Why have you NOT bought a CAD/CAM system?

[Dolphin USA]

Why have you NOT bought a CAD/CAM system?

[ImanCarrot]

Cos every job I been in the lab had one already

[jrrdw]

I can't afford it, or the time to learn to use it correctly. It's one thing to do a 3D box playing around, but planing out a entire job (gear box or simular), is a nother. I can only day dream about it at the moment.

[Techmachineman]

Use many different.

[kreutz]

My case is probably an exception, I use Mach3 (demo) only to test stepper and servo drives, I don't have a CNC machine, that is why I have no need for CAD/CAM software.

Regards,

Kreutz.

[cgosnell]

Knowing which one will do the things I need is the problem, along with a good CAD system to design with. The combination of both can cost more than $2000. And is hard to justify for what is now a 'hobby'.

My first choice is Alibre CAD and their (Mecsoft) CAM, but this reasonable solution still costs $2000. Alibre is very good CAD software at a reasonable price.

[jrrdw]

Originally Posted by cgosnell Knowing which one will do the things I need is the problem, along with a good CAD system to design with. The combination of both can cost more than $2000. And is hard to justify for what is now a 'hobby'. My first choice is Alibre CAD and their (Mecsoft) CAM, but this reasonable solution still costs $2000. Alibre is very good CAD software at a reasonable price.

I've got the Alibre demo but it ran out before I got anything good out of it. Now I keep getting flyers to buy the full package to the price setters! Take his to!

[MrWild]

I haven't bought because they are too expensive. Sad/happy/bad/good part is they are found for free on the net if a person looks for them. Not that I'd condone such a thing mind you, but I think it'd be a lot easier to sell a hobby grade product for much cheaper, than to try to find every illegal copy out there. People generally try to be honest. Instead of spanking evil doers, I think the CAD/CAM folks should be looking at the available market and supplying it. There is supply and demand, but there is also volume marketing.

Here is an idea. Sell old/ancient copies of the program for cheap. People get into it, learn it, start following, and as they progress, they may buy a newer/more bells and whistles version. Software isn't a car. There is no huge cost of raw materials and labor to produce it. All it takes to reproduce old programs is a CD burner. The cost of developing is long gone ammortized. Now it could be a time of pure gravy. Why the CAD/CAM folks aren't selling old versions at cheap prices is beyond me.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by MrWild ....Here is an idea. Sell old/ancient copies of the program for cheap..... Why the CAD/CAM folks aren't selling old versions at cheap prices is beyond me.

To answer your final comment; because there is no money in that.

I would go beyond your 'sell old/ancient copies ... cheap'. I would modify Intellectual Property legislation so that if a company was not supplying and fully supporting a product, that is supporting it in the same manner and at the same cost as when it was originally introduced, then the copyright and patent protection on that product would automatically expire. In other words if some CAD/CAM developer stopped providing support for, let us say, Version 9 when they brought out Version 10, then it would be legal for anyone to copy and use Version 9. And I would not limit it to software; I said 'a product' and 'supplying and fully supporting', if a company holds a patent on something but is not making the something available in the marketplace I think the patent should expire within a year or so. Only those companies actively utilizing their patents should enjoy patent protection.

[AMCjeepCJ]

I have a whole slew of CAD packages... 3 versions of bobcad 17 20 and 21, 2 versions of bobart, alibre expert package with about every add on you can get, alibre express, cadkey 99, cadkey 21 or whatever it's called, the nextengine scanning software, the free version of rhino 3.0 for opening weird file types and it's good for 25 saves, a BUNCH of freebie things off the web, freedesign alibre version, the virtual clay modeling software from solidworks (coolest software ever made and it's free too boot!!!!), google sketch up, everything vectric sells and a few other programs on other computers...

The funny thing is that I have surprisingly little money into it all... Wait for sales or specials, email the guys to cut you a break and be patient... I get my copies of bobcad version 21 for $50 a pop straight from the factory, always have... Thats CAD and CAM along with all the post processors...

Alibre, I got an awesome deal on at one time too and paid for the three year at once maintenance thing for $49 a month for a year and then get 2 years free... Have you guys played with express?? It's awesome if you learn how to use it correctly!!

Even BobCAD 2007 was only $39 awhile back for the full cad version with a dongle!! CAD only but still, that's cheap!! Everyone ought to write or call them so they repeat the offer, they want $100 now unless you email the managers...

You don't need money to have a CAD systems, just an internet connection for the excellent free stuff and maybe $50 at the most for some better commercial grade software... The key is to NOT be in a hurry...

[COMMAND JOHN]

All I have is a nailgun.

[cyclestart]

Originally Posted by Geof I would go beyond your 'sell old/ancient copies ... cheap'. I would modify Intellectual Property legislation so that if a company was not supplying and fully supporting a product, that is supporting it in the same manner and at the same cost as when it was originally introduced, then the copyright and patent protection on that product would automatically expire. ..../etc/....

YES! At least some people have a clue! As an open source user, I have little use for long term software patents, the BSA, or their ilk. It would be interesting to know how many patents a company like MasterCam holds and how many they license from others. Do these high end software companies seriously believe their target market will move towards two-version-old unsupported software to avoid the fees?

To the original question, my simple mechanical parts are easy enough to hand code. The learning curve for the more complex cam programs is every bit as long as learning the gcode basics. Plus hand coding keeps the math skills sharp. Otoh if a Mozilla/OpenOffice quality open source project ever comes to life I'll be on it like a dirty shirt.