cam software

[gene]

what is the difference between shopbot machining software and something like mach 3 . Is it how it writes code or is it exclusive to the machine that it comes with? I have seen on the forum that some are using mach 3 and I was wondering what the advantage is to use a different type of machining software?

[adrianm]

Neither directly writes code although programs/macros can be written in both to do that.

They read the code and send the relevant commands to the controller that makes the motor move.

They essentially do exactly the same job so essentially (provided you don't rely on certain ShopBot features) it's down to personal preference IMO, a bit like using a Mac or a PC.

I used to use Mach3 on my old machine and I had no issues with it all but I like the simplicity of the ShopBot Easy interface and the ease of modifying the routines.

[steve_g]

From Wikipedia… I thought it interesting that Mach3 isn’t on the list. SG
The top 20 largest CAM software companies, by direct revenues in year 2011,[10] are sorted by revenues:
Dassault Systèmes
Siemens PLM Software
Delcam
Vero Software
PTC
Tebis
Open Mind Technologies
Cimatron
C&G Systems
Missler Software
CNC Software
CG Tech
DP Technology
SolidCAM
SesCoi
NTT Data Engineering Systems
Nihon Unisys
BobCAD-CAM
Geometric Technologies
SharpCam
Surfware
Dolphin CAD/CAM USA
Global flight
RoutCad&RoutBot

[garyb]

Steve its because its not classified as cam software its control software
gary

[steve_g]

Ok, Time for some education here… I’m well aware that VCP and Aspire etc. are the CAD or design programs many of us use, I thought that SB3 was the CAM component. You’re telling me that SB3 and Mach3 are control software. Do we have a CAM component? What does CAM do that control doesn’t do?
Thanks!
SG

[garyb]

Steve, think of the cam as the toolpathing operation of your cad software, hence cad/cam. The control software then processes the cam output (sbp and g-code) for the electronics of the controller.
Now even though SB3 and Mach have some modules which will output code they are still clasified primarily as control software not as cad/cam.
Gary

[steve_g]

Sooo... is the PP of VCP the CAM component?
SG

[srwtlc]

SB3, Mach3, WinCNC, LinuxCNC and the many various machine interfaces are or could be called 'Motion Control' software. PW, PW3D, VCP, Aspire, ArtCam, MasterCAM etc. are CAD/CAM software. You could say, for example, that the left side of VCP/Aspire is the CAD side and the right side (Toolpaths) is the CAM side. AutoCad, TurboCad, etc. are just CAD.

CAM Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-aided_manufacturing).

[garyb]

although there's a number of definitions of cam it is usually the toolpathing module that's clasified the cam module.
Gary

[steve_g]

Today is a good day! I learned something… And I think I actually understand it!
Thanks all
SG

[gene]

So when i design something in aspire why do i have have o pick a pp ? If one side is design , drawing and the other side is toolpathing , does aspire write the code and mach 3 , sb read the code for the associated machine ? I think i may have asked and answered my question:rolleyes:

[Ger21]

In Aspire, the drawing and modelling are the CAD portion.
The toolpaths, nesting, code export, etc. are the CAM portion.

The post processor is a part of the CAM portion, which tailors the code to match the specific control you're using.