Re: Dolphin

>--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., tcsibor@v... wrote:
> There has been a fair number of positive comments on Dolphin
>Software
> and I recently received a demo. The one question I cannot seem to
>get
> an answer on is the cost of the software. I have requested this
> information by e-mail, but no reply.
>
> Has anyone on the group purchased this software and can tell me the
> price?
>
> Thank you
> Tom Csibor

Tom,
There are three versions of the software. One is the full commercial
version, Windows CAD CAM, full 32 bit long file names etc and the
other two are special Home Shop versions. The older V 5 that is sold
by Quantum CNC is I believe shortly to be discontinued as it's the
older DOS version and is to be replaced by the Home Shop version of
the full V6.0 commercial version.
The only differances between these versions, besides price, is the
fact that the Home Shop version is locked onto a post processor, so
it can only produce code for one machine.
Basically this has been done so that a commercial venture can't
obtain a copy and then use it commercially on different machines.
Dolphin has got one of the best post processors out for Heidenhain
machines, something not seen much in the home shop. So if you have a
home shop version locked to a generic G code post then it's useless
for commercial Heidenhain posts.
The program comes with CAD, Mill, Lathe, Gear, Post, Comms and 4th
axis, all built in. No extra's to buy.
It's got to be THE simplest program out there and I've tried most of
the low end and mid range packages. I have even bought some of the
others to try but they all required editing, some more than others.
No having to create offset toolpaths, smash text, draw approach and
departs, all this is done automatically.
The editing facility is awesome, you can run through many different
ways to machine something without having to touch the drawing or even
generate one piece of code untill you are happy with the job. Then
hit post and I get a perfect post that goes straight to the machine
without any editing
It will accept dxf's no matter how they are drawn in relation to path
and direction. You feed all the information into a 2D drawing so all
you have on the screen is the part you want to machine.
Lathe means lathe and not two axis of a 3 axis mill program. Lathe
means turn, profile, undercut, screwcut, groove, part off and more.
I can't answer about cost as I don't sell the program. I have a full
commercial copy and use it most days. I am more than pleasd with the
product.

John S.