For CAM ... Maybe think outside the CAD/CAM Overkill Box ... Kipware® conversational software.
Kentech Inc. - Real World Machine Shop and CNC Software
Looking for a easer to use cad-cam software. Have Albire Pro and Spurt CAM now. It is a pain to use. So now my question is what do you guys use 2.5 D mainly?
Carl Boe
For CAM ... Maybe think outside the CAD/CAM Overkill Box ... Kipware® conversational software.
Kentech Inc. - Real World Machine Shop and CNC Software
While I am kinda jealous you have the software you do because I would love to be able to afford that I have been using Sheetcam which is a pretty decent 2.5d software that is reasonably cheap. I have yet to find anything easier to use. It is only 2.5d tho but it supports tapping and other nice features and I hear tell that it may add lathe functions soon as well as possibly some 3d down the road a bit. I have made all sorts of stuff with it and it always produces good code for me. Some of the products from vectrix get real good reviews if you do not need 3d as well. If you do need 3d I have heard real good things about using the bobcad interface in solidworks but that is pretty pricey stuff.
I am curious as to what it is you find difficult in your current setup. It seems to have a lot of nice features and lots of options. Peace
Pete
SprutCAM can be a challenge, but it's not that difficult once you start getting the hang of it. I still have my moments with it, but any questions I have are quickly answered here:
SprutCAM forum (Powered by Invision Power Board)
I'm not trying to steer people away from this forum, but the SprutCAM section here is not very active.
If you already have the software, it seems a waste to buy something else.
See my post over in this thread:
I highly recommend Vectric's VCarve Pro.
Get a Solidworks seat and HSMWorks 2.5D CAM package is available for free.
PM-45 CNC conversion in-process. Silly engineer wants to be a machinist.
www.binaryeng.com
CAD-CAM in one package is the future I think, no matter which software you choose, the primary is to ask yourself what you need exactly. Besides integrated CAD-CAM, if you need complex sheet metal design, get the package which provide the good capability for sheet metal, if you need Mold design, get the package which is good at Mold.
I have Vcarve pro, which is certainly nice for more simple parts. I really don't like how it retracts after each pass when pocketing though. It really wastes a lot of time. You have to go and edit the code manually afterwards if you don't want it to do that.
For 2.5d stuff I use Sheetcam. It's excellent software for the price, dead simple and very quick to use and also does thread milling which is handy.
After reading the above I just bought Vectric cut3d. I'm pretty impressed so far, it looks to be a pretty decent 3d cam package for not a lot of money.