|
|
|
CAD/CAM Opinions & Comments Don't count on the idea that higher priced software is better. There are companies out there who's existence is based on customers who feel better if they pay more. All software has a learning curve. While some are more difficult than others, you can generally count on spending a good deal of time with a program before you're fully conversant with it. If you place an hourly value on your time, your investment in terms of hours spent learning the software can easily exceed the cost of the software itself. Fully integrated CAD/CAM can offer certain advantages over separate CAD and CAM programs. When you use separate programs for CAD and CAM, you will generally save the geometry info from CAD in a neutral file format such as DXF, IGES, or STEP file, then read that file in the CAM program. If your design involves several iterations, you may find yourself starting from scratch in CAM every time you read in a new version of the CAD drawing. With a fully integrated CAD/CAM program the CAM machining operations are linked to the CAD geometry. In most situations, if you modify the geometry such as moving a hole, changing a depth, or other simple CAD geometry changes, the CAM operations will automatically update. While the Alibre CAD & SprutCAM combination offers far more features and has more sophisticated controls than TurboCADCAM, Alibre and SprutCAM they are separate programs. TurboCADCAM is a single program with the CAD and CAM functions well integrated into one package. Both the drawing and the machining operations are stored in a single file. If you know G&M codes, you can program the machine directly, without using a CAM program. We believe that people who manage to "get by" without CAM are missing the boat. Once you have mastered a CAM program your ability to translate ideas into real parts becomes tremendously more efficient and your part designs are no longer limited to simplistic shapes. On the flip side, operators are bound for frustration if they depend on CAM software for 100% of their machine code. If the machine takes a turn or cuts a line that you had not intended, your ability to understand and correct the problem is greatly enhanced if you understand a few of the common G and M codes. Even if you create all your codes with CAM, you're better off if you understand a bit of the language. The PCNC 1100 has a proper and conventional implementation of the RS274D language. If your CAM software does not include a post for the Tormach PCNC 1100, look for a POST for Mach2, Mach3, or a generic Fadal post. Any of those should work fine. TurboCADCAM is a derivation of the famous TurboCAD program. TurboCAD is a leader in the low cost CAD programs. TurboCADCAM has the entire TurboCAD Pro software at its core. Most low cost CAM programs that claim some CAD functionality are frustrating at best when it comes to editing the geometry. TurboCADCAM is a full featured, easy to use CAD program with built in CAM. Alibre is a mid-level CAD program. It is often put on a comparison chart right next to SolidWorks, Pro/Engineer, or Mechanical Desktop. In mid level CAD programs (those between $1000 and $20,000), Alibre is clearly a value leader. It is considered by many to be the best value in solid modeling CAD programs. Alibre has excellent product support and some great tutorial tools. SprutCAM comes from Russia. It has an excellent manual, good help files, and tech support via email. Never the less, it might not be the program for you if you prefer to use phone support. On the plus side, you would be very hard pressed to find the functions or features of SprutCAM in anything even close to the price. It supports multiple axis machines allowing codes that fully utilize the PCNC 1100 4th axis option. With a wide variety of 3D machining operations the program is up to most complex tasks, including mold making. In the UK, SprutCAM is sold as the high level Dolphin CAM product. Learn more about it here. |
|
|