Thread: CAD/CAM software recommendation

Hi All,

Need some help in recommending CAD/CAM software for CNC lathe.

I have recently bought a CNC lathe with Fanuc Oi-Mate controller for my workshop.
This is my very first CNC lathe machine ever and it has been a steep learning curve for me. We are planning to us to for the fabrication of SS316threaded pipe connectors.

Now, the only experience i have is with AutoCAD during my school day and that it. Could you guys advise which is the better CAD and CAM software for me to do some study on. This would help me narrow down the choices for the software purchase.

Thanks a lot!

There is a book you shoud buy before you pick any cad cam system. Peter smid's cnc programing hand book. Read this book and learn how to program with g code first. Then after you understand how to program your machine, making a cad cam choice will be easier.

If we are recommending books, I'll recommend almost anything written by Mike Lynch. I say almost, because he has written so much, I doubt he has even read it all. I'll suggest that some of your considerations in looking for CAM software be: your price range, and the applicability of your CAM software as far as expanding to other applications, should your need arise. As far as producing SS316 pipe connectors, basic programming by hand is likely adequate (depending on their complexity).

Thanks for the replies.

Budget wise for both is about $5-6K tentatively given by my boss. if necessary, i can ask for more. The only issue is that my boss wants me to get it right the first time. We purchase the 2nd sets of software our ERP system as the first one absolutely did not suit our operation. My boss is quite pissed of with the double purchase.

Anyway machine is arriving end July early Aug. Not much time to consider.

Amazon.com: CNC Programming Handbook, Third Edition (9780831133474): Peter Smid: Books

Here is a link to purchase Peter Smids cnc programming hand book.

Just like EDM joe said, because you are turning down pipe and putting threads on it programming by hand wouldn't be that difficult of a task. The other point is all the CAM options are going to post G-code. Knowing the G-code to start will help you demo which software will work best for your machine. Based on the information you have provided a simple CAM system would be all you would need. But like most of use, we like cool ass software to help visualize what's going on in the program. A very good production orientated CAM system for lathe would be gibbs cam. Based on your budget, and the CAD software you have experience with gibbs cam could be a really good fit for ya. http://www.gibbscam.com/