To All:

Ok, here is a simple part to program. Triangle-Circle-Square. Here's what it should resemble after cut part rendering/verifying.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...hoto/Test1.jpg

Now it is just a 2 1/2 axis part, I wouldn't bother trying to make it a solid unless you really think it would be faster to program in your CAM system. The steps are .500" deep, and the overall height is 1.5"

We could do a 3 axis profiled/surfaced part later, if this little test is popular.

Here are some dimensions.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...hoto/Test2.jpg

The holes are 1/4-20 tapped 1/2 deep on a 1" bolt circle with a .010-.015 chamfer on the top. I used a 1" end mill for the contouring, Rough it leaving .005 stock, then finish it to size.

Please list your elapsed time and the CAM system you used.

Here's a stopwatch if you need one.

http://www.online-stopwatch.com/

And I hope you have fun doing it.

--
BottleBob
http://home.earthlink.net/~bottlbob

8:39
Surfcam Velocity 4 SP1

Attached Thumbnails

 

here's a solid, solidworks,step, iges, parasolid zip file

by the way Bob nice stuff...!

Attached Files

	programming test.zip (67.2 KB, 37 views)
	SW file programming test.zip (96.5 KB, 27 views)

Just a few seconds under 4 minutes including inch to metric conversion, 2D drawing, toolpath creation and simulation. Using Onecnc XR3 Mill. Steps are 5mm, not 0.5" but this wouldn't influence programming time. Handicapped by swineflu, lying in bed and I must say the slowest part of the operation was getting brain into gear.

Edit: toolpaths & sim took 2:24 without 2d drawing

Attached Thumbnails

 

It took me 5:53 to program the part with featureCAM 2010. This didn't include drawing the geometry.



Here is the code. Okuma uses some unique codes for things like a g111 macro to toolchange and I use a g112 macro to return the machine to "home" position.

