Best deal on Mach3

[damae]

Ok, I've been running Mach in trial mode for long enough to know I love it!
So it's time to drop some cash on Art!

The only question is what is the best deal on Mach3? Newfangled offers a bundle for USD$188 that includes their Mach3 Addons package. I've seen some other vendors offer a deal on Mach if purchased with a machine.

Aside from Newfangled, are there other bundles I should consider?

How good is the Newfangled Mach3 Addon package? I'd love to hear from people who use this package.

[ger21]

Do you need CAM software?

Mach3 with MeshCAM http://www.grzsoftware.com/buy.php
Mach3 with SheetCAM http://www.sheetcam.com/

[damae]

Thanks Ger21! I do need a CAM package. Now I have to learn about MeshCAM and SheetCAM before I decide where to buy Mach.

Any other good bundles out there I should be looking at?

[debogus]

MeshCAM and SheetCAM thats the one

[JFettig]

Meshcam from what I have seen is 3 axis only, sheetcam is 2.5 axis only from what I remember,

I think sheetcam is the best choice for a lot of things, but meshcam would be nice for some too.

Jon

[CNCRob]

Is there any place to get MeshCam and SheetCam in a package deal?

[damae]

Originally Posted by JFettig Meshcam from what I have seen is 3 axis only, sheetcam is 2.5 axis only from what I remember, I think sheetcam is the best choice for a lot of things, but meshcam would be nice for some too. Jon

It looks like SheetCAM has the more advanced contour and pocketing methods, which is what I need. But sheetCAM is also targeted at plasma and routers. This is a tough decision because I think I still want to get the Newfangled wizards, even if I purchase Mach in a bundle with SheetCAM.

[carlnpa]

With some 2D drawing forethought Sheetcam can be made to act very much like a 3D program. Meshcam is making noises about 4th axis capability in the near? future.
I have them both and like them both very much, I use Sheetcam more however.
HTH
Carl

[damae]

What are the limitations of SheetCAM? For instance, I couldn't discern from the website if it has some limitation on the types of files it can import or if it can handle 3D contouring.

I am worried that MeshCAM's waterline (z-level) machining generates the outline countour, but not the toolpaths to remove the material outside the outline.

Can anyone speak to these limitations?

[ger21]

Originally Posted by damae What are the limitations of SheetCAM? For instance, I couldn't discern from the website if it has some limitation on the types of files it can import or if it can handle 3D contouring.

I haven't used SheetCAM since an early beta, but it's primary purpose is cutting 2D, or 2.5D parts. I don't believe it does any 3D contouring, but as was already mentioned, with some creative 2D drawings, you can create some 3D shapes by using a sewries of layered 2D toolpaths. As for file types, the most common it supports are HPGL and .dxf, but I believe it supports a few more 2D file formats. ASk in the SheetCAM forum, Les will usually reply pretty quick

Originally Posted by damae I am worried that MeshCAM's waterline (z-level) machining generates the outline countour, but not the toolpaths to remove the material outside the outline. Can anyone speak to these limitations?

As for MeshCAM, you remove all the material with the roughing toolpaths prior to running the waterline toolpaths.

[damae]

Originally Posted by ger21 ...As for MeshCAM, you remove all the material with the roughing toolpaths prior to running the waterline toolpaths.

Thanks Gerry. I installed the MeshCAM demo and played around with it, generating a few toolpaths. I'm VERY impressed with the interface and well thought-out layout. I'll have to play around a little more to figure out how it handles cutting a partial area, rather than the whole part. It is not a total solution, but it seems very useful for 70% of the parts I will make.

Too bad there's no MeshCAM+Newfangled+Mach3 bundle!

[ger21]

Originally Posted by damae I'll have to play around a little more to figure out how it handles cutting a partial area, rather than the whole part.

THe only way to cut a partial area right now is to cheat, by using smaller stock sizes and offset the stock. This should be addressed in V2, I believe, when it's finished.