Re: V32 vs. V21 My thoughts
Hello BNR_RANDY! You sound just like I did when I finally gave up V21. It's a big adjustment for sure, but if you would like some input from someone who made it a success I'd like to share a few tips.
I'm on V31, started with V21 and I've had nearly every version in between. I perfected my post somewhere around V25, and the only edits to the post I've made is really due to BobCAD improving the post processing engine and I took out some of the custom programming that I had to put in there to get the "perfect code".
I don't have the multi-axis module for BobCAD but I use V31 to post to my 5 axis Haas all the time using 3+2 indexing. I don't do NC edits, ever. Post it, edit file, re-post it, I don't even save the code anymore when the job is done. It can definitely be done! It is going to take a little work, and a little education.
When I bought another (much more expensive) CAM system, I thought it would just be perfect right out of the box. Nope, I had to learn how to edit the posts because I was right back to massaging the code to get what I wanted. I'm very particular about code structure, maybe a little OCD about it.
Tool speeds and feeds? Nope, the much more expensive CAM system wasn't any better there either. That's on you and your particular setup/workholding challenges. There ARE ways to make it easier and more automated, but it will require an investment of time to setup your materials for the HP and rigidity of your machine and tooling. But the best part is, you only really have to do this stuff once!
Frustration is normal. Once you get there I promise you won't look back. I keep upgrading BobCAD because it's so quick for me to punch out quick programs and send them to the machine, perfectly verified with total machine simulation. You'll get there too!
Good luck, and keep plugging away! There is a wealth of information here on BobCAD posts and hundreds of years of experience with the guys on this forum.
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Mastercam X9/2017 Multiaxis for SolidWorks - Bobcad V29 3ax Pro 4ax Std.