[Dan.antes]

I have used Rhinocam but do not have the current version for Rhino 4.0. Can you enlighten me on the benefits and differences between the two. Is Rhinocam/Rhino Art worth the extra money?

[turmite]

I have used Rhinocam but do not have the current version for Rhino 4.0. Can you enlighten me on the benefits and differences between the two. Is Rhinocam/Rhino Art worth the extra money?

Hi Dan,

Do you have Rhino 4? If so, go to the Madcam website and download the Madcam 4 demo.

You will find that Madcam has most of the toolpath strategies that RC has though they will be named diferently and some may be inside some of the other toolpath menus. Madcam 4 comes fully packaged with remachining, 4th axis auto indexing as well as 5th axis indexing via user input. Do a little comparison between the two packages and you will quickly see the difference.

If you are interested in acquiring Madcam 3 or 4, contact me via pm with your email address. There are some changes coming to Madcam's marketing but I am not at liberty to make any announcments.

I am the US re-seller for Madcam as well as support.

Mike

[awesometools]

MADCAM is worthless for beginner like me when there is not tutorials for beginner - it is 3 weeks now since I bought MADCAM 7 5X --- I managed to get it to work on the 4 axis ( confuse like hell with Simulteanous VS Index in both 4X and 5X ' I do not have 5 Extra version) --- all tutorials videos does not have models to download so beginner like me can follow to learn. I regret to buy MADCAM - I did not know what to choose between Rhinocam or Madcam - even thought MADCAM affordable more than Rhinocam --- I am willing to pay for TUTOR who can help me - I have no issue with 3 axis - I have issues to understand and setting the 4 axis & 5 axis on my Trunion table especially the (Simultaneous & Index feature) --- i tried so hard learning the 4 axis Simultaneous and got this to come out. I have no clue what I am doing but I am happy to explore --- it is funny the model bouncing and turning like madness, I really do not know what is going on and got so frustrate https://youtu.be/cIAqu0fzYX8

[pointcloud]

I would not trade rcam rart for anything else.

[zamzak]

Madcam does not have arc movement with G2/G3 command, this is for me a big difference with Rhinocam. G-code made with MAdcam is sometimes simply too big for my Morbidelli

[etzz]

Does Rhinocam provide G2/G3 for 3D model toolpaths as well as 2.5D?

I had been looking at this also a few days ago.

Here is a related thread in the general CAM discussions:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62189


Thanks,
Eric

[turmite]

zamzak I have sent Joakim an email requesting him to answer this one for you, but I am sure it will be Monday before he checks his emails. As for the file sizes, I have used gcodes from Madcam, Mastercam and Bobcad/cam and the Madcam files have been the smallest so far. I'm not saying you don't have the problem, and I can for sure see where the G2/3 would reduce some of the lines, but for me that hasn't been an issue.

etzz, why don't you download Madcam and compare them side by side? I think you will find an easy to use system even though it doesn't do G2/3 arcs.

Mike

[zamzak]

G02/G03 is no issue for 3D (programs is large with or without). Problem is, when I make 2D parts with simple V-carving on it and have for one piece 10000 steps and make 10 or more at one CNC table. Program is simply too large to handle (Morbi's Xilog has its own interpreter from txt ISO G-code to his G-code) and take too much time to calculate, sometimes up 1/2 hour.

Yet make programs with Bobcad (make usable G-code, but CAD section is ..... horrible), but want to buy CAM software for my Rhino, to make work faster and without opening two or more CAD/CAM software at one time.

I found at Rhino3D page MADCAM, i think this software is just what i need, after make some test codes i realize, that doesnt't have arc movement.. i just can't believe it.
But after all, MADCAm is made por Mold&Die and not so much for us... woodworkers

[pointcloud]

Why not run a script to use the same code 10 times?

Also I have had programs with 1,500,000 plus lines and no troubles?

It's not much problem to make something HUGE and clog up a computer..

If your files get big in rhino mesh them, and hide the nurb.... Make sure to use layers and name them properly.... This will not help g code size but the two inconjunction = GIANT...

[zamzak]

Pointcloud, you probably don't have Morbidelli Workcentre with XILOG.
Xilog has it's own limitations. It's his problem and not Rhino.

[pointcloud]

You are correct.... I do not have that type control... Is it PC based?

[turmite]

zamzak I sent you a pm.

Mike

[dirtdiggler]

How does Madcam expert compare to Rhinocam pro in terms of features. Madcam is almost $1500 less than Rhinocam pro right now. Can Madcam pretty much do the same as Rhinocam?

Athough I'm not going to be making molds I'm going to be making some bike parts out of aluminum and plastic prototypes for people. I need some 2.5D features and drilling capabilities and it looks like that is covered in both Madcam and rhinocam. Any thoughts on the two programes side by side?

[turmite]

Dirtdiggler if you are going to be making mostly 2d type parts, get the entry level Madcam. It is a lot less expensive and will do everything you need, plus still give you lots of 3d options as well. One thing to keep in mind. The entry level version of Madcam is what Joakim (the software writer) used for years making molds! The expert level has 4 and 5 axis strategies and a few more 3 axis goodies than the entry level. If you don't need it, don't spend the $$.

Mike

How does Madcam expert compare to Rhinocam pro in terms of features. Madcam is almost $1500 less than Rhinocam pro right now. Can Madcam pretty much do the same as Rhinocam?

Athough I'm not going to be making molds I'm going to be making some bike parts out of aluminum and plastic prototypes for people. I need some 2.5D features and drilling capabilities and it looks like that is covered in both Madcam and rhinocam. Any thoughts on the two programes side by side?

[dirtdiggler]

Hi Mike,

I'm not going to be making any molds but I'am going to be making 3D part... for instance maybe a bicycle stem, pedals, or a plastic shell of a cell phone. So I need to be able to at least mill one side and flip the stock and mill the other side. I have my eye on a rotary axis but if I can get away with flipping the stock over and milling each side at first using the entry level Madcam than that's what I will probably do. Is two sided milling pretty easy with the entry level? I demo'd cut3D which is a raster type software but it's dead simple for doing the type of 2 to 4 sided cuts. Madcam is obviously much more advanced with what it can do with the cutter, but I need to make sure it's the right software for the type of stuff I will be making.

Thanks for your feedback.

[JOM]

Dirtdiggler,

It is possible to cut 3D parts with madCAM as well as cutting molds.
You can also do two sided milling by flipping the model with toolpaths in Rhino.
The toolpaths can be post processed from one side at a time if using the entry level or all in one setup with the expert level if using a 4-axis machine.

If you like, please have a look at this two sided milling video.
http://www.madcamcnc.com/madCAM42/ma...ided%20milling

Joakim

[dirtdiggler]

Hi Joakim,

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I'm starting to do simple 3D two sided milling so this video helps a lot. Is there a way to add the tabs in automatically or do I just add them in on the model in Rhino?

My future purchase is going to be a rotary axis but this 2 sided technique will work perfect untill that happens.

Thank You!