%
O5000(TEST1)
(FEATURECAM POST FOR OKUMA MCV4020 WITH OSP100E CONTROL)
(OUTPUT IN ABSOLUTE INCHES 11-20-2009)
( BLOCK STOCK - ALUMINUM. X4 Y4 Z2 )
( T1 = .375 SPOT DRILL )
( T3 = .204 DRILL )
( T4 = 1/4-20 TAP )
( T19 = 1" SGS S-CARB )
CLEAR
DRAW
NT19 G0 Z20 G17 G40 G80 G94
N100 G111 T19 Q1
N110 M1
(OPERATION - ROUGH1 BOSS ON BOSS1)
(TOOL NO - 19 DIAM - 1.0)
(TOOL COMMENTS - )
N150 G15 H1
N160 S8565 M3
N170 G0 G90 X0.4905 Y-4.9552
N180 G56 Z1.0 H19
N190 M8 F128.5
N200 Z0.1
N210 G1 Z-0.5 F128.5
N220 X0.1818 Y-4.5 F200.0
N230 G2 X-0.4997 Y-4.0178 I1.1112 J2.2929
N240 G1 X-1.0316 Y-3.8781
N250 X-0.9068 Y-0.5912
N260 X-0.5 Y-0.221
N270 G2 X-0.0808 Y0.4934 I1.793 J-0.572
N280 G1 X0.0441 Y1.0291
N290 X3.9561
N300 X4.0809 Y0.4934
N310 G2 X4.5 Y-0.2206 I-1.3738 J-1.2863
N320 G1 X4.9068 Y-0.5908
N330 X5.0317 Y-3.8782
N340 X4.4997 Y-4.0179
N350 G2 X3.8183 Y-4.5 I-1.7926 J1.8108
N360 G1 X3.5096 Y-4.9552
N370 X5.0023 Y-3.2837
N380 X4.5 Y-3.5078
N390 G2 X2.7071 Y-4.4221 I-1.7929 J1.3007
N400 G1 X1.293
N410 G2 X-0.5 Y-3.5076 I0. J2.215
N420 G1 X-1.0023 Y-3.2835
N430 X-0.9068 Y-2.4088
N440 X-0.5 Y-2.779
N450 G3 X1.293 Y-4.0891 I1.793 J0.572
N460 G1 X2.7071
N470 G3 X4.5 Y-2.7794 I0. J1.882
N480 G1 X4.9068 Y-2.4092
N490 X3.3141 Y0.9919
N500 X3.5602 Y0.5
N510 G2 X4.2561 Y-0.7929 I-0.8531 J-1.2929
N520 G1 Y-2.2071
N530 G2 X2.7071 Y-3.7561 I-1.549 J0.
N540 G1 X1.293
N550 G2 X-0.256 Y-2.2071 I0. J1.549
N560 G1 Y-0.7929
N570 G2 X0.4399 Y0.5 I1.549 J0.
N580 G1 X0.686 Y0.9919
N590 G3 X1.3476 Y0.4231 I0.6616 J0.1004
N600 G1 X2.7071
N610 G2 X3.9231 Y-0.7929 I0. J-1.216
N620 G1 Y-2.2071
N630 G2 X2.7071 Y-3.4231 I-1.216 J0.
N640 G1 X1.293
N650 G2 X0.077 Y-2.2071 I0. J1.216
N660 G1 Y-0.7929
N670 G2 X0.9015 Y0.3583 I1.216 J0.
N680 X1.1796 Y0.2461 I0.074 J-0.2175
N690 G3 X1.4357 Y0.0901 I0.2561 J0.1321
N700 G1 X2.7071
N710 G2 X3.5901 Y-0.7929 I0. J-0.883
N720 G1 Y-2.2071
N730 G2 X2.7071 Y-3.0901 I-0.883 J0.
N740 G1 X1.293
N750 G2 X0.41 Y-2.2071 I0. J0.883
N760 G1 Y-0.7929
N770 G2 X1.0087 Y0.0431 I0.883 J0.
N780 X1.2939 Y-0.0775 I0.0749 J-0.2204
N790 G3 X1.5556 Y-0.2429 I0.2617 J0.1243
N800 G1 X2.7071
N810 G2 X3.2571 Y-0.7929 I0. J-0.55
N820 G1 Y-2.2071
N830 G2 X2.7071 Y-2.7571 I-0.55 J0.
N840 G1 X1.293
N850 G2 X0.743 Y-2.2071 I0. J0.55
N860 G1 Y-0.7929
N870 G2 X1.293 Y-0.2429 I0.55 J0.
N880 G1 X1.5556
N890 G1 G15 H1 X1.5556 Y-0.2429 Z-0.5 S10000 F180.0 M8
N900 X1.6308 Y-0.2801 F180.0
N910 G3 X1.7137 Y-0.2929 I0.0829 J0.2622
N920 G1 X2.7071 F180.0
N930 G2 X3.2071 Y-0.7929 I0. J-0.5
N940 G1 Y-2.2071 F180.0
N950 G2 X2.7071 Y-2.7071 I-0.5 J0.
N960 G1 X1.293 F180.0
N970 G2 X0.793 Y-2.2071 I0. J0.5
N980 G1 Y-0.7929 F180.0
N990 G2 X1.293 Y-0.2929 I0.5 J0.
N1000 G1 X1.8137 F180.0
