Learning BOBCAD V23

I purchased BOBCAD in November of 2011 because BOBCAM will post code for
my Hansvedt wire EDM. Hansvedt does not use G-code. I think their code is refered to as conversational code. Easy to learn, almost easier than G-code.

The various internet forums have very little good to say about BOBCAD. Most of the complaints seem to with CAD portion of the software. Since I have Solidworks CAD I have no need for BOBCAD. My need is for BOBCAM. BOBCAM reads drawing files with several extensions including .DXF. I think most CAD programs can can make a drawing in .DXF.

I'm on vacation for 6 weeks in Florida so in my spare time I'm learning BOBCAM. BOBCAD has an office in Clearwater Florida about 70 miles from where I am. BOBCAD has excellent customer support. I have called them about 10 times in the last 2 weeks. They always resolve my issues and are polite and encouraging. They invited me to visit their office.

Learning BOBCAM was a struggle but I finally got it working with BOBCAD customer support. I'll find out for sure when I get home and try loading a program in my wire machine. It takes several steps to get a DXF drawing converted to machine code. BOBCAD programs ways to lean in, lead out, tapers and more.



I had difficultly remembering all the steps the following day so I started making an instruction manual in Microsoft Word. In the manual are pictures of the computer screens with notes. It has already been helpful. If a step is out of sequence BOBCAM will not work. Eventually I'll remember all the steps.

BOBCAD is a powerful program for the money. However, their CAD seems clumsy to use but it is there if you need it. It is not fair to compare BOBCAD that costs a few hundred dollars to Solidworks that costs $3500 and up.

If you buy BOBCAD it is best to pay the extra money and buy the instruction disks
and the customer support. I could not have figured out the software on my own.

I would like to post my BOBCAD instuction manual somewhere online. Photobucket
does not accept .DOC files. Does someone know how or where to do that?

Jim

Jim,

If you wanted you could post it right in this thread. Just zip the file and attach it.

Al DePoalo
BobCAM Team Leader

Hi Jim

Would be good to see as never got the demo working for wire here in metric UK

Cheers Kev

OK, how do I "zip" a file. I have "unzipped" many but never did a zip.

Kevin, I don't think the metric system will be an issue with BOBCAM. Only a couple
of times do they ask for a dimension.

Jim

Download something like this:

jZip - a free WinZip alternative

This type of software will let you Zip up files.

Al DePoalo
BobCAM Team Leader

Or just use the windows one

Right Click on file /folder > send to > compressed (Zipped) Folder .

Then attach the new zipped folder that is created which will have the file inside.

Cheers Kev

Thanks for the tip Kevin. Winzip expired on my old XP computer. My wifes computer has WIN 7 so I compressed it there. See if it works.

I did not know until today I could send an attachment on this forum.

It did not work!!! The file is still to large

Jim

Opens with MS Word
BOBCAD Manual

Opens with .JPG
Here is a rough draft of the manual in .JPG
BOBCAD Manual
Pics loaded in reverse order Open the last pic first then click PREVIOUS.

Hope this is of interest,
Jim

I used to work for a small company and BobCad was the only CAM software I could fly under the radar of accounting for our machine shop; I used SolidWorks for all CAD and then downloaded parts into the CAM side of BobCAD to generate and verify code. The last version I used was V23 and although a lot seem to hate it, we made a lot of money with it. The only problem I ran into in it's capability was multi-axis turning; it wouldn't do it.... unless you spent hours on a work around and modified a buried post that was in V22 that worked with our machine after some mods. There were a few things I'd like to have seen in V23, but I heard V24 has them, but lost some of the toolpaths that were in the earlier version, but haven't really checked.

We never bought class time, but with the manuals, videos, three or four forums and the very knowledgeable handful of people on there, we got up to speed pretty quick; we also used their support when needed. I used the Predator software extensively, too, the backplot functioning in the editor is a must have. BobCADs support was always reasonably good and as we were with them from V21 to the last version of V23, they always made a point to try to get us going. I had the number of the two guys I would usually end up talking to after others trying to solve my problem; these guys were sharp!! I only had one problem they couldn't solve and it was in the Predator software and a forum member in a CADCAM forum helped me solve it.

When I left this company, we had 3 VMCs, 3 lathes, a multi-axis lathe and 2 plasma tables running code generated by V23; I never used it for the EDMs.

Man, I thought I was the only one who used BobCAD to program wire EDMs on this site. I guess everyone keeps quiet about it because of all the smack talk. Say what you want, but it's affordable and capable of doing most of the things our GibbsCAM will do (especially when it comes to Wire EDM).

