[IanRogers]

I apologize if this is overly broad, but I am new to CAD/CAM, and very interested in the Tormach mill.

What I really want to know is what software other Tormach users recommend for CAD/CAM and machine control(if required? I'm a little fuzzy.)

I have access, at work, to Solidworks, and I know that they use Mach3. I have no idea what else the designers use...

What I'd like to know is, what software do you use, with the Tormach, from design to milling? I want to create aluminum game pieces , which will require significantly more complex milling than I am capable of writing g-code by hand.

Thanks.

~ Ian

[Don Clement]

Ian: I use Solidworks to design with and SprutCam 2007 to generate the G-code from IGES files exported from Solidworks. SprutCam works well for me and is a bargain at ~$1K when bundled with the Tormach.

[Eccentric]

I'm not sure what kind of game pieces you are thinking of machining. But if they are mostly complex curve shapes then you might what to try one of the Open source modeling programs.

I would recommend Blender it's geared more to artist side of design then the mechanical. At least for now. But it has a huge community and many helpful tutorials to try. There is a video tutorial for modeling a pawn chess piece which might interest you.

You should be able to make your model and export it as an STL and then import it into which ever CAM program you decide to go with.

[MichaelHenry]

Can you provide an idea of your software budget and maybe link to a picture of a "typical" part that you'd like to make?

I use the commercial version of Alibre ($1-2k) for 3D design, SprutCAM for CAM, and Mach 3 for running the G-code on the Tormach.

I bought Alibre several years before the Tormach mill so was already familiar with it's use and I've been very happy with it for my hobbyist needs. SprutCAM was purchased with the Tormach and that's been a little harder for me to pick up but it does interface nicely with Alibre and has many capabilities that you don't usually get with similarly priced CAM software.

Solidworks is supposed to be a very nice CAD system and I'd probably go with that if I could get it through work for little or no cost. You might also want to look into Rhino if your designs will have a lot of complex curves.

Mike

[IanRogers]

I've been given permission at work to go through the Solidworks tutorials. I've done about 5 of them so far, and find it really interesting.

Budget? Cheap is good, free is better :O)

I know that Sprutcam is available with Tormach, but I've also heard very mixed reviews of it's functionality and ease of use. I'm nervous (when the time comes) to put out $1k, without knowing that the software is going to work for me.

These particular game pieces are two sizes of hexagonal tile, with game features built on top. Not too many curves. I think I'm going to do these at work (after hours, of course :O) and consider it a learning project more than anything else.

Thanks for the feedback guys.
~ Ian

[highspeedmazak]

I use solidworks,bobcad and mastercam but mostly solidworks and bobcad.

[David Bord]

I've been given permission at work to go through the Solidworks tutorials. I've done about 5 of them so far, and find it really interesting.

Budget? Cheap is good, free is better :O)

I know that Sprutcam is available with Tormach, but I've also heard very mixed reviews of it's functionality and ease of use. I'm nervous (when the time comes) to put out $1k, without knowing that the software is going to work for me.

These particular game pieces are two sizes of hexagonal tile, with game features built on top. Not too many curves. I think I'm going to do these at work (after hours, of course :O) and consider it a learning project more than anything else.

Thanks for the feedback guys.
~ Ian

Sprutcam 2007 for $1000 is an amazing bargain.... I think its pretty easy to use also. The older version of Sprut was OK... but 2007 is in a new league al together! It supports lathes and I hear they are working on 4 and 5 axis support that should be out this year. You simply cant touch that capability elsewhere for that kind of money.

[highspeedmazak]

Depending on what you do I have bobcad v20 for sale have not figured a price for it but Im sure it will be cheap since I dont need it anymore. If you can use it make me an offer. Or trade?

[Dolphin USA]

We have just developed an OEM together. With every machine that goes out, a copy of Dolphin will be bundled with it.

Have you found software?

[philbur]

It's a bit cryptic. Together with whom? What machine?

I don't see Dolphin even listed on the Tormach site.

Phil

We have just developed an OEM together. With every machine that goes out, a copy of Dolphin will be bundled with it.

Have you found software?

[philbur]

I thought 2007 was going to have 4th axis capability.

Phil

Sprutcam 2007 ...... It supports lathes and I hear they are working on 4 and 5 axis support that should be out this year.

[Dolphin USA]

Philbur, seems to me you have always had a little grudge with us at Dolphin for some reason. Why, I am not sure. On another note, if you seem to think it is a bit cryptic, you are more than welcome to contact them directly yourself. It was just established last week. In regards to the website, I am sure it will be updated eventually. Again, it is brand new and that is why I mentioned this.

[philbur]

Sorry, I think you misunderstand my use of the word cryptic. It was in reference to the brevity of the message as it was not clear you where talking about Tormach, especially in light of the fact that Dolphin is not mentioned on the Tormach website.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I thought it was a reasonable question.

Best Regards
Phil

Philbur, seems to me you have always had a little grudge with us at Dolphin for some reason. Why, I am not sure. On another note, if you seem to think it is a bit cryptic, you are more than welcome to contact them directly yourself. It was just established last week. In regards to the website, I am sure it will be updated eventually. Again, it is brand new and that is why I mentioned this.

[keithorr]

I didn't see anything wrong with Philbur's request. I'm curious which level will be available at what price.

[David Bord]

I thought 2007 was going to have 4th axis capability.

Phil

It has 4th axis indexing, but I was refering to simultaneous machine with all other axis.

[philbur]

Do you now when the 4th axis simultaneous will be available.

Phil

It has 4th axis indexing, but I was refering to simultaneous machine with all other axis.

[Dolphin USA]

Philbur, I apologize for misunderstanding what exactly you meant. We have been working with the president of Tormach which he probably doesn't do the website development as well. The first batch of cd's was just shipped out last week to them. I am pretty sure they will be sent out with the next batch of machines. It's probably best that I let them deal with the end user which buys the machines.

Keithorr- I am not sure exactly what they are doing in regards to pricing. On the cd's that go out with each machine, it states to contact Tormach for licensing.

I'd imagine it will be Level 3 as Level 3 offers the full 3 axis machining capabilities.
If you have any more questions, you can either PM me or email.

Thank you and I again apologize for misunderstanding.

[keithorr]

dolphincad; thanks
others;
what would the circumstance be that you would need 4 axis simultanious?

[philbur]

I think the point was an upgrade from 4th axis indexing to simultaniously motion with the x,y and/or z. I guess whether you need all four moving at the same time will depend on the complexity of the part and the machining strategy you intend/need to use. However its beginning to hurt my brain trying to picture one. Anybody?

Phil

dolphincad; thanks
others;
what would the circumstance be that you would need 4 axis simultanious?

[Don Clement]

what would the circumstance be that you would need 4 axis simultanious?

I can think of a couple of examples: Text on the circumference of a cylinder and machining a bayonet type connector that would require simultaneous and not indexed fourth axis capability. SprutCam 2007 only has indexed fourth axis capability.