Madcam vs. Rhinocam

[dirtdiggler]

How does Madcam expert compare to Rhinocam pro in terms of features. Madcam is almost $1500 less than Rhinocam pro right now. Can Madcam pretty much do the same as Rhinocam?

Athough I'm not going to be making molds I'm going to be making some bike parts out of aluminum and plastic prototypes for people. I need some 2.5D features and drilling capabilities and it looks like that is covered in both Madcam and rhinocam. Any thoughts on the two programes side by side?

[turmite]

Dirtdiggler if you are going to be making mostly 2d type parts, get the entry level Madcam. It is a lot less expensive and will do everything you need, plus still give you lots of 3d options as well. One thing to keep in mind. The entry level version of Madcam is what Joakim (the software writer) used for years making molds! The expert level has 4 and 5 axis strategies and a few more 3 axis goodies than the entry level. If you don't need it, don't spend the $$.

Mike

Originally Posted by dirtdiggler How does Madcam expert compare to Rhinocam pro in terms of features. Madcam is almost $1500 less than Rhinocam pro right now. Can Madcam pretty much do the same as Rhinocam? Athough I'm not going to be making molds I'm going to be making some bike parts out of aluminum and plastic prototypes for people. I need some 2.5D features and drilling capabilities and it looks like that is covered in both Madcam and rhinocam. Any thoughts on the two programes side by side?

[dirtdiggler]

Hi Mike,

I'm not going to be making any molds but I'am going to be making 3D part... for instance maybe a bicycle stem, pedals, or a plastic shell of a cell phone. So I need to be able to at least mill one side and flip the stock and mill the other side. I have my eye on a rotary axis but if I can get away with flipping the stock over and milling each side at first using the entry level Madcam than that's what I will probably do. Is two sided milling pretty easy with the entry level? I demo'd cut3D which is a raster type software but it's dead simple for doing the type of 2 to 4 sided cuts. Madcam is obviously much more advanced with what it can do with the cutter, but I need to make sure it's the right software for the type of stuff I will be making.

Thanks for your feedback.

[JOM]

Dirtdiggler,

It is possible to cut 3D parts with madCAM as well as cutting molds.
You can also do two sided milling by flipping the model with toolpaths in Rhino.
The toolpaths can be post processed from one side at a time if using the entry level or all in one setup with the expert level if using a 4-axis machine.

If you like, please have a look at this two sided milling video.
http://www.madcamcnc.com/madCAM42/ma...ided%20milling

Joakim

[dirtdiggler]

Hi Joakim,

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I'm starting to do simple 3D two sided milling so this video helps a lot. Is there a way to add the tabs in automatically or do I just add them in on the model in Rhino?

My future purchase is going to be a rotary axis but this 2 sided technique will work perfect untill that happens.

Thank You!

[JOM]

Dirtdiggler,

It’s pretty easy to create the tabs in Rhino.
I think it could be more automatic if making a Rhino-script for it.

Here is a video for how to create the tabs in Rhino.
http://www.madcamcnc.com/madCAM42/madCAMShowVideo.asp?link=Qg_m6wSXwIU&title=Two%20sided%20milling

Joakim

[dirtdiggler]

Hi Joakim,

I have some more questions if you don't mind.

-In Madcam Expert, can you or someone else explain the easiest way to do a 4 sided cut using a vertical rotary table? I want to be able to attach my rectangular stock to my manual rotary table and turn/index 90 degrees, mill it, turn 90 degress mill again, and so on.... I do not have the table automated (4th axis) yet but I wiil soon.

-Is there a way to post process the 90 degree increments all into one file automatically at the end?

- Is there also a way to view the above on the 'simulate' player, for instance simulate the stock being rotated and the tool cutting each 90 degree side?

- When I use the '3 Axis' mode I noticed that when I create a toolpath on top and flip the stock and create a tool path on the other side that 'Simulate' will show the toolpath cutting on the incorrect side unless I flip the stock back. Is this just the normal way the preview works or am I doing something wrong?

- In your demo videos (which are very helpful), I see you have the rotary table animated in Rhino... is this something I create manually or is this a feature in the new version? Either way it is cool, I was just wondering if I'm missing that I can open up in 4.2.



Thanks for your help!

