drafting and Computer Aided Manufacturing all in one for around $500. Pay no attention to the prices on the website, they will make a good deal if you cry poverty.

[henryblowery]

sdantonio, Thanks for your help....I'll check out my school.

Sisters(students)-Thinks I'm nuts.
Momma(teacher)-Thinks I should spend less time on the computer looking at mills.
Daddy(principle)-Thinks I've taken up to much of his wood working shop already.

Looks like Missie is the only one that supports me in my machining hobby

"No, BobCad/Cam is Computer Aided Drafting and Computer Aided Manufacturing all in one for around $500. Pay no attention to the prices on the website, they will make a good deal if you cry poverty"

I assume that "No" means I need other software as well? If so, what do I need?

I know I'm asking a real noobie question, but this is one area where I'm extremely confused and I really appreciate ya'lls help

Gray

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by henryblowery sdantonio, Thanks for your help....I'll check out my school. Sisters(students)-Thinks I'm nuts. Momma(teacher)-Thinks I should spend less time on the computer looking at mills. Daddy(principle)-Thinks I've taken up to much of his wood working shop already. Looks like Missie is the only one that supports me in my machining hobby "No, BobCad/Cam is Computer Aided Drafting and Computer Aided Manufacturing all in one for around $500. Pay no attention to the prices on the website, they will make a good deal if you cry poverty" I assume that "No" means I need other software as well? If so, what do I need? Thanks. Gray

No, means you don't need one, it's an all in one for around $500.

[henryblowery]

Originally Posted by tobyaxis No, means you don't need one, it's an all in one for around $500.

Great! Thanks a lot. I was making things harder on my self then they need to be.

Thanks agian.

Gray

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by henryblowery Great! Thanks a lot. Here I was thinking I was going to have to save up K's of $$$ for the software to run a $1500 machine. I think I'll get the new BobCAD/CAM when it comes out in sep. Gray

That great, because it is one of the easiest to learn with no prior CAD/CAM experience. Take it for me, years ago in high school I used AutoCad, and VersaCad and their was just too much to do just to draw a rectangle. With BCC you can do a rectangle in a few mouse clicks and entering a few numbers and your done. The only thing about BCC V22 is that there isn't a price yet. I don't know if their going to sell it so cheap.

Here is a Link so you can take a look.
http://management.cadalyst.com/cadma....jsp?id=357719

You may be better of with V20 or V21. V22 may be steap in price.