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17-10-2021 #8
Like Muzzer says a lot depends on the type of materials and machine you are using because some software has tool-paths that are more suited, like Vectric software mostly caters to wood and plastic users so as dedicated tool-paths like V-carving, Inlay's, etc. Fusion can do this or be made to do this but it's not as simple or optimized as Vectric software.
Likewise, Fusion and Solid works are really better suited to milling rather than routing so they offer tool-paths that are better suited to this task with more options than say Vectric software would provide. It's horses for courses really.
Personally don't like Fusion and prefer SW, my son Jared, who works with me now loves Fusion and he does nearly all our cutting now, so I design them in SW send him the model which he Cams up in Fusion. Whatever gets the job done works.! Plus Fusion is way cheaper than SolidCam so I don't mind.
Like most things with CNC what works best isn't always straightforward and often several ways to get the same job done. One man's method is another man's nightmare, we each have restrictions or budgets that come into play so what works for some doesn't for others.
Hobby users have different needs or restrictions to business users, time is a big factor for business users which often isn't for hobby users. Then you have to ask your self are you starting as a hobby user with the intentions of turning into a business.?
If so then you may want to look at digging deeper and buying more capable software because when I mention time being important to business users I'm not just meaning the cutting time.? You have to factor in the time to actually Cam the parts, the programming of parts can take hours, and here again, the machine type plays a part.?
For instance, a milling machine has a relatively small table size compared to say an 8 x 4 router, so you'll program a low number of parts to fill the table which will obviously take less time than it would an 8x4 table. So software which as features like nesting can save hours of time for users with large machines.
But in general, if you are going to turn a hobby into a business think about the time savings the software can offer in Both camming up and cycle times, also think about the learning curve associated with each software.?
For instance, I'm a Wiz with SW and can produce parts and models in a very short amount of time and because Fusion is very much like SW you'd expect I could do the same with it but I've spent weeks trying to bond with it and just can't or don't get on with it, why.? I don't know! ... We just don't fit.!
So you need to factor this into the mix if you are going to chop n change, no point starting with hobby-level software if you are going to be a business because the learning curve could be massive.
This is why Vectric software is a good choice for hobby wood users looking to expand or upgrade because they learn the same controls and methods as the higher-end software so the learning curve is small, it's only the cost that stings!-use common sense, if you lack it, there is no software to help that.
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.jazzcnc.co.uk
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