Which Software

[John S]

Yes sorry about that.

We still really need feedback, no good suggesting Mastercam X if all he wants to do is cut engraved dog tags.
I use a few different programs and tend to pick one that suits the job. I have Cambam but to be honest I have never got round the playing with it to learn it correctly instead I tend to rely on programs I have more experiance with.

Anything fancy involving text or what I class as Arty Farty, and no disrespect here, I use VCarve Pro from Vectric.

2 1/2D work on engineering parts I use either Dolphin or Sharpcam, both very similar and you can fine tune them to get the best tool path.

3D work which I try to avoid as much as possible I use an early version of Sprutcam, decent program but a very large learning curve.

.

[Normsthename]

Vectrics Vcarve and CUT3D will do pretty much everything

Andy

[Jonathan]

I've just come across 'Freemill'. Installing it now. Here's the direct link to save you signing up (not that that's any trouble):
http://www.cncportal.com/FreeMILLInstaller_1.0.1.exe

[Jonathan]

Wow, it's *incredibly* similar to QuickCAMpro by Denford, to the point you might say one copied the other....except QuickCAMpro costs money and has a few more options!

[John S]

Very similar to Vectric's Cut3D although Vectric has more control over the part and tooling, you can do a roughing path and finishing path with a second tool.

BTW I tried tried Freemill but it refuses to post saying "Failed to write to external file " ?

[Ricardoco]

Sorry its taken a while to reply, Work!!! Some people have asked what i would like to use the machine for, well obviously i would like to use the machine within and upto its limitations but if i must commit myself I would like to be able to produce a few motorcycle parts including fork yolks (I do a little motorcycle restoration), Aluminium being the order of the day, some parts complex and some not so, Maybe in the begining i will do some wood test pieces. I would like also to be able to produce logo's with text on the pieces... I suppose what i would like is for the system to ask me a number of questions defining my basic requirements with fine tuning after that, as ive no experience, if thats not possible then i leave it upto your superior wisdom

Hope that helps a little..

[Ricardoco]

Ive looked at Vectric Aspire, Its a nice piece of software with cool videos, I Reckon I could be using that in no time but the price is just too high, maybe once i get more experience i will go with something like that but for the moment..... NOooo...

Rick

[GeorgeD]

I would like to be able to produce a few motorcycle parts including fork yolks

Do eggs play a part in the components of a bike,Rick??

Sorry couldn't resist that one. :naughty:

It was meant to be a Yoke

[Ricardoco]

Do eggs play a part in the components of a bike,Rick??

Sorry couldn't resist that one. :naughty:

It was meant to be a Yoke

LOL dont you ever sleep??? and as I said 2mins.....

[Jonathan]

Having looked just at a picture of a motorbike yoke I I'm pretty sure you could make that quite easily with the free version of CAMbam.