I've just started doing CNC after a long time of doing everything manually. The one thing I find is that using mastercam is great if you're making complex parts but terrible if you want to make simple parts. Are there any cam packages that are more "conversational", or more just suited to making much simpler parts? I don't feel like I shouldn't even have to set the size of the blank, just a zero point, paths, depths, tools, and operations.

i suggest using edgecam .. it's very friendly in doing simple pathes , just fiew inputs and you get the required NC.
i would use master cam for multiaxis works only.
good luck

Your statement is exactly our design philosophy ... we developed our Kipware® conversational software while working on the shop floor with exactly those same questions.

Our philosophy is that oftentimes CAD/CAM is overkill ... can eliminate good machinists from creating programs because they need to learn the CAD/CAM system ... and can even slow down the programming process at times.

You can get all the details at our website ... www.KentechInc.com

I have edgecam (very difficult to use, not intuitive at all)
camworks (see above, takes ages to write the toolpaths)
solid cam (the easiest to use by far, very quick for simple 2.5d work, but not too powerfull on 3d stuff)
I have also used onecnc, and this is also far easier than edgecam or camworks, cheaper by a big margin, and has no maintenance fees.

Also .. I think you are going to see posts with people saying they have a variety of programming options. That's another key point ... from chip making experience, I don't think that one programming option is a solution. In a job shop you do need a variety of options ... not a variety of CAD/CAM ... but variety of options.

Something easy and quick for the easy stuff ... like Kipware®
Something more complex for the complex & 3D stuff ... like a CAD/CAM package.
A good editor for powerful editing ... help out on the shop floor.
Good utilities like trig help, point plotting help, etc. ... for the non-CAD-guys on the floor.

If one thinks that their CAD/CAM is always the best solution ... ??????

Bluechip

I use and like EZcam. Simple to use.

http://www.ezcam.com/web/index.htm#

Simple parts can sometimes be the most maddening to deal with: they're as straightforward as hell, but still have a lot of operations.

OneCNC XR3 would be worth looking at. With their template system, if you've got an organized brain , you can wack out a lot of similar programs in a hurry, then adjust them to new geometry, new hole patterns, new tools etc.

The best "CAM" for SIMPLE parts is the free Windows Notepad to write your own G-code.

EZCam... I have a old old version I wouldn't give up for the world...
Next best thing to having a cnc mazak mill and lathe set up and waiting...just for fast part making.
Steve

1. #2 pencil

2. paper

3. calculator of your choice

4. apply brain power

Simple parts ... simple solution

I beg to differ, but hand writing gcode is far from fast to prove out, to keep records of, or to modify. Practice simple in cadcam so you can deal with complex in cadcam.

All I see in the origin post is simple, simple, simple, etc.

No request made for fast or traceable ...

Everyone should start their CAD/CAM experience this way IMO.

Simple parts ... code by hand.

Letting the software do everything for you does not force you to understand WHAT the code is doing nor WHY.

Goes some way I believe to explaining the prevalence of clueless engineers, programmers, and operators we are seeing.

EZ Cam, tried a few and I found this the simplest by far, even for complex stuff.

If this was 1980 I would agree with you about a #2 and paper...But now with softwares like predator editor you can still hand code on the pc if you want and then backplot....If you learn cad at the same time as cam your better off in 2009 as your not letting the software do anything without your input to the pc...the software is just a tool and it only is as good as the person using it...IMO....

I take offense! Speaking for all the clueless machinist/programmers, I must correct you, sir. I started out programming by hand before going to CAM. Yet I am still clueless.

I find mastercam is easy to use. There is some basic things to learn usually found in 1st Mastercam Handbook.
.......Some parts like a right angle block may seem tough until you learn to use or draw a boundary box and pocket in the boundary. That how you control where and how much a cutter overlaps a edge. Occasionally if Mastercam refuses to do something it is suspose to do restarting Mastercam might be needed.
.......I went to school for version 9 and at first X2 seemed so different I took a class in that too. Basically just buying Mastercam Handbook Vol 1 from emastercam would have been cheaper or even reading the pdf manuals that come with the software.. I admit any CadCam software is confusing if you do not use it often. If looking for a job then learning and using Mastercam will help you probably more than any other Cam software get the job. After taking a class or taking the tutorials in a book, then comes real world experience getting parts to make and figuring out the best way to program it. It does helps if you have other machinists around to ask opinions if you are stuck on something but sometimes figuring something out your self is the best way to learn as you remember the tough jobs.
...... Software like Gsimple is free and it might seem complicated but if you read the manual it works ok for milling and does letter engraving too.

Most of my parts are relatively simple, and I like SheetCAM (www.sheetcam.com) a lot for them. Its a 2.5D package, but so are most of my parts.

Its not conversational though, you need to use an external CAD package to create a .dxf file of a "top view" of the outines of the profiles, pockets and holes in your part.

In SheetCAM you then assign machining operations to the various outlines in the drawing, ie pocket, profile, drill, tap, etc.

The program is solid and support is good, and the price is right, I think currently its around $200., but don't be thrown off by the low price, its not a toy or "home shop only" type package. They have a demo version you can try.

Paul T.

Hi Gaze,

I am a 63 year old newbie into the CNC world. I have a 2008 HAAS TM-1P and use ONECNC XR3 Mill Advantage. I make a variety of small simple parts. It works well for me in both the CAD and CAM applications. I have found ONECNC easy to use and they also have a GREAT support forum for owners of the software.

If you go to the ONECNC website you can get a FREE Download of the software for evaluation purposes to use for a limited time. Give it a try, you might like it as I did. You could also ask them about transfer of ownership for used copies of the software. I purchased a used copy of XR2 Mill Advantage software here on the forum and after verifying serial and dongle numbers ONECNC transferred ownership into my name at Zero cost. I have since upgraded to the XR3 Mill Advantage package which has many new features that are very benificial. At additional cost of course. They offer several levels of the software depending on your needs.

Good luck in your search for a nice CAM package.

Using only CAM and not being able to G-code is like only being able to drive if its an automatic or only being able to cook if its a TV dinner. Now thats clueless or as Zappa would say:

Gag me with a spoon
I am sure
Totally...

Hi another vote for Onecnc express is a fantastic 2.5d simple clear prog to use as for g coding !!

I do agree an understanding of gcode is very handy but doin all the repetitive stuff over and over with no verification would be askin for trouble for me

Cheers Kev