Re: Dolphin Cad / Cam

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., cnc002@a... wrote:

> Has anyone here had much experience with Dolphin Cad/Cam?
>
> I need to know if the post processor can be customized for any CNC
>controller
> so that one doesn't need to do a lot of editing after the geometry
>is drawn
> and processed. My customer had been advised, by someone else, that
>BobCad
> was the way to go. However, they have NO experience and therefore
>would like
> a relatively inexpensive software package that will allow them to
>go from the
> geometry drawing to the CNC program, including any custom M codes,
>etc.,
> without the need to create Macros and then insert them into the
>code via and
> editor.
>
> Also, will Dolphin support the mixed use of absolute and incemental
>values
> and multiple subroutines with nesting?
>
> Their website doesn't really answer many questions but what I see
>does look
> good.
>
> Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> Randy Abernathy

Randy,
I use Dolphin most days in a commercial setup.
I am just a user of the software, I don't sell it so I haven't an axe
to grind.
The post processor in Dolphin is one of it's main points. It's an
actual post processor and not a configuration file that writes code
on the fly like Bobcad. You only get the post to produce the code
when, and only when you are satisfied with the final result. The post
processor is a straight forward text file that can be altered in
notepad or any other editing program of your choice.
Custom M codes can be inserted in the post where needed.
There is even an insert command where you can enter a one off command
anywhere in the code as you are doing it.
Anything is possible in the post setup. Even machines like the
Anilaim where all the tools need to be listed at the top of the
program with offset lengths. If you select a tool at the end of the
program after all the previous operations the tool will still be
listed at the top of the program where it's needed.
I can truthfully say that the ONLY manual editing I have to do is
possibly a change of feed or speed if the material will allow it.
Dolphin will support mixed incremental and absolute moves.
Subroutines are also handled by a purpose subroutine dialog box that
can be inserted in the program.
As regards nesting there is no such automatic direct command that can
fit the parts onto a certain size sheet of material.
However this can also be handled manually by the step and repeat
dialog box.
I have placed two screen shots of the respective dialog boxes on my
web site
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/machines/repeat.jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/machines/subroutine.jpg

John S.