CAM software recommendations
Posted by
Derek Mackenzie
on 2008-10-27 18:29:20 UTC
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
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
Discussion Thread
Derek Mackenzie
2008-10-27 07:05:00 UTC
CAM software recommendations
Leslie Newell
2008-10-27 13:57:39 UTC
Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CAM software recommendations
Derek Mackenzie
2008-10-27 18:29:20 UTC
CAM software recommendations
Keith Bucklitch
2008-10-28 03:20:06 UTC
Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CAM software recommendations
vrsculptor
2008-10-28 07:17:42 UTC
Re: CAM software recommendations