BobCAM – ANy experience

[IanHParticipant @ianh]

Hi,

I have a busy CNC mill with Mach 3 on board and have found that almost everything I need to do can be achieved with 2 1/2 D machining. I bought Vectric Cut 2D and can not recommend this highly enough.

Looking now at true 3D machining I spotted BobCAM.

I have been searching the Internet for user reviews and have found little to commend this product.

I can’t decide whether this is because the program is truly awful or because people are comparing it with commercial products at far highr prices. At the end of the day it has to work of course – does anyone have any experience of BobCAM?

Ian

[IanHParticipant @ianh]

Looking for user experience

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Ian,

 

Have a look at this thread.

 

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/cad-cam/time-shop-upgrade-bobcad-cad-cam-224038/

There are some good points made here, also never take their first second or third offer.

It can be had for under $500

[IanHParticipant @ianh]

Just thought I would provide a bit of an update – I did invest in Bobcad and here are some results. The parts shown in the photo are all lost wax castings produced from aluminium patterns machined in “proper 3D” with tool paths generated by Bobcad.

 

I find the 2D drawing a bit querky, but there is always a way to do what I want – it just isn’t always obvious. The same is probaby true for the 3D modelling capability as well, although I do drop back into Solid Edge which has a lot more “horsepower” behind it.

 

The CNCZone forum is outstanding for providing support if you do hit a problem.

 

Ian

[StyxParticipant @styx]

Hi Ian,

If you want a program that converts STL files into G code then have you seen DeskProto ? It is a really user friendly program and you can download a fully fuctional 30 day trial.

Steve….

[IanHParticipant @ianh]

Hi Steve,

 

Thanks for this,

 

Just had a super quick look at DeskProto and I might be wrong but on the face of it, it falls into a class of programs (like Meshcam for example) that generate tool paths for a surface – perhaps one face of a model. Whilst great for some classes of work (softer materials or low profile sculpting say), the problem you run in to with this type of program is their inability to define efficient machining strategies able to move significant amounts of material in roughing tool paths prior to one or more finishing tool paths with your fine tools to impart the surface finish you are after.

Note that when I say efficient I am not talking about comercial production, I mean practical strategies – the pattern for the larger casting shown above still has a significant number of machine hours in it.

BobCAM by contrast alows me to identify areas of the model to be treated differently, rather than consider it as one complete surface. I can then define a roughing tool path using using a large tool to remove the bulk of the material quickly. I can follow up a really large tool with a smaller tool getting closer to the finished shape without machining “thin air”. Then I can define my finishing tool paths with my 1/8″ diameter ball end mill or whatever.

It is horses for courses as usual.

Ian

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