What software do you use?

[SND]

Hi,

Just wondering what software you guys are using to run your Tormach?
I don't have one yet but I'm starting to look at the software options. I'm new to cnc but I've been doing manual machining for years. I figure it will take me a little while to figure out exactly what I need. I'm not familiar with any programs yet and I never drew anything on a computer other than on Paint and it was ugly.

Generaly I receive drawings in .PDF for adobe. Is there any program that would allow me to use those files and turn them directly into Gcode to feed to the machine? Most of my work would only require 2.5D but I want 3D option as I may do a few molds and such and I don't want to limit myself.

What is better for drawing normal parts to be machined, Rhino or Alibre?
For the cam part Madcam seems nice, I just looked at the website but haven't tried anything yet.

I assume that in order for this to work on the Tormach, everything still has to be run thru mach2? so I would need something like Rhino, Madcam, Mach 2 all working together ? is that right? would it work?
I want good programs that I can learn without too much trouble. Something fairly fool proof. Onecnc is out of my budget unfortunatly.


Any info would be great.

Thanks

[MichaelHenry]

I don't have a Tormach yet, but design parts in Alibre and am planning to use SprutCAM Expert for the CAM part of the sequence. As I understand it, the sequence would be designing the part in Alibre, exporting the design to SprutCAM to generate the G-code for tool paths and importing the G-code into Mach 2 to machine the part on the Tormach. From what I can tell the Mach2 software that comes with the Tormach includes some wizards that can be used to do quite a few standard machining operations without the need for anything other than a drawing on paper.

I'm not sure that there is a good way to go from a drawing in PDF format to CAM, but a Google search might turn up something if nobody else here replies.

I'm under the impression that Rhino is better for complex curves than Alibre, but could be wrong there. Alibre does what I need pretty well, which is mostly designing parts for R&D test systems in engineering applications.

Mike

[lakeside]

I started looking at a tormach and think it not a bad little machine for the price. You can use any software you like to send the code to mach 2.What you should do is down load as many demo as you can and try them out. I have Bobcad for home use. You can pick-up a copy of version 20 for around $500. That will give you full 3d drawing package and 3d cam package.You also may want to see if your local vo-tec has a night class in auto-cad.Even if you are new to cad/cam the autocad class is a good start

[dirbikidnma]

ok,
we just recently had our tormach delivered in july this summer, we use the pcnc for runnin gcode, and I as the programmer use mastercam X, i beleive strongly that this is the best program EVER! you can do your designing and posting, you can import basically any file type from autodesk, autocad, solidworks, etc... you can even trace jpg's and bmp's its got everything you need and TONS more.
hope it helps
Nick Altizer
EliaPaintball.com

[MichaelHenry]

Nick,

What does MasterCAM cost?

Mike

[MichaelHenry]

Hi Nick,

I'm just a home shop machinist with no real hope of recovering the investment, other than pleasure or satisfaction. I've yet to hit the lottery, so $10k is pretty much out of the question, but I wouldn't hesitate to pay that if I could see a financial payoff.

So far I've managed to keep all my software legal and I'd rather keep it that way.

Mike

[dirbikidnma]

If you learn all the cababilities of the program, and with the use of the tormach, you could make yourself a fortune. Be it selling prototype designs to larger scale corporations, or just small production runs of ipod cases, cell phone covers, molds, artwork, etc... the possibilities are endless. but as well you can do alot of things with other programs but the technology is just not there that you get with mastercam. Ive been using the program for about 3 years now, 1.5 yrs on version 9 and 1.5 years on version X, and every day i learn something new about it or become more efficient at using the program, but its up to you what you do.
Hope I've helped
Nick

[MichaelHenry]

Nick,

Thanks - the original question on cost was posed in case SprutCAM doesn't work out for me. I've been reading a lot more on CNC the past few months and have come across quite a few other CAM names, but not much in the way of cost and the manufacturers web sites don't often seem to have that info readily available.

FWIW, a friend fell into some part time business doing manual machining for a friend with a business. He's getting $50/hr + materials, which doesn't seem half bad, though there are no fringe benefits. If he needs some CNC mill work he might throw it my way and the cost issue would then change.

Mike

[zephyr9900]

One piece of software that I'm eager to try when the Tormach comes is the Freesteel adaptive roughing: http://www.freesteel.co.uk/ There is an online interface, though they will email you the standalone program if you ask them.

I have done dry runs, but not been able to try it on actual material yet--running TurboCNC on my Sherline mill it pauses at each inflection point, which is counterproductive with the Freesteel algorithm since it is all curves. But the Tormach with Mach2 controller should be ideal for this.

In general, I use Sheetcam for 2.5D stuff (i.e. pocketing, outlining vertical walls, and holes), and Meshcam for 3D surfacing. The two programs are complementary and suit my needs well.

Several years ago I did try a time-limited demo of Visualmill from Mecsoft, and found it easy to learn, though its roughing algorithm needed improvement (it tended to skip around a lot). For an intermediate CAM software, Visualmill Basic at $1k looks like a decent deal.

For 2D I use VersCAD for Windows (I've been using VersaCAD since 1989) and for 3D I use Solidworks at work and the free Alibre Xpress at home.

Randy

[zephyr9900]

Originally Posted by SND Generaly I receive drawings in .PDF for adobe. Is there any program that would allow me to use those files and turn them directly into Gcode to feed to the machine?

I don't know of a direct route, SND. But you can use the freeware Ghostscript ( http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/ -- get the GSView front end also) to convert the PDF to a DXF, which Mach2 should be able to import.

I use Sheetcam for 2.5D, and import DXF from my 2D CAD into it. Sheetcam is great, since I can put pockets, outlines, etc. on individual layers of the DXF and assign depth, depth increment, stepover etc. for each layer.

Randy

[m callan]

i use unigraphics nx at work