RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] WHICH CAD AND CAM SOFTWARE PRODUCT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR MY APPLICATION & WHY?

Marcus, et al:

Regarding Fred's support of VectorCAD. I p

| -----Original Message-----
| From: Marcus & Eva [mailto:implmex@...]
| Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2001 8:02 AM
| To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
| Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] WHICH CAD AND CAM SOFTWARE PRODUCT WOULD
| YOU RECOMMEND FOR MY APPLICATION & WHY?
|
|
| Hi Eric:
| If you have lots of money to spend, get Featurecam by Engineering
| Geometry systems.
| It is an excellent package for beginners, and is powerful enough for most
| general machine shop users.
| A better, but slightly more arcane product is Mastercam. This is the one
| that I am using now.
| A lot of CAD CAM EDM DRO list members are using VectorCAD from
| IMS Services.
| The buzz appears to be that it is adequately powerful, but a bit "unusual"
| to learn.
| It is WAY cheaper than the others I have mentioned.
| The general consensus appears to be that Bobcad is crummy, and that the
| support is dreadful.
| I can't speak from personal experience on either Vector or Bobcad, but I
| know from his posts that Fred at IMS (Vector) is very
| knowledgeable and very
| helpful, not just to his customers but to list members who have asked
| questions unrelated to his product.
| I think that this speaks volumes for the service you can expect from IMS,
| and in your position, this is probably the way I would go as a hobbyist.
| Cheers
|
| Marcus
| -----Original Message-----
| From: Eric Mack <glee@...>
| To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
| Date: Tuesday, October 02, 2001 7:51 PM
| Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] 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
| >
| >
| >
| >
| >
| >Addresses:
| >FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
| >FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
| >
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| >bill,
| >List Manager
| >
| >
| >
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| >
|
|
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| FILES: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO/files/
|
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| bill,
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|
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