Best software

[mtlhe]

Hello, long time reader first time poster. I have been manual machining for years and i am traveling tomorrow to purchase a Sharp 3-axis CNC knee mill w/ Accurite control. I have limited knowledge on CNCing. As i understand thusfar i will need to get some type of software to design parts so that i won't have to manually enter it into my machine. I've heard Cad/Cam, BobCad,Solidworks,Mastercam,etc.,mentioned throughout posts. Which would be the best(in terms of ease,price,reliability,etc.) for me to get, and where is the best place to get it? Thanks in advance for the newbie question.

[tobyaxis]

Hello, long time reader first time poster. I have been manual machining for years and i am traveling tomorrow to purchase a Sharp 3-axis CNC knee mill w/ Accurite control. I have limited knowledge on CNCing. As i understand thusfar i will need to get some type of software to design parts so that i won't have to manually enter it into my machine. I've heard Cad/Cam, BobCad,Solidworks,Mastercam,etc.,mentioned throughout posts. Which would be the best(in terms of ease,price,reliability,etc.) for me to get, and where is the best place to get it? Thanks in advance for the newbie question.

This really depends on what you want to make as in parts, and what you have to spend.

[mtlhe]

Good point. Well, i,ve been making simple to complex parts on a manual Bridgeport for years(jigs, fixtures, rotary tables,etc.) and as you know it's time consuming and arguous at times. So i searched long for a 3-axis machine. So i assume i would want something that would allow me to design a part in 3D then somehow transfer that into the control and hope it understands what to do. I'm green on this so forgive me if i didn't answer your question. I've read several post like mine from the search feature,however, still confused. I guess you write the design on a program, then something needs to convert it to a file(dxf?), then you somehow you get this downloaded into your machines control(parralell port, floppy,usb,etc.) then the control should prompt you to start the first step???? Am i close?

[tobyaxis]

Yes and no.

Here is how it works. First you design your part in a CAD Software. Then you Import the CAD Model or Wire Frame Geometry into a CAM Software. In the CAM you create tool paths the way you want to machine the Part using various features and tools. From the CAM Software you POST a G-Code program. The G-Code program is sent to the CNC Control.

You Set up your machine with the tools you used in the CAM software. then set all the tools to an origin with a work coordinate. Then you run the program. During this phase you might have to tweek your feeds and speeds to get the proper surface finishes and results.

I know all this is confusing at first, but if you hang around cnc zone you will learn a lot.

Welcome to CNC Zone

[mtlhe]

Okay it's alittle clearer. I see stuff all over this iste and Google from places offering free software. Some guys respond saying it works fine for what there doing(unknown what they are actually doing). Are these type of free programs worthless. What should i expect to have to spend? And of coarse which ones are best for me. It's like the old saying, you don't know what you don't know!"

[tobyaxis]

Prices and capability will vary from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.

Are you planning to produce products, personal hobby, or learn,

There are quite a few options out there.

DolphinCAD/CAM <<<<CAD and CAM together
AlibreCAD/CAM
OneCNC
Mastercam
Surfcam
GibsCam
Visual Mill
Here are a few but this link will show you more

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/forum.php#cam_software

I use Alibre but this might not be right for you. You will have to make the choice which is best for you.

Ways to make this choice is to try demos of each one until you find the one that matches not only your budget, but what you want to do. Take your time in deciding and read these forums. The ones with the largest complaints are the ones to stay away from even if it means waiting a little while longer to get what you want.

This is the Famous "Buyer Beware"

I can say that Alibre, DolphinCAD/CAM, OneCNC, and Visual Mill are good.
Mastercam, Surfcam, GibsCam are expensive.

[mtlhe]

Toby, thank you very much. I'm keep knee deep in reading.

[tobyaxis]

Here is a link to some Alibre examples.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...962#post592962

I know a few guys will pop in to give you more advise and show you examples of what they use.

Good Luck and feel free to ask more questions. There is a lot of help for everyone here.