Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CAM software recommendations

Hi Derek,

For 2.5D, try SheetCam <www.sheetcam.com>. It isn't free but you can
request a free 1 month evaluation license to try it before you buy. For
3D there is Meshcam <www.meshcam.com>. There is very little low cost
software for the lathe unfortunately.

Les

Derek Mackenzie wrote:

> Hello all
> Apolgies in advance if this has been covered recently. but when I
> tried searching the posts I got swamped by results, probably my
> criteria were too broad, but if you narrow them too much you tend to
> miss things.
> I have been using CNC lathe and mill for the last seven years to
> produce casting masters and very small production runs of parts for
> Gauge 1 live steam locomotive models.
> I am looking to replace the CAM software for generating G-code for
> both the lathe and the mill - preferably free or low cost - has anyone
> recommendations?
> The mill and lathe are controlled by a Windows XP box running Mach3.
> Mill tool paths are currently generated by MillWizard for 3D, but this
> can only move the tool parallel to the X or Y axis which wastes too
> much time and produces a poorer finish than can be acheived by
> following contours. Lathe and 2.5D milling tool paths are generated
> with Dolphin PartMaster. The problem with the latter is I am running
> version 8 (not the current version) and having just wiped the C drive
> to overcome Windows XP problems I have lost the licence. It turns out
> the old version is unsupported and they have no way of giving me a new
> licence. Very odd - their support used to be exceptional, but has
> suddenly become non-existant. I hate copy protection systems -
> particularly when they prevent you from using something you have
> legitimately purchased. For this reason I do not want to pay their
> high price for an "upgrade" to the current version.
> Thanks in advance for any recommendations
>
> Derek Mackenzie
>