Re: Software

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "stevenson_engineers" <machines@n...>
wrote:

> > > All the toolpaths are generated from a flat
> > >2D drawing.
> >
> > How can it do 3D surface milling from flat 2D drawings?
>
> Same as Bobcad, one profile for the XZ one for the XY.
>

Bobcad has the 3D skin function, very similar to that found in
Vector. It calculates a 3D offset for a ball or bull nosed cutter
from a quilt square 3D surface definition. Are you saying this
capability is also in Dolphin? Is this what makes it complete?

> >
> > >Dolphin is the only low cost program that is complete
> >
> > Does Dolphin have all the features of Mastercam, Gibbs, Surfcam,
> Pro-E,?
> > How can it be complete if it doesn't have all the same features?
>
> Get real Fred, is Mastercam, Gibbs, Surfcam, Pro-E low cost??
> No way. The annual maintainance fee is more than Vector costs.

Complete is complete. If I said that Vector was complete, someone
would take me to task for using weasel words. I do the same.

> >
> > > with CAD, mill,
> > >4th axis, lathe , post and comms - no extra's.
> > >I defy anyone to name another package that has these features.
> >
> > Vector has all these features and a lot more in the basic

package.

>
> Is 4th axis in the basic page ?
> How about screwcutting?

Absolutely. I just posted tonight on a msg from Tim G., how to use
Vector for cylinder engraving. Bobcad 17 has about the same
capability. I'm also sure you have seen me post this link before:
Free threading program

http://www.vectorcam.com/thread.html

This program creates multiple passes for single point threading and
saves them to a file that Vector uses to create G-code. Anybody that
asks me about threading usually gets the word how to use it.

Wayne Hill, a member of this group has written a nice program that we
usually offer to commercial customers with a non-discounted Vector
purchase for lathe programming. It does 99% of all cycle work for
turning(drill, tap, threading, reaming, grooving,chamfer, peck
drill,etc), without any drawing needed. Just fill in the blanks and
gen the code. Wayne usually offers a good discount to list members
so I don't usually mention it much here. Most Hobby controllers
don't support the cycles, so the only benefit is multiple start
threads. Most hobbyists don't try to machine them.

>
> > We ship Vector Cam with the posts for all the stable hobby
> > controllers(about ten of them). How many posts with Hobby

Dolphin?

>
> 78 Mill posts, 27 lathe posts, ALL user configerable to do what you
> need.

Hmmm. Seems to be some discrepancies about how many posts are
included in the Hobby version.

> >
> > John, for someone who claims no financial connection, you sure
> > sound like a CAD/CAM salesman. Why didn't you mention that
> > even though you have Vector, it's the Cad-only version?
> >
> I don't sell any CAD/CAM programs. I am not a salesman, I an just

an

> everyday user who thinks very highly of the product.

You *still* sound like a compensated salesman.

> Fred, as you rightly say I do have the Vector CAD only version that

I

> bought direct from you. I actually only bought this to get the
> current manual. I also have a genuine copy of Vector CAD/CAM. I

think

> it's V8. This was given to me, with licence disk, by a guy in the
> States who bought it direct from you. Full version, full price not
> the hobby list deal.
> He spent three months trying to get to grips with it and gave up.
> It just appeared in my mail one day.

How convenient. As I recall I also sent you a demo version at one
time when you couldn't quite get your arms around Bobcad.


Best Regards,

Fred Smith
IMService