CAD/CAM for Instrument Contours?????

[NardisAmps]

Hello,

I have been wanting for a while now to make some violin tops / backs, along with some other instrument parts on my 3 axis CNC router. Currently I'm just making 2.5 parts for guys building tube amps (including myself) and I'm using OneCNC Express.

Here's my question.... Across the board, whats the BEST and easiest to use CAD/CAM software for designing and cutting the contours associated with musical instruments??

Would a good 3D mechanical design program work the best? What about compared to a program designed for the wood industry (like ArtCAM)?

Like I said, I'm currently using OneCNC Express (2.5D) and for what I'm doing now, it works like a DREAM. So, would upgrading to Pro or Expert be advantageous or a good route? Or should I look at different suite all together.

For the most part I know you get what you pay for. So I don't expect to get something for nothing. I'm not even prepared to shell out the dough for a program of this caliber right now. Eventually when I do though, I want it to be the right one. Does anyone know anything about AlphaCAM? A friend of mine in the Solid Surface Counter top biz is very proficient with it and he acts like its the trick for many things. Instruments?

PLEASE....somebody shed some light on the subject. Thanks in advance!

Best Regards,
Nardis

[ger21]

A lot of people use Rhino for the CAD end.

[rlrhett]

I have used several, and likewise have found Rhino to be the only one I could successfully model a violin/cello/archtop on.

Now, see my other post about the neck!!!

[NardisAmps]

Is Rhino just a CAD program, or does it have a fully functional CAM end to it?? Just curious, what are some of the other programs you have tried Rhett?

[turmite]

Originally Posted by NardisAmps Is Rhino just a CAD program, or does it have a fully functional CAM end to it?? Just curious, what are some of the other programs you have tried Rhett?

Rhino is both cad and a 3d modeler but has no built in cam. I personally use Madcam, and if you already have onecnc, you can get Madcam free at least for a while. It is a promotion leading up to the release of RhinoV4 and the matching version of Madcam.

I am not 100% sure, but I think OneCnc can open Rhino 3dm files directly. You might check to be sure.

Mike

[NardisAmps]

Hmmm..... What about programs that have both CAD / CAM in one?? How would ArtCAM compare in this category??

[rlrhett]

It is not common for CAD packages to incorporate CAM as well, but some exist. ArtCAM certainly allows you to develop the model and generate toolpaths, but it is insanely expensive (I believe somewher in the zone of $7K for just the software).

TurboCAD sells a TurboCADCAM that incorporates the CAM. I'm not such a fan of the TurboCAD screen layout and tools. I have used AutoCAD and Alibre, but neither incorporate CAM. There is a package called Dolphin that incorporates both, but I have no experience. Rhino CAD with the MadCAM plug-in seems the best value to my mind.

[RandK]

Originally Posted by NardisAmps Like I said, I'm currently using OneCNC Express (2.5D) and for what I'm doing now, it works like a DREAM. So, would upgrading to Pro or Expert be advantageous or a good route? Or should I look at different suite all together.

+1 on Rhino for modeling as XR2 isn't well suited for freeform work so upgrading to Pro or Expert would be a waste. Rhino tutorials, help files, manual, and training are excellent and files import well into XR2. You would need to upgrade to advantage to pick up 3d CAM functionality but you'll get more than enough toolpath options for that kind of work. I don't think the integrated CAD+CAM is that big a deal anymore (I used to) but you could check out RhinoCam which is the addition of Visual Mill integrated in. I have VM and it's good but I rarely use it anymore. Rhino is on the cusp of a major version upgrade so buy from somebody like OB.com (pref), Novedge etc and get the V4 upgrade included when it is available.

[NardisAmps]

Thanks for all the replies! It appears that Rhino is getting a lot of thumbs up. I'll definitely look into it! Any more suggestions are very welcome though! RandK - Thanks for the idea of just upgrading to advantage, rather than pro or expert, that might help in a couple ways.

-Nardis