N1010 G3 X1.8967 Y-0.2801 I0. J0.275
N1020 G1 X1.9719 Y-0.2429 F180.0
N1030 G0 Z1.0
N1040 G0 G15 H1 X0.3616 Y-4.9868 Z1.0 S8565 F128.5 M8
N1050 Z-0.4
N1060 G1 Z-1.0 F128.5
N1070 X0.1057 Y-4.5 F200.0
N1080 G2 X-0.4997 Y-4.0179 I1.8943 J3.0
N1090 G1 X-1.0315 Y-3.8775
N1100 X-1.0133 Y-3.324
N1110 X-0.5 Y-3.5214
N1120 G3 X0.844 Y-4.5 I2.5 J2.0214
N1130 G1 X1.1896 Y-4.9279
N1140 X3.6384 Y-4.9868
N1150 X3.8943 Y-4.5
N1160 G3 X4.4997 Y-4.0179 I-1.8943 J3.0
N1170 G1 X5.0315 Y-3.8775
N1180 X5.0133 Y-3.324
N1190 X4.5 Y-3.5214
N1200 G2 X3.156 Y-4.5 I-2.5 J2.0214
N1210 G1 X2.8104 Y-4.9279
N1220 X4.9755 Y-2.6575
N1230 X4.5 Y-2.9338
N1240 G2 X-0.5 Y-2.9338 I-2.5 J1.4338
N1250 G1 X-0.9755 Y-2.6575
N1260 X-0.8627 Y-1.5839
N1270 X-0.5 Y-1.9974
N1280 G3 X4.5 Y-1.9974 I2.5 J0.4974
N1290 G1 X4.8627 Y-1.5839
N1300 X4.9755 Y-0.3425
N1310 X4.5 Y-0.0662
N1320 G3 X4.0815 Y0.4933 I-2.5 J-1.4338
N1330 G1 X3.9507 Y1.0275
N1340 X3.3771 Y1.0111
N1350 X3.5803 Y0.5
N1360 G2 X4.5 Y-1.0026 I-1.5803 J-2.0
N1370 G1 X4.8627 Y-1.4161
N1380 G0 Z1.0
N1390 X-0.9755 Y-0.3425
N1400 Z-0.4
N1410 G1 Z-1.0 F128.5
N1420 X-0.5 Y-0.0662 F200.0
N1430 G2 X-0.0815 Y0.4933 I2.5 J-1.4338
N1440 G1 X0.0493 Y1.0275
N1450 X0.6229 Y1.0111
N1460 X0.4197 Y0.5
N1470 G3 X-0.5 Y-1.0026 I1.5803 J-2.0
N1480 G1 X-0.8627 Y-1.4161
N1490 X1.3572 Y0.9533
N1500 X1.0457 Y0.5
N1510 G3 X2.9543 Y0.5 I0.9543 J-2.0
N1520 G1 X2.6428 Y0.9533
N1530 G3 X2.9266 Y0.1392 I0.6052 J-0.2455
N1540 G2 X2.4773 Y0.3215 I-0.9266 J-1.6392
N1550 X2.6542 Y0.087 I-0.0601 J-0.2294
N1560 G3 X2.7963 Y-0.1702 I0.2923 J-0.0064
N1570 G2 X2.7963 Y-0.1702 I-0.7963 J-1.3298
N1580 G1 G15 H1 X2.7963 Y-0.1702 Z-1.0 S10000 F180.0 M8
N1590 X2.8343 Y-0.2379 F180.0
N1600 G3 X2.8897 Y-0.2923 I0.2185 J0.167
N1610 G2 X2.8897 Y-0.2923 I-0.8897 J-1.2077
N1620 X3.0058 Y-0.3872 I-0.8897 J-1.2077
N1630 G3 X3.0702 Y-0.4306 I0.1844 J0.204
N1640 G1 X3.1441 Y-0.4543 F180.0
N1650 G0 Z1.0
N1660 G0 G15 H1 X4.9763 Y-3.3249 Z1.0 S8565 F128.5 M8
N1670 Z-0.9
N1680 G1 Z-1.5 F128.5
N1690 X4.5 Y-3.5999 F200.0
N1700 X3.9803 Y-4.5
N1710 Y-5.05
N1720 X3.5742 Y-5.0496
N1730 X3.5943 Y-4.5
N1740 G3 X3.6299 Y-4.441 I-1.5943 J1.0
N1750 G1 X4.5 Y-2.9339
N1760 X4.9763 Y-2.6589
N1770 Y-1.9929
N1780 X4.5 Y-2.2679
N1790 X3.3415 Y-4.2745
N1800 G2 X3.183 Y-4.5 I-1.3415 J0.7745
N1810 G1 X3.0855 Y-5.0413
N1820 X2.4566 Y-4.9972
N1830 X2.6919 Y-4.5
N1840 G3 X3.0531 Y-4.108 I-0.6919 J1.0
N1850 G1 X4.5 Y-1.6019
N1860 X4.9763 Y-1.3269
N1870 X4.9743 Y-0.3427
N1880 X4.5 Y-0.0642
N1890 G3 X3.7321 Y0.383 I-0.7679 J-0.4358
N1900 G1 X0.2679
N1910 G3 X-0.5 Y-0.0642 I0. J-0.883
N1920 G1 X-0.9743 Y-0.3427
N1930 X-0.9763 Y-3.3249
N1940 X-0.5 Y-3.5999
N1950 X0.0197 Y-4.5
N1960 Y-5.05