[turmite]

Hi DD,

I will answer best I can in side your text! BTW Joakim is away on vacation.

Originally Posted by dirtdiggler Hi Joakim, I have some more questions if you don't mind. -In Madcam Expert, can you or someone else explain the easiest way to do a 4 sided cut using a vertical rotary table? I want to be able to attach my rectangular stock to my manual rotary table and turn/index 90 degrees, mill it, turn 90 degress mill again, and so on.... I do not have the table automated (4th axis) yet but I wiil soon. Sorry but to get it to work automatically, your table has to be automated. That does not mean you cannot make the part doing it the way you describe, but you will need to make 4 programs and stitch them together if you want it all in one code. -Is there a way to post process the 90 degree increments all into one file automatically at the end?See above response as it is going to be the same. - Is there also a way to view the above on the 'simulate' player, for instance simulate the stock being rotated and the tool cutting each 90 degree side? - When I use the '3 Axis' mode I noticed that when I create a toolpath on top and flip the stock and create a tool path on the other side that 'Simulate' will show the toolpath cutting on the incorrect side unless I flip the stock back. Is this just the normal way the preview works or am I doing something wrong?If you are using 3 axis and rotate a part, you have to reselect the part after rotation to keep the tool path oriented properly. This was something I had to learn the hard way! - In your demo videos (which are very helpful), I see you have the rotary table animated in Rhino... is this something I create manually or is this a feature in the new version? Either way it is cool, I was just wondering if I'm missing that I can open up in 4.2. I may be mistaken, but I don't think the animation is in Rhino, but in the simulator. On the other hand, this may be a video I have not seen, so if you don't mind, post a link. Thanks for your help!

Hopefully this has been of a help to you.

Mike

[dirtdiggler]

Originally Posted by turmite Hi DD, I will answer best I can in side your text! BTW Joakim is away on vacation. Hopefully this has been of a help to you. Mike

Hi Turmite,

Thanks for the reply and help! I'm beggining to really like MadCam alot the more I use it. I found a simple way to do the 90 degree increments with my rotary table that I was talking about using the '5 axis menu'.

What I did was the following:

Start with your rectangular stock in Rhino (needs a flat surface on each side). Orient object on the center of the axis in Rhino > select 'for tool calculation' > select cutter > select options> select 4-5 axis > select 3D rough. Let it rough the top. Now select: '5 axis c plane' menu and 'Set C Plane to object'. Next select one of the 90 degree sides of the stock (this orients the c-plane to that side) > select 3D rough. Let if rough that 90 degree side. Then I just repeat this on the bottom, and the other side. When I view in 'Simulate' it rotates the stock perfectly at 90 degree increments along the center axis and draws the toolpath correctly. Very cool!

The only thing I need to do is just put a piece of code after each 90 degree turn to pause the job so I can rotate the rotary table manually. I'm still running the trial so haven't been able to test the code out but I can't see any issues with this method right now.

-DD

[turmite]

Yep that will work and I have used it, but I didn't know if you were wanting to edit the code or not. Without an automated a axis, you have to edit the code to add the pause.

Glad to have helped. Have you noticed that the more you tinker with MadCam, the more you find little tricks that make it even more fun to use?

Mike

[dirtdiggler]

Originally Posted by turmite Have you noticed that the more you tinker with MadCam, the more you find little tricks that make it even more fun to use? Mike

Yes, it works great once you get the swing of it.

I will admit that at first it took me a long time to just figure how to get some basic cutting paths. The instruction are a bit vague for starting off, but once you get the swing of it it's very powerful and easy. It's also very fast at creating the toolpaths, wow!

I use Mach 3. As far as post processors for this I see it has 'Mach3 5 Axis' and 'Mach 3' . If I am doing the 90 degree cuts using a rotary axis like I described above which post processor would I use for this?

Thanks-

[turmite]

Helo DD,

Yes I think I would. You can customize the posts to your needs, for instance in your case, a M1 pause to manually rotate the axis, but I think you will need to delete the actual rotational move and edit it to just tell you where to rotate the fixture to.....Kinda like a gentle reminder. What you really need to do, is concentrate on getting a motorized a axis.....I promise you it is a lot more fun!

Mike

ps I don't know for sure, but I think Joakim will be back from vacation this week