How many users?

[S4 Monster]

Hi All, was just wondering how many of you have looked at or are using SprutCAM?

I have been using it for about 18 months now and am very impressed with it's ease of use for both 2D and 3D work.

This software is getting better all the time, I hear that Version 4 should be out early this year with a new interface, the current one is brilliant so I can't wait to get a look at it.

It will be nice to compare notes with other users...........

Dave

[Sergey_S]

Hi Dave!
I work on a Foundry company. Considerable proportion of the models we receive from customers in IGES, prt (UG), prt(ProE),x_t(Parasolid). In CAD area we use UG,SE,ProE.
90% of work in CAM we perform in SprutCAM. We have 10 working places of SprutCAM and 15 working places of NCTuner. For components processing we use about 80 milling machines.
SprutCAM advantages:
Powerful strategies for 3D machining.
Effective import module.
Convenient interface.
Best “Price to Quality” criterion.
SprutCAM disadvantages:
Lack of module for 5axis machining.
Insufficiently fast works Simulation.
Sergey S.

[S4 Monster]

Hi Sergey S,
It's good to hear from you, and welcome to this new forum.
I see that you are in Nab. Chelny which is also the home town for SprutCAM.

It sounds like you have plenty of experience with SprutCAM, it will be nice to have your input here on this new SprutCAM forum.

How long have you been using SprutCAM?

I agree entirely with your advantages and disadvantages list.
I think that the speed of graphics will hopefully be addressed in Version 4.
I personally do not require 5 axis machining (at the moment) although I have produced several programs for 5 axis positioning.
Talking with the guys at Sprut, they are hoping to implement live 4th axis later this year, with 5 axis to follow.

Dave

[Sergey_S]

Hi Dave!
I've been using SprutCAM for six years. Before that I utilized SprutT3(DOS,Mill), SprutNC(DOS,Lathe), SprutEDM(DOS), and also I worked with PEPS and CADDS.

I constantly keep an eye on CAM-software development, especially on the software with the SprutCAM level (SurfCAM, VisualMill, AlphaCAM, SolidCAM and so on).
I think that today SprutCAM better suits for components processing. We produce foundry rig for components moulding as shown on the picture.

Sometimes I consult with specialists from SPRUT-Technology, Inc. This year they have great plans concerning SprutCAM development. I hope they manage to fulfill their projects as they intended.

[S4 Monster]

Hi Sergey,
You must know SprutCAM very well....
The image in your last message was of quite a complex part. Is that a typical part that you would cut with SprutCAM?

How long would it take you to get from importing that model to producing CNC code?

If you have any digital pictures of some complex parts you have produced with SprutCAM, could you post some up here so that we can see what SprutCAM is really capable of?

Do you use SprutCAM for mostly 3D work, or do you use it for 2D also?

Dave

[Sergey_S]

Hi Dave!
Generally we produce machine elements approximately as difficult as it was shown on the picture. There are also more difficult machine elements and common ones.

To produce such machine elements it is necessary to make a set of molds. For molding production you have to make working molding parts and units of graphite and copper electrodes.
To develop an entire complex CNC program for producing this model rigging it took about 70 hours.

I made some pictures of molding high part and ready casting. I apologize for pictures' low quality; I made them without proper preparation.

Most part of our work we do in 3D and less in 2D.
4D we use rarely.

Sergey

[Sergey_S]

Ready casting.

[S4 Monster]

Thanks for the pictures, this is quite a complex part.
This looks like an engine cover of some sort, is it mainly automotive parts that you are producing using SprutCAM?

For anyone that is interested in giving SprutCAM a try check out my updated download page by using the 'Links' button at PressGo CNC Ltd
There are also some tutorials in *.pdf format to get you started.
The demo version does not require activation, and is identical to the full version with no CNC code created.
The 'Full' versions require activation, but will produce CNC code and will remain active for 30 days.

Dave

[furry]

I've just come across this package and it certainly looks comprehensive in its toolpath abilities... Although I use mastercam regularly, looking forward to trying this one out simply because it has similiar capabilities with a much nicer interface.

Good to see some real work as well.. good job Serge!

EDIT: Have used this for quite a few hours now and I can get it to consistently crash in a number of ways.. Anyone else found this ? Bit disappointing really as it looks quite good.

RE-EDIT: Have tried this on another pc and it seems more stable. Maybe it's hardware related. A nice program although the verification needs some work to improve both quality and speed.

[Krisz]

The new toolpath verification is going to be released before the end of this year or early next year.
They are working on that already and they redesigned the 3D engine for the verification so it will be much faster and much more accurate.