N1970 X0.4258 Y-5.0496
N1980 X0.4057 Y-4.5
N1990 G2 X0.3701 Y-4.441 I1.5943 J1.0
N2000 G1 X-0.5 Y-2.9339
N2010 X-0.9763 Y-2.6589
N2020 Y-1.9929
N2030 X-0.5 Y-2.2679
N2040 X0.6585 Y-4.2745
N2050 G3 X0.817 Y-4.5 I1.3415 J0.7745
N2060 G1 X0.9145 Y-5.0413
N2070 X1.5434 Y-4.9972
N2080 X1.3081 Y-4.5
N2090 G2 X0.9469 Y-4.108 I0.6919 J1.0
N2100 G1 X-0.5 Y-1.6019
N2110 X-0.9763 Y-1.3269
N2120 X-0.9743 Y-0.6573
N2130 X-0.5 Y-0.9358
N2140 G3 X-0.4968 Y-0.9415 I0.7679 J0.4358
N2150 G1 X1.2353 Y-3.9415
N2160 G3 X2.7647 Y-3.9415 I0.7647 J0.4415
N2170 G1 X4.4968 Y-0.9415
N2180 G3 X4.5 Y-0.9358 I-0.7647 J0.4415
N2190 G1 X4.9743 Y-0.6573
N2200 G3 X4.1032 Y-0.9572 I-0.263 J-0.651
N2210 G1 X2.4763 Y-3.775
N2220 G2 X1.5237 Y-3.775 I-0.4763 J0.275
N2230 G1 X-0.2084 Y-0.775
N2240 G2 X0.2679 Y0.05 I0.4763 J0.275
N2250 G1 X3.7321
N2260 G2 X4.2084 Y-0.775 I0. J-0.55
N2270 G1 X4.1032 Y-0.9572
N2280 G1 G15 H1 X4.1032 Y-0.9572 Z-1.5 S10000 F180.0 M8
N2290 X4.0333 Y-1.0038 F180.0
N2300 G3 X3.9808 Y-1.0692 I0.1856 J-0.2029
N2310 G1 X2.433 Y-3.75 F180.0
N2320 G2 X1.567 Y-3.75 I-0.433 J0.25
N2330 G1 X-0.1651 Y-0.75 F180.0
N2340 G2 X0.2679 Y0. I0.433 J0.25
N2350 G1 X3.7321 F180.0
N2360 G2 X4.1651 Y-0.75 I0. J-0.5
N2370 G1 X3.9308 Y-1.1558 F180.0
N2380 G3 X3.9004 Y-1.234 I0.2382 J-0.1375
N2390 G1 X3.895 Y-1.3177 F180.0
N2400 G0 Z1.0
N2410 M9
NT1 G0 Z20 G17 G40 G80 G94
N2430 G111 T1 Q3
(OPERATION - .375 SPOT DRILL)
(TOOL NO - 1 DIAM - 0.375)
(TOOL COMMENTS - )
N2470 M1
N2480 G15 H1
N2490 S3410 M3
N2500 G0 G90 X1.6464 Y-1.1464
N2510 G56 Z1.0 H1
N2520 M8 F14.3
N2530 Z0.1
N2540 G81 X1.6464 Y-1.1464 Z-0.14 R0.1 F14.3
N2550 X2.0 Y-1.0
N2560 X2.3536 Y-1.1464
N2570 X2.5 Y-1.5
N2580 X2.3536 Y-1.8536
N2590 X2.0 Y-2.0
N2600 X1.6464 Y-1.8536
N2610 X1.5 Y-1.5
N2620 G0
N2630 G0 Z1.0
N2640 M9
NT3 G0 Z20 G17 G40 G80 G94
N2660 G111 T3 Q4
(OPERATION - .204 DRILL)
(TOOL NO - 3 DIAM - 0.204)
(TOOL COMMENTS - )
N2700 M1
N2710 G15 H1
N2720 S4681 M3
N2730 G0 G90 X1.5 Y-1.5
N2740 G56 Z1.0 H3
N2750 M8 F14.3
N2760 Z0.1
N2770 G83 X1.5 Y-1.5 Z-0.8113 R0.1 Q0.204 F14.3
N2780 X1.6464 Y-1.1464
N2790 X2.0 Y-1.0
N2800 X2.3536 Y-1.1464
N2810 X2.5 Y-1.5
N2820 X2.3536 Y-1.8536
N2830 X2.0 Y-2.0
N2840 X1.6464 Y-1.8536
N2850 G0
N2860 G0 Z1.0
N2870 M9
NT4 G0 Z20 G17 G40 G80 G94
N2890 G111 T4 Q19
(OPERATION - 1/4-20 TAP)
(TOOL NO - 4 DIAM - 0.25)
(TOOL COMMENTS - )
N2930 M1
N2940 G15 H1
N2950 S1000 M3
N2960 G0 G90 X1.6464 Y-1.8536
N2970 G56 Z1.0 H4
N2980 M8 F50.0
N2990 Z0.4
N3000 G84 X1.6464 Y-1.8536 Z-0.75 R0.4 F50.0
N3010 X1.5 Y-1.5
N3020 X1.6464 Y-1.1464
N3030 X2.0 Y-1.0
N3040 X2.3536 Y-1.1464
N3050 X2.5 Y-1.5
N3060 X2.3536 Y-1.8536
N3070 X2.0 Y-2.0
N3080 G0
N3090 G0 Z1.0
N3100 M9
N3110 G112
N3120 G15 H0
M30
%

