My first post, moving from design to chips. Been doing a lot of reading, here and elsewhere, but I can't say I've found an answer.
First, I have not decided on a machine that I will be using yet, but I'm leaning towards either a Syil X5 or a Tormach 1100... depending on the budget after all my bits and pieces (including a new workshop/shed) are built in. I expect to want/need 4 axis fairly early on. I am also planning on building/getting a CNC lathe. Eventually, if I can start making money with it, I hope to eventually move into a dedicated space with industrial machines. I have every intention to go to full five axis eventually. I am also looking at plasma cutting and laser engraving. This is a prosumer hobby, but I want it to become a prototyping business as soon as I'm competent. I have an existing business that I'm writing the stuff off against, and a client base in waiting.
Second, I use SolidWorks 2013. Integration there is a huge plus. I have had many of my designs become parts, but through third parties. It has not been a pleasant experience, and am sick of spending good money to get a hard time from local shops who either haven't trained staff to use their machine properly, or have no desire to do low volume. Alternatively, I've used Quickparts, which is pretty pricey.
I'm not looking for commentary on the machines themselves - this being a CAM forum, after all - but as it is now, I won't be able to install a machine that uses above 220/1. I want to find a CAM system that will be able to grow with me. Something that has post-processors for the hobby machines (or the ability to easily find them online, or make them myself), and can do simulation of non-standard machines. I have some ideas around building my own CNC machines, and it would be really nice if I could simulate a design of my making. I have limited time, and don't want to spend much time messing around tweaking G code unnecessarily, or crashing.
I have a lot of software experience, both 2D and 3D, and have done a fair bit of rapid prototyping on additive systems.
My budget isn't clearly defined - I am not afraid of spending money on good software, but I am already at the point where my subscription costs are over $10K/year, so I would prefer not to have to go into super high-end (ala mastercam) if I can avoid it. I do know that I really don't think that the low-end software will serve me long term, but there may be a middle ground I'm unaware of. I've come across a copy of surfcam that I can transfer, and it will cost around $10K, about half retail, for all the bells and whistles... but I also am leery on dropping that kind of cash not knowing what machine I'll be getting. (It does not appear to have a post for Tormach.) The closer it is to "press a button and it works" the better, but I certainly want to have the depth that I can use it across multiple machines, and the possibility of custom hardware.
As mentioned, I will be doing various prototyping, but will also be doing artistic stuff, scale models, whatever my skill set will allow that can be profitable.
Thanks in advance for your insight.
Kris.
First, I have not decided on a machine that I will be using yet, but I'm leaning towards either a Syil X5 or a Tormach 1100... depending on the budget after all my bits and pieces (including a new workshop/shed) are built in. I expect to want/need 4 axis fairly early on. I am also planning on building/getting a CNC lathe. Eventually, if I can start making money with it, I hope to eventually move into a dedicated space with industrial machines. I have every intention to go to full five axis eventually. I am also looking at plasma cutting and laser engraving. This is a prosumer hobby, but I want it to become a prototyping business as soon as I'm competent. I have an existing business that I'm writing the stuff off against, and a client base in waiting.
Second, I use SolidWorks 2013. Integration there is a huge plus. I have had many of my designs become parts, but through third parties. It has not been a pleasant experience, and am sick of spending good money to get a hard time from local shops who either haven't trained staff to use their machine properly, or have no desire to do low volume. Alternatively, I've used Quickparts, which is pretty pricey.
I'm not looking for commentary on the machines themselves - this being a CAM forum, after all - but as it is now, I won't be able to install a machine that uses above 220/1. I want to find a CAM system that will be able to grow with me. Something that has post-processors for the hobby machines (or the ability to easily find them online, or make them myself), and can do simulation of non-standard machines. I have some ideas around building my own CNC machines, and it would be really nice if I could simulate a design of my making. I have limited time, and don't want to spend much time messing around tweaking G code unnecessarily, or crashing.
I have a lot of software experience, both 2D and 3D, and have done a fair bit of rapid prototyping on additive systems.
My budget isn't clearly defined - I am not afraid of spending money on good software, but I am already at the point where my subscription costs are over $10K/year, so I would prefer not to have to go into super high-end (ala mastercam) if I can avoid it. I do know that I really don't think that the low-end software will serve me long term, but there may be a middle ground I'm unaware of. I've come across a copy of surfcam that I can transfer, and it will cost around $10K, about half retail, for all the bells and whistles... but I also am leery on dropping that kind of cash not knowing what machine I'll be getting. (It does not appear to have a post for Tormach.) The closer it is to "press a button and it works" the better, but I certainly want to have the depth that I can use it across multiple machines, and the possibility of custom hardware.
As mentioned, I will be doing various prototyping, but will also be doing artistic stuff, scale models, whatever my skill set will allow that can be profitable.
Thanks in advance for your insight.
Kris.