WHICH CAD AND CAM SOFTWARE PRODUCT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR MY APPLICATION & WHY?

The problem with posting this type of question is that it provides no
qualifying information for you to consider when replying. I know that
many folks have asked this question before with mixed responses. I'd
like to encourage answers to this question that will help other
newbies like me who I am sure, are dealing with the same question.

So, what that said, I will first qualify my situation and then
welcome the responses. My intent and hope is that this will trigger
many responses. I have cross posted this to the Sherline group and
the CAD/CAM DRO Group as I am involved in both, and, while the
Sherline folks may (or may not) be as involved with CNC, the answers
to the CAD question will certainly prove valuable to all.

OBJECTIVE: My objective is to be able to machine small parts for
robots that I would like to build. These parts include mounting
plates, brackets, gears, parts for grippers, pulleys, cams, etc.

EQUIPMENT: I have a CNC Equipped Sherline Mill with a rotary table
and an AHHA Controller. I will also have a CNC Equipped Sherline
Lathe with a linear encoder for threading. Finally, both machines
have a spindle motor controller.

CAD SOFTWARE: None, to speak of. I have downloaded various demos to
experiment with. It looks like I will have to gain much more
experience to be qualified to choose one. While the vendors are
generous in allowing 30 day free trials, I'm concerned that I'm not
able to learn enough in 30 days to be able to make a decision on a
package that can cost upwards of a thousand dollars.

CAM SOFTWARE: Again, None to speak of. I would prefer a package that
has the CAM functions built-in unless there is a reason that I should
not be considering this approach. Otherwise, see notes above.

CNC SOFTWARE: The CNC Controller that I have is based on an AHHA
Controller.

EXPERIENCE: I've been more computer oriented than mechanically
oriented most of my life. While I have no trouble putting things
together or designing things, I have only a small, make that tiny,
amount of hands-on machining experience. I understand the concepts
and I have been reading many books on the subject. So, while I am not
afraid to make shavings, I know enough to know that I need to be
pointed in the right direction when getting started.

LEARNING STYLE: I don't mind reading. I also value experimenting with
what I am learning. For that reason, I am collecting a pile of wood,
plastic, and aluminium blocks to make shavings from. I also enjoy
videos and watching/learning from others who are more experienced
than I am. I share this as some folks prefer to learn by doing vs
being taught. I'm game to either method.

FIRST PROJECTS: I took a handful of unique parts from my LEGO
Mindstorms kit. These include blocks, pulleys, gears, and the like.
My current thinking is that I would start with a basic piece such as
a block and try to design it and then plan the tool path to machine
it. I would reproduce this part until I get the process right. Then,
I would proceed to the next part. I like the idea of trying to clone
some LEGO parts as I can then use the real parts to see how well
things fit together. By the way, if any of you have a similar
interest in taking this LEGO approach or have others ideas, I would
like to hear from you.

BUDGET: Although this is a hobby, I like to do things well and I want
to learn how to do things right. I have invested a lot of money in
what I believe is good quality miniature machining equipment. I am
pleased with the conversion. Now, I have the enormous task of
learning how to produce parts with all of this stuff. So, while I
would of course like to spend very little, I'm also willing to invest
enough to do it well. Is that $500, $1000, $1500, More? My intuition
tells me that I'm probably looking at about a $500-$1000 purchase by
the time I add 4th axis support. I know that there are some excellent
no-cost products like Intellicad. There are also multi-thousand
dollar products intended for the Professionals who do this for a
living.

Ok, so, with the qualifying information here comes the big question:

"BASED UPON THE ABOVE QUALIFYING INFORMATION, WHICH CAD AND CAM
SOFTWARE PRODUCTS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR MY APPLICATION AND WHY?"

Thanks so much for your time and responses to this post. If there is
enough interest/response, I'm willing to explore contributing to a
FAQ to share this info with others.


Eric Mack