spot drill, drill and tap, rough pass at each depth for each shape and then a finish pass at each depth for each shape: 3 minutes flat, bobcad version 20, and I finally found a good use for the stopwatch app. on my I-Phone.

well, after posting I realized that a simple profile pass wont make this part corectly (brains been coasting this afternoon). So I did it again with the holes then pocketing path to leave the 3 shapes at each level and a finish pass for each: 2:58.7 seconds. Yes, my stopwatch has tenths of a second. Bobcad version 20

6 min 51 sec ... KipwareM .. no drawing required, no CAD experience required ...

"This didn't include drawing the geometry." ... I think you need to include that.

Real World Machine Shop Software @ www.KentechInc.com

what is the purpose of this test...

3:05 to model geometry in Pro/E WF4
6:55 to program in MasterCam X3MU1 with a completely blank file and created new tool and parameters for each operation. Bear in mind there will be a lot of air cutting since I made simple toolpaths. Like several of the other respondents here, if I spent a couple more minutes in the program, I could probably knock the machine time down by half (and perhaps more) using more specific tools with ramped toolpaths, toolpath trimming and/or core milling. (I know that some of the low dollar CAM systems don't have these capabilities.)

Boston:

To see how honest people are? Just kidding. LOL

This is loosely associated with the "CAM Test - Tool List Creation" thread.

The purpose was to try and give a rough speed comparison between different CAM systems. But I can see I made the part too simple. I "may" try a test with a more complex part next week, perhaps with some 3D surfacing. Depending on how popular this test becomes.

The creation of the geometry should be included in the time.

Oh, and no cheating using Len's solid files. Thanks Len, that was very considerate of you to model the part, but it would skew the test results. LOL

--
BottleBob
http://home.earthlink.net/~bottlbob his is loosely associated with

Although this was a fun test I think it's way too simple to give an idea of CAD/CAM performance. For my system it was more a test of how fast I can click through menus and input parameters. Someone else might have taken half the time or 3 times the time, with the same software.

In the real world stock/holding/tool choice/cosmetics/tolerances/whatever can make a huge difference. Also perfection vs. good enough etc. The only thing easily tested would be drawing/modelling, maybe this should be separated from machining if you make a second test. And when the parts get more complicated there'll be even more variables. Not to mention the skill of the user.

Sometimes a seemingly simple part can take ages and a complicated one might just be a few clicks with feature recognition.

But a fun exercise all the same

no it's not cheating you asked for a programming test, not a drawing/modeling then programming test...with the same model everyone is using the same file to put code on the part, now that is a fair comparison...i get 95% of the files from some solidmodeler, then bring it into SW, add material, fixture, vise or clamping if needed. now is the part comming out of a rectangular, round or casting, is it being held in a vise with softjaws and cutting 2 sides, double stick tape (yes i use that alot) bolted to a sub plate...now there is the test of time. lets set up some parameters like stock size and shape, methode of holding, matrial being used and the part is finished, not left on a block of material.

then here is another kicker...design changes and how quickly the cam package does those?

JMO...we can just do some simple clicks to put code on to get low numbers.

Why don't you guys that took the test post your code? I'd for one like to run it through ncplot or something to see how the toolpaths actually look.

