Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] BobCAD/CAM v.s. Dolphin CAD/CAM

In a message dated 1/2/02 3:56:45 PM Eastern Standard Time, mszollar@...
writes:

> I'm just getting started in the CAD/CAM world and have begin to
> review the different options for CAD/CAM software. I'm looking for
> reasonable price (this is only for a hobby), easy to use and full
> featured (in that order; see hobby note). I've been playing around
> with Dolphin (and like it) and have just downloaded BobCAD and will
> play with that as well. I've looked at a few others but most others
> have been confusing (IMO) likely because I don't have a background in
> CAD/CAM or they where CAD only, requiring me to use a separate CAM
> package (IMO CAD/CAM in 1 package is a plus).
>
> Has anyone else done any eval of the various (lower cost) CAD/CAM
> systems? I'd be curious to hear from you if you have; it may save me
> (and others on the list) time and $$).
>
> Please; this email is not intended to begin a war; I'm just curious
> about the good/bad of the various packages.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken
>
>
>
>

Ken:

There is really no comparison between BobCAD/CAM and Dolphin. Dolphin has a
genuine post processor which can be custom edited or written so your code
comes out virtually without the need for editing it. With BobCAD you will
always need to edit the code to insert any custom M or G codes other than the
standard G0, G1, G2, G3, G90, G91 and any other "standard" G codes. With
BobCAD it is necessary to create macros and then after the toolpath has been
created you insert these macros into the code at the appropriate locations.

On the price side, right now if Michael is still offering it, you can get
Dolphin for $400.00 U.S. if you are on this list (which of course you are).
When that offer is ended the price will increase considerably but will still
be quite reasonable compared to many of the packages with similar features.
For instance, I have been using APS for DOS written in 1992 by Licom in
England. This package retailed for around $15,000.00 U.S. and the updated,
Windows version, AlphaCAM is similarly priced. The Dolphin package seems to
do as much as these much more expensive software packages do with regard to
normal 2D drawing and then converting to code for the machine.

Hope this helps out.

Regards,

Randy Abernathy
4626 Old Stilesboro Road NW
Acworth, GA 30101
PH/Fax: 770-974-5295
E-mail: cnc002@...
We service and install industrial woodworking machinery
Specializing in SCM / SCMI CNC Panel Saws and Routers


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