I just though it would be good to have a thread where we can discuss the diffrent cad/cam's. So anyone getting started can get a good idea of what he should look for.

Personaly ive only used mastercam. Ive used both mastercam lathe and mill. Does anyone know if mastercam Mill Level 1 will operate a 4th axis rotary?

Right now im looking for a cadcam who can do 5 axis that dont cost a ton.

Also im looking for a cadcam that you can import splines and elipses from autocad right into. I work with alot of splines and elipses at work and i always convert them over and its a pain.

Mind an short explaination of what a cad and cam are?
Cad is the 3d interface, cam i sthe program that translates between design program and the hardware?

Cad is design software. This is where you design what you would like to make.

Cad/Cam is the program to Generate Codes for the machine to run off. This is where you program how you want to cut the parts out.

Now on some machines like the high dollar cnc mills and lathes they have controles on them. But on our cnc routers we computer connected to them with controls. So we need Control software also. This is where Mach3 comes in. Mach3 is a CNC Control Software. Mach3 takes the Codes and sends it to the machine.

Hopefuly this helps out some. Joe should post to !

So one of the reasons i am asking about this is because i am thinking about using this for more commercial use. it seems i remember someone else on here talking about using one of joes machines for use in a cabinet shop and that is exactly what i am thinking about using it for. So my first problem is figuring out what a cabinet shop is likely to use one of there machines for. But the main reason i am asking today is to say that i dont have the software that i need right now and i was wondering if someone would have any advice on my problem. Here is my problem. I want to design simple things for my machine to cut out for application in a cabinet shop. Is there a good combination of software for what i am talking about? One of the things i want to be able to do is design, for instance, a shield on a chest top. So i need to be able to carve things that are going to be a bit more complex than simple letters or cutting out parts. If i design an object that is flat on the back, like a 2.5 dimensional object, am i going to be able to send this to a cam and get it to carve variable depth reliefs? Can they import objects like this? or is that one of those things that i am going to need to do entirely in the cam program?

Thanks for your input.

most cabinet shops (I own one) use their cnc's for nested cutting of basic cabinet parts, it's the sign makers who I see doing more intricate carving detail with their cnc machines you can use any number of 3d design software titles that support exporting to dxf files or file types that your cam software you choose will support.

For what you would like to do you are going to need Afew diffrent programs.

As for the Control Software. Mach3 will work fine.

For the Cad Program. Any of them will work. Just finding one you are comfortable with.

The one thing you will need is a good cam program. Now i dont have alot of experance with the cam programs. I have only realy used one of them. I use Mastercam 9.0. Which Mastercam does make a Mastercam Router. But i use the mastercam mill package. Mastercam will do what you want. So will others but im not sure which. Maybe Joe can tell you if the one he uses can do it or not. I would think most of them can do 3d engraveing.

I think i can get a hold of Lazycam, it is supposed to be free, but maybe i am mistaken? My impression from reading is that it is free if you buy mach3?

I dont really know. Sorry,

As for nesting... I saw that word all over the place but i didnt know what everyone was talking about, but it seems that this is just what i am talking about. The guys at the shop are going to need something simple to helo them just cut out certain parts. I was planning on actually designing things and then just setting up the machine to do things for them. So if they ned such and such they just go over to the machine and with the press of a few buttons theyt will have the part they are looking for. This is just what i am talking about. So where do i get lazy cam?

nesting is where a program takes all the various parts you progam in and positions them automaticaly on your stock material for best yield cutting down on your waste, and as you said it would make repetitive cuts.

This might be a little off topic but since we are on the general topic...

What kinf og setup do you have?

Same as you, nothing yet. I'm in the process of building a small unit I purchased the parts for from joechevy. I have plans for a 5' X 12' unit which I wqant to do after I use the smaller unit to help with the sub assemblies, I am going to use either bobcad or master cam for my work or cabinet vision which is designed for nesting. I work alot with laminates and 5'X12' is the largest piece you can get so could use this for possible inlaying or rough sizing.