Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Digest Number 1353

[Hey guys, it's "MillWizard" not "millVizard" (spelling counts when you use
search engines). Aside from that I concur with what Matjaz has to say.
MillWizard is good for 3d contoured parts, but not for 2-d cutouts or 2
1/2d pocketing, etc. It uses a "rastering" strategy, basically laying
parallel toolpaths next to each other to define a part, which is good for
contouring of complex 3d parts, but an inefficient way to cut out letters,
pockets, and 2d parts.

For this sort of thing, you'd want to use something else to write your
toolpaths. I like a program I've been testing called Rams (stands for
Routing and Machining Software), which, as Bob Campbell pointed out, is
also a good complement to Rhino. Since it's strictly a g-code writer, and
doesn't try to combine this with a design function, it's simpler to use
than programs that try to do it all. Like MillWizard, it is "wizard"-based,
using an interface strategy that steps you through the process of selecting
a tool, setting feeds and speeds, and stacking up multiple toolpaths to
arrive at a finished part. It has a nice simulation feature, which shows
what the finished part will look like when a selected set of toolpaths are
run. Its heritage is in the sign-making industry, so it is best at raised
and engraved lettering, but they are busy adding new functions, with the
aim of becoming a full-featured NURBS-based machining program (it's not
there yet, although they promise that upgrades will be free for quite a
while as features are added.) I was sufficiently impressed to add it to my
product line, and will be selling it at a discount starting next week, when
(I hope) the copies I ordered will arrive. Meanwhile take a look at the
demos at www.rams-software.com (they have some nice technology for
presenting live and canned demonstrations online) .

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com



"tauseef" <alieron@...>
Subject: Re: Vectorcam, bobcad, rhino3D, which one??

Hi Matjaz,
thanks for the responce!
I will look at millVizard and try out the demo version of rhino soon.
thanks
tauseef

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Kos" <kos@e...> wrote:
> Hi List!
>
> As probably many of you active listers have stated before, what
Tauseef needs is a CAD package (to list some of them: AutoCAD -
$2k+ , Turbocad - free, Rhino $0.8k, others....), a decent CAM
package (MillVizard - not so expensive, BobCAD - $0.8k, .....) and a
proper G-code interpreter (Stepster - free, K-Cam - was free, how
some $, .....) So to stay below $1k would not be a major problem, you
just need to know what you want to do...
> For design I can say (by experience) that Rhino would give most
bang for buck, especially if you do 3D designs with freeform surfaces
(I designed a $200k product with it and seen many other projects
done....). Than CAM, you need to know if you are going to do 3D
freeform jobs or just 2.5D pocketing and routing. At this stage
MillVizard might be usable in conjunction with Rhino (which is by the
way one of the best (and cheapest) data translators available....)
but if you do 2.5d pocketing and routing BobCad might be usable (I
found it can not read complex 3D freeform surfaces...)
> With MillVizard you need STL file which can be produced with Rhino
(free fully functional demo available at their web site...) for any
type of object...
> This is all for 3 axis milling.
> Four and five axis is a different story. For This I would go with
professional controls (Siemens, Bosch, Fanuc.......) and CAM package
(Mastercam, UG, ProE....), unless the fourth axis is indexed and used
for engraving simple geometry. Than manual programming can be used
(in conjunction to 3 axis CAM package).
> Just my opinion, no commercial interest,....
>
>
> Matjaz
>
> ***********************
> Hey guys!
> I have been looking into some of the 3D CAD/CAM programs and would
> like to know what you guys think. Mainly I am looking into buying
> this year and am trying out some of the demos for now. Any hints,
any
> likes/ dislikes? Mainly the program would be used for fun and maybe
> someday to make "real parts." I have a sherline mill (using CNCPro)
> with a 4th axis but find 4D programs to be very expensive. What ya
> guys think about vectorcam compared to rhino3D or bobcad? None of
> them good? what would you buy? I would like to stay around the $500-
> $1000 range (I know there is mastercam, surfcam, gibbs etc). If you
> don't feel comfie telling "the truth" here please feel free to e-
mail
> me personally..I promise I won't tell :)
> thanks!!
> tauseef
> **********************
>

Andrew Werby - United Artworks
Sculpture, Jewelry, and Other Art Stuff
http://unitedartworks.com