I didn't include the geometry creation because there are two ways featurecam can program this part. The way I did it was to create three bosses from user defined curves and one hole pattern where I didn't have to draw anything just tell the software the number of 1/4-20 holes and where the center of the bolt circle is, kinda like conversational programming. FeatureCAM can also program this with feature recognition (which I don't have) so if you import the model and have all your tools setup feature cam will program this and select all the appriate tools automatically. There are windows where you can setup parameters for milling, drilling, tapping, etc. so feature recognition will program each part just the way you want it programmed. Btw it took a little longer for me because I just upgraded to FeatureCAM 2010. It's supposed to be faster and can use multiple cores in the processor now, but I'm still running a P4 single core and the simulation is horribly slow since the upgrade. Most of the time I'm watching a backplot type sim just because I can't wait forever for the solid sim. I have a new computer but haven't had a chance to get all my files transfered and all the machines connected yet.

Anyway post your code. Like mentioned before there is more to programming than how fast you can program an easy part.

I'd also like to see multiple fixture parts programmed. FeatureCAM is excellent at programming multiple parts in fixtures or vises. They make it easy to arrange the ops so your not waisting time rapiding all over the place.

Another good test would be a part programmed on multiple sides. FeatureCAM is also very good at this and 4th axis positioning and wrap are included in in the 2.5d package.

"Why don't you guys that took the test post your code? I'd for one like to run it through ncplot or something to see how the toolpaths actually look."

O1111(TEST)
G20G40G49G54G80G90G98
T1M6
M13S5000
G0X0Y0
G0Z1.5G43H1
G99 G81 X0.5 Z-.08 R.1 F5
X0.3536 Y0.3536
X0. Y0.5
X-0.3536 Y0.3536
X-0.5 Y0.
X-0.3536 Y-0.3536
X0. Y-0.5
X0.3536 Y-0.3536
G80
M9
G91G28Z0.0
M1
T2M6
M13S2500
G0X0Y0
G0Z1.5G43H2
G99 G83 X0.5 Z-.8 R.1 Q.2 F7
X0.3536 Y0.3536
X0. Y0.5
X-0.3536 Y0.3536
X-0.5 Y0.
X-0.3536 Y-0.3536
X0. Y-0.5
X0.3536 Y-0.3536
G80
M9
G91G28Z0.0
M1
T3M6
M13S500
G0X0Y0
G0Z1.5G43H3
M29 S500
G99 G84 X0.5 Z-.5 R.3 F25
X0.3536 Y0.3536
X0. Y0.5
X-0.3536 Y0.3536
X-0.5 Y0.
X-0.3536 Y-0.3536
X0. Y-0.5
X0.3536 Y-0.3536
G80
M9
G91G28Z0.0
M1
T4M6
M13S1500
G0X0Y0
G0Z1.5G43H4
X-1.3727 Y1.48 Z0.1
G1 Z-0.2F5.
X-1.48
Y1.3727
G2 X-1.3728 Y1.4799 I0.7729 J-0.6656
G1 X-1.48 Y-1.48
X-1.3727
G2 X-1.48 Y-1.3727 I0.6656 J0.7729
G1 Y-1.4799
X1.48
Y-1.3727
G2 X1.3727 Y-1.48 I-0.7729 J0.6656
G1 X1.4799
X0.7071 Y-1.2271
X-0.7071
G2 X-1.2271 Y-0.7071 I0. J0.52
G1 Y0.7071
G2 X-0.7071 Y1.2271 I0.52 J0.
G1 X0.7071
G2 X1.2271 Y0.7071 I0. J-0.52
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To All:

Ok, here are some times from my antique 2004 GibbsCAM on my home computer.

52 seconds: To create the geometry - Triangel, Circle, Square, Bolt hole pattern.

42 seconds: To create the 4 tools on the fly.

3 minuted 17 seconds: To program the part roughing all the steps leaving .005 stock on each, and then going back and doing a finish pass to size. (the old standard - rough everything before finishing anything)

4 minutes 51 seconds: Is the total time using this method, INCLUDING geometry creation.

Now there are a couple of ways to automate some of this. IF the tools were "Saved As Process" it would take 30 seconds to load them. (this old Gibbs can only load them one at a time)

Gibbs can also save processes - tools & operations.

2 minuted 43 seconds: Is what the machining would take by saving the spotting/drilling/tapping cycles as a process and just selecting the bolt circle points and hitting the "Do it" button. And this incluses the manual programming of profiling with the 1" end mill. But WITHOUT adding the geometry creation step.

3 minutes 35 seconds: Total time INCLUDING the geometry creation step.

So what's the conclusion here? Heh, that there are quite a few time variables depending on how you want to plan your processes, even using ONE CAM system, let alone considering all the varied features of different CAM systems.

Actually IMO this is a fun learning experience. I