I use BobCAD v23 on both of our Accutex EDM's. I've had pretty good luck with it. I've even done some 4-axis stuff without much trouble. We have the WEDM plugin for GibbsCAM too, but I use BobCAD 99.9% of the time.

It's simple and quick to use, and the posts are easy to modify.

I'm probably Bobcad/cam's least favorite past customer. My first and only experience with them was V22... 'nuff said?

I had the opportunity to fiddle with 23 at a buddy's shop the other day, and I must say that I was almost impressed. I'm (almost) sure if I had more time to fiddle, I'd be really impressed, espescially considering the price. But then... After my experience with 22, I just can't leave out that (almost)

NSI EDM Guy said:

Man, I thought I was the only one who used BobCAD to program wire EDMs on this site. I guess everyone keeps quiet about it because of all the smack talk. Say what you want, but it's affordable and capable of doing most of the things our GibbsCAM will do (especially when it comes to Wire EDM).

I use BobCAD v23 on both of our Accutex EDM's. I've had pretty good luck with it. I've even done some 4-axis stuff without much trouble. We have the WEDM plugin for GibbsCAM too, but I use BobCAD 99.9% of the time.

It's simple and quick to use, and the posts are easy to modify.

Click to expand...

LOL and I thought I was the only one.
I got it for the cad and image import and vectorization part which is the only program I know of that did that. At least as far as I could afford. I have the full suit V23.
The cad part is hard to learn for sure and without the training disks. I was hesitant to buy the disks as I thought they concentrated more on the cam part.
They are sales junkies thought and constantly are calling me tring to get me to by something even though each time I tell them I can't afford another dime.

I have managed to do a good bit of drawing and posting to the Bridgeport with it now. I really like importing .JPG files and being able to vertor them and then clean them up and post for cutting.
I scanned a Gecko picture on a stick and then cleaned it up, turned it into a lever and posted it to waterjet.
Did the same with my KB logo and it is now being cut into a bracket with waterjet.
The 3d drawings I did in 2 D as well and Emma (CNC Bridgeport) cut them without issue. No lost parts.

This was the original Gecko scan and my KB logo that was cut into my damper brackets.
I've scanned complete Samurai chassis's too as well as whole car to play with in Cad in 3d

I was able to demo their integrated CAM for SW at Solidworks world last week and was very impressed. It seemed just a capable as the bigger names and much cheaper.

SolidWork World 2012

I had a great time at SolidWorks World and would have to say out of the 3 years I have gone this year was the best.

The Partner Pavilion was packed with users check out the photos.

Al DePoalo
BobCAM Team Leader

BobCAM V2 Video

Here is a link to the promo video we ran at the show:

BobCAM for SolidWorks QuickFlix Video - YouTube

Bobcad

Our company tried V23 w/bobart and it was the worst decision we ever made. Nothing but problems. It was like fiddling with an old car, constantly having issues. Seemed like nothing was intuitive and clumsy. Had to buy their yearly tech support. Which meant if we had a machine set up and had any question, you have to call tech support and provide your customer I.D., then provide a description of the problem, then wait(many times until the next day) before a tech would call you back. Sometimes several hours. So a paid employee either needs to break down the costly setup to run something else or stand around and wait. They want you to buy they're C.D.s or spend your time on the internet posting to their forum.

Finally, learned about OneCNC West cad/cam. Bought it and have NEVER looked back. Totally different experience. Bobcad is fine for the hobbyist that likes to fiddle but if you're paying wages in a competitive world that software is dangerous.

BobCAD CAM Support

Mtlhe,

I am sorry to hear you had such a bad experience with BobCAD CAM Software. Patrick at 1CNC West is a great guy and I am sure he has done well by you. You bring up a good point about getting called back quickly when you need support.

When working with a local reseller I am sure you can run into the same issues on having to wait for a call back...

Either way this is the reason why we offer 3 levels of support. Our level 3 support program offers a priority call back service that allows those clients to be called back first.

BobCAD CAM's Support Team offers:

Help Desk Login

Telephone Support

Email Support

Remote Session Support

Customized Posts

Pre-Recorded Webinars

Live Webinar Training

Online Training

Live Chat

VIP Remote Sessions

VIP Priority Call Back

Technical Support Service Guidelines

With technical support services from BobCAD-CAM, you’re never on your own. We’re committed to your success long after your system purchase. Our technical support experts will help ensure smooth operation of your BobCAD-CAM applications day in and day out. For details of the services included with your technical support membership, please see below.

