Re: Software for Lathe

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "bhagavan" <skbhagavan@v...> wrote:

>
> $2000 for capsturn sound pretty resonable to me...considering what
>it seems
> to be capable of. For similar functionality I've been quoted $3500
>+ by
> other CAM vendors.
>
> Email support is good enough..how does it matter which country it
>comes
> from..it should be prompt and in English. So far I have had no
>problems.
> Also, the amount of support you need depends on how well the
>program is
> written etc.. I got going with capsturm within an hour with out much
> problms. I did have some questions on the post which cadem guys
>emailed me
> a post for my lathe the next day and free of charge.
>
> SKB
>
>

All right lets get the cards on the table here. I cannot comment on
Capsturn as I haven't used it but I have used Capsmill, the full
version, not the demo.
If you look on their web site and download the mill demo you will see
some example files. One is a gearbox case and another example is a
two layered finger plate.
Both these files are mine. They were sent to Cadem as the Version 5
mill software wasn't able to cut these. Version 6 was released with
these files as demo files. Cadem has no authority to use these files.
I have contacted them and also posted this in public before but they
take no notice.
This isn't sour grapes as I'm not worried about the files, just the
fact that the software couldn't do anything this simple. The effort
they put in to sort this was pathetic. Emails went unanswered and
when answered took days. I make a point when asking questions to list
and number all the points.
If I ask 8 questions I expect 8 answers.
No way most I could get was about 3 or 4 answers and some off topic
remarks.
Remember we are only talking about a 2 1/2D package here, no 3D, no
engraving, no 4th axis and for $2000 it well over priced. There are
good CAD / MILL / LATHE / POST and COMMS packages around for under
$900 all with engraving and some with 4th axis.

I must admit it's a pretty program and it has some bells and whistles
but I'd sooner make chips / money than play with pretty programs.
They put a lot of store on the cutting power chart. Fine on some big
rigid machining centre where they can take massive cuts but hardly
relevant in the small world.

Like I said previously it's not sour grapes, I spent my money and
tried it, but as regards value for money it a non starter.

John S.