Re: BobCAD/CAM v.s. Dolphin CAD/CAM

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "imserv1" <imserv@v...> wrote:

>
> Why? What's the difference? How can you control a theoretical tool
> path that is created on the fly as John is so fond of accusing
>Vector
> of creating G-code? Because Surfcam does it that way? No way, I
> much prefer to have all the toolpaths as an editable, selectable,
> configurable set of entities. Creating toolpaths on the fly is what
> makes Bobcad so hard to understand. You never have a chance to
> correct a toolpath until the G-code is generated.

Fred, perhaps we could get a clarification here.
It's been a long while since I played with Vector, in fact it was the
v7.0 demo you sent me some yeras ago. I have V8.0 that was given to
me but I've never used it. Also others on this list may not be
familar with Vector.
How does v9.3 generate code?
does it:-
[1] Generate code after each operation is selected?
or
[2] Generate gode at the end of the program when all operation have
been selected and organised?

I would call the first on the fly as if the code has been written
there is no way to enter anything earlier in the code other than by
manual editing.
The second I would call post processing

> >Case in point: Clean pocket. "clean pocket" sure looks
> > like it works exactly like the old bobcad. If you select a circle
> in your
> > drawing without offsetting a line to represent 1/2 the diameter
>of
> the
> > tooling you want to use, It uses the parts circle line as a
> toolpath.
>
> It's supposed to. Clean circle is a Wire EDM function. You always
> use cutter comp for wire, hence the cut goes to the line. Did you
> notice there is no Z depth, for wire edm

Fred perhaps a note to Centrifore to consider putting the program
into seperate modules so that operations special to a type of mavhine
doesn't show on anither. I presume the manual mentions this is an EDM
operation?

> Yes it will, but you missed the important thing, we want to keep
> Vector simple. In Holland they call it the "machinists handy
>tool",
> or something like that. >

Get rid of the arrows then and introduce automatic offsets.
This will clean up te screen. A cluttered up screen with extra paths
that have to be drawn on it can't be classed as simple.

> Right now we are in a major development of new capabilities. These
> capabilities are about to be plugged in, after over 2 years of
> intense development. Even with that effort, however, we still came
> out with 2 (TWO!) major releases in 2001.

V9.3 has only just been released as a paid upgrade. Why not wait and
incorporate the whole lot together? Will the new capabilities also be
paid upgrades?

>
> 2002 is the tenth year anniversary for Vector and coincidentally it
> is also the ten year anniversary for IMService. If you think we

are

> going to curl up and rest on our laurels, change your
> prescriptions! ;-)
>
>

Good of you Fred, No one is asking you to curl up. Change is was is
needed and is good for the industry. Look at Bobcad to see where that
is , buggy program, no support, bad comments and their V18 is as
eleusive as the Holy Grail.

John S.