Madcam vs. Rhinocam

[Dan.antes]

I have used Rhinocam but do not have the current version for Rhino 4.0. Can you enlighten me on the benefits and differences between the two. Is Rhinocam/Rhino Art worth the extra money?

[turmite]

Originally Posted by Dan.antes I have used Rhinocam but do not have the current version for Rhino 4.0. Can you enlighten me on the benefits and differences between the two. Is Rhinocam/Rhino Art worth the extra money?

Hi Dan,

Do you have Rhino 4? If so, go to the Madcam website and download the Madcam 4 demo.

You will find that Madcam has most of the toolpath strategies that RC has though they will be named diferently and some may be inside some of the other toolpath menus. Madcam 4 comes fully packaged with remachining, 4th axis auto indexing as well as 5th axis indexing via user input. Do a little comparison between the two packages and you will quickly see the difference.

If you are interested in acquiring Madcam 3 or 4, contact me via pm with your email address. There are some changes coming to Madcam's marketing but I am not at liberty to make any announcments.

I am the US re-seller for Madcam as well as support.

Mike

[pointcloud]

I would not trade rcam rart for anything else.

[zamzak]

Madcam does not have arc movement with G2/G3 command, this is for me a big difference with Rhinocam. G-code made with MAdcam is sometimes simply too big for my Morbidelli

[etzz]

Does Rhinocam provide G2/G3 for 3D model toolpaths as well as 2.5D?

I had been looking at this also a few days ago.

Here is a related thread in the general CAM discussions:

Arcs and Stepping question?


Thanks,
Eric

[turmite]

zamzak I have sent Joakim an email requesting him to answer this one for you, but I am sure it will be Monday before he checks his emails. As for the file sizes, I have used gcodes from Madcam, Mastercam and Bobcad/cam and the Madcam files have been the smallest so far. I'm not saying you don't have the problem, and I can for sure see where the G2/3 would reduce some of the lines, but for me that hasn't been an issue.

etzz, why don't you download Madcam and compare them side by side? I think you will find an easy to use system even though it doesn't do G2/3 arcs.

Mike

[zamzak]

G02/G03 is no issue for 3D (programs is large with or without). Problem is, when I make 2D parts with simple V-carving on it and have for one piece 10000 steps and make 10 or more at one CNC table. Program is simply too large to handle (Morbi's Xilog has its own interpreter from txt ISO G-code to his G-code) and take too much time to calculate, sometimes up 1/2 hour.

Yet make programs with Bobcad (make usable G-code, but CAD section is ..... horrible), but want to buy CAM software for my Rhino, to make work faster and without opening two or more CAD/CAM software at one time.

I found at Rhino3D page MADCAM, i think this software is just what i need, after make some test codes i realize, that doesnt't have arc movement.. i just can't believe it.
But after all, MADCAm is made por Mold&Die and not so much for us... woodworkers

[pointcloud]

Why not run a script to use the same code 10 times?

Also I have had programs with 1,500,000 plus lines and no troubles?

It's not much problem to make something HUGE and clog up a computer..

If your files get big in rhino mesh them, and hide the nurb.... Make sure to use layers and name them properly.... This will not help g code size but the two inconjunction = GIANT...

[zamzak]

Pointcloud, you probably don't have Morbidelli Workcentre with XILOG.
Xilog has it's own limitations. It's his problem and not Rhino.

[turmite]

zamzak you are correct that Madcam was made for mold and die making, but Joakim has been adding many features requested by wood workers, myself being one of them. There are many new features that were designed just for wood workers, some specifically designed for cutting of sheet goods. My suggestion, is email Joakim and ask him for the G2/3. I have been in contact with another Madcam user that wrote a script that will take the Madcam output and run it through a converter and so as to be able to use G2 and 3. I haven't had a need personally, so haven't pressed the issue, but I will also contact Joakim to see if this is something that can be incorporated directly into the program.

Mike

Originally Posted by zamzak G02/G03 is no issue for 3D (programs is large with or without). Problem is, when I make 2D parts with simple V-carving on it and have for one piece 10000 steps and make 10 or more at one CNC table. Program is simply too large to handle (Morbi's Xilog has its own interpreter from txt ISO G-code to his G-code) and take too much time to calculate, sometimes up 1/2 hour. Yet make programs with Bobcad (make usable G-code, but CAD section is ..... horrible), but want to buy CAM software for my Rhino, to make work faster and without opening two or more CAD/CAM software at one time. I found at Rhino3D page MADCAM, i think this software is just what i need, after make some test codes i realize, that doesnt't have arc movement.. i just can't believe it. But after all, MADCAm is made por Mold&Die and not so much for us... woodworkers

[pointcloud]

You are correct.... I do not have that type control... Is it PC based?

[turmite]

zamzak I sent you a pm.

Mike