Introduction

This document describes the guidelines that BobCAD-CAM uses in providing technical support, and defines coverage included with your BobCAD-CAM support agreement. These services are provided to customers who have a current technical support membership with BobCAD-CAM. Customers with expired technical support memberships will be directed to the Technical support sales department and will be asked to renew their technical support membership before technical assistance is provided.
Benefits of Technical Support

45 days of technical support is included for all new customers and is renewable thereafter for an annual fee. Assistance is provided by product and technical specialists trained to use and operate BobCAD-CAM products in a technical environment. Support for hardware or software systems on which BobCAD-CAM applications reside at the customer site is not included. Although troubleshooting an application in some cases requires us to ask questions regarding your operating environments. BobCAD-CAM support technicians are not responsible for network, operating system or computer maintenance.
Telephone Support

Telephone support for US and International customers:
(727) 489-0003. Telephone consultation: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm Monday-Friday, Eastern Standard Time.
Software Updates

BobCAD-CAM software updates are automatically provided to all customers. Updates are provided via web download. Product upgrades incur an additional charge, and are not covered by the technical support agreement.
Customers without Technical Support Membership

Help can be received through On-line documentation and forums. The BobCAD-CAM forum is monitored by both our technicians and fellow BobCAD-CAM users. On occasion we will also have online Demonstration Webinars, these are available to all.

Post-processors

Post-processors are provided free of charge to all. If modifications are needed to an exiting post support members can request the needed modifications via fax, mail or via Email. The number of post modifications that may be requested is controlled by the support plan level chosen. Post-processor requests are completed on a first come first serve basis and are done in the order received. Allow approximately 2+ weeks for completion. BobCAD-CAM Customers may choose to set up or modify their own post-processor, complete instructions are available online at BobCAD-CAM | Powerful & Affordable CNC CAD/CAM Software Solutions. A post-processor request form is required in order to request a post-processor; the request must be accompanied by a known working sample program, list of G and M codes and all applicable canned cycle descriptions.

Helpful information about support

The most important thing to understand about getting help from technical support is the amount of detail you need to supply them.

Be At the Computer
Unless you have a question that has nothing to do with a specific problem you are having with your software, be sure you are sitting at your computer when you call the tech support line. Also, have the application running and on screen if at all possible.

When there is an error write exactly what it says
Whenever you get an error message, be sure to write down exactly what it says. “I don’t quite remember” will generally not help you get the problem solved. In addition, we take hundreds of calls every day and may not be able to assist you if you cannot describe your circumstances in exact detail.

Intermittent problems
Intermittent problems are extremely difficult to resolve. If you cannot recreate the problem on screen, there may be very little a technician can do to help you.

Customer Responsibilities

It is BobCAD-CAM’s expectation that the customer will:

Be responsible for backing up their system, performing routine system maintenance and keeping current with the latest hardware & windows updates and BobCAD-CAM software releases.

Attempt to resolve their problems with BobCAD-CAM software before placing a call to Technical Support. Detailed documentation is included in the searchable online user’s guides and FAQ’s from the BobCAD-CAM web site.

Be trained on the use of BobCAD-CAM software. Options include self-tutoring, using the on line documentation or user’s guides, attending webinars, peer training, or BobCAD-CAM’s formal training programs.

The technical support membership is not to be used in lieu of obtaining system training or for training replacement personnel.

What support is…

If you are within your 45-day period or have purchased an annual support plan from BobCAD-CAM, and your software does not work or you cannot get a function to perform as expected, we will assist you.

Common Examples of Support

Post will not drive machine.
Part will not fillet.
Getting an error.
How to add a tool.
Software will not post code.
Part will not skin.
My part will not pocket.
How do I correct this drawing?

Support will assist you on how to use the BobCAD-CAM functionality and assist you when you need to know why a function is not working, as well as guide you to the proper documentation when needed. If there is problem, a support technician will review and assess the issue then help correct the problem, or instruct you how to correct the problem either verbally or by example. If the issue requires training, the support representative can provide documentation and training materials. Support will also offer pointers to guide you in the correct direction.

What training is…

If you own a copy of BobCAD-CAM, and you do not know how the software works or which functions you may need to use to complete a project, we will show you how the functions work and their application. Training is available for purchase either bundled with the annual support package or at an hourly rate.

Common Examples of Training

I just received my software and want a walk through.
I received a part and do not know where to start.
Hired new employee, and he does not know how to use BobCAD-CAM.
I just got my first 3d job and I am not sure how to start.

Training will teach you how to use the BobCAD-CAM system and apply the learned methods to your parts. Our support department must refer customers in need of training to our training department so that other customers requiring support can receive help in a timely manner.

Our support Department will never leave a customer in need of training without several resources of which can be used to learn how to use the BobCAD-CAM system. Design and machining can be a complex process we do ask that all of our customers take an active part in learning how to use their BobCAD-CAM system.

Response Time

BobCAD-CAM needs to be able to fully service all of its customers in a timely manner. For this reason, the BobCAD-CAM technical support team will assist all support members fully and as quickly as possible to be able to maintain a reasonable call back waiting period. E-mail responses typically have the fastest turnaround. We try our best to ensure all support requests received before 8:00 p.m. are answered that day. Due to the nature of support and our customer’s individual needs, support is not instant and requires that a support ticket reference number is issued for each incident. We strive to keep our call back time under an hour, although this can fluctuate day by day due to call volume. Call back times cannot be scheduled. Calls are handled on a first come first serve basis and in the order received, In the event that you miss our call our support representatives will try again up to three times to contact you before sending an email to the email address on file and closing your ticket.

*High Priority call back is available with certain annual support plans.

Limits and Liabilities

BobCAD-CAM and its employees may not program any customer’s part for them nor provide drawings or g-code for their machines. Our technical support and training departments will take every possible step to ensure that you have what you will need as a valued customer to be successful in using BobCAD-CAM and its products.

CD-ROM Replacement

Replacement CDs are provided free of charge for defective CDs or CDs damaged in shipment. Lost CD’s and updates can be shipped for a fee. For your convenience most BobCAD-CAM software is available for download on the BobCAD-CAM website.

Email, Web and Fax Assistance

Online support is available directly through our website through searchable FAQ’s, Form Submission, User Forums and Email. Emails may be submitted directly to [email protected]

You may also fax your questions to technical support at (727) 734-8239.
Other BobCAD-CAM Services

BobCAD-CAM offers other fee-based services, not included in your technical support agreement, that are designed to assist customers and optimize BobCAD-CAM products: Reverse Post Processors- Services Offered through predator software. DNC Hardware & Web based Installation. Product Certification is offered on-site or at regional locations. For details and pricing, contact Customer Service at (877) 262-2231

Bobcad

I started not to respond as I didn't want a controversy. But this is a shared forum where people come for insight and to learn. There were so many issues with Bobcad that I so wish we would have never bought it, even though I had read mixed reviews. We took a chance and it really costs us alot of time, broken cutters, ruined parts, and precious company time and resources(plus money).
Here's the bottom line:

OneCNC costs more,no doubt, but here's the major difference:
No maintenance fees,EVER!!!
If you need help(regardless if it's training or not), you call them(many available phone numbers around the globe), they answer the phone, you ask, they help you until your question or issue or problem is solved,the end! No fees. No body at our company has yet to call them due to a system failure or issue. If we have a question(usually how to do something or a explanation) they answer it.
The software is exceptional and INTUITIVE. As if it was written by actual machinists that understand a machining and manufacturing process.
Completely different software, we no longer use Mastercam either.

You're right about Patrick at OneCNC West, this guys incredibly knowledgeable and helpful.
I once had a part from a valued client that needed to be machined A.S.A.P for an engineering firm. It was a complicated 3D prototype. It would have taken any of us a while to cad and cam this. I phoned Patrick, he asked me to forward the companies email of the part and drawing. Within an hour, he sent us a link that had a video of him drawing and explaining with some useful tips(to include the finished part file ready to post and machine). We immediately posted the completed part(after quickly inserting a couple of tool config's) and then machined the part. The customer was impressed and we have received a great deal of business from him ever since. I called Patrick and offered repeatedly to compensate him for his help. He refused, stating this is what we're all about, your success is our success!

Bobcad isn't even in the same league as OneCNC. No where even close. You can either buy their software, buy their training C.D.s, go to their seminars,pay for their tech support(if you pay more you'll be treated better), deal with their unrelenting sales calls to buy more from them, and join their forum so you can ask all the many other users who have to post on a daily basis to figure their software out. OR you can spend alittle more and get on with machining so your business can grow.
Again, if you're the tinker type, and enjoy a challenge, and there's is no hurry or motivation, and you're short on cash(not that much difference actually between them especially when you consider no extra fees from OneCNC) then Bobcad might be right for you. With Bobcad, they send you Preditor Editor(which isn't activated until you pay and extra $500.00) so you can't even do proper verifications or backplotting. Not to mention it too is a completely different software program that you have to learn ,and hey you guessed it, buy more training. OneCNC has this fully integrated with their system as it is included at no extra cost.
Look, I could go on forever about the differences between these two companies and their software. Bottom line,it's a Cadillac compared to a struggling Ford Pinto. Caveat Emptor- due you due diligence and research.
Have a good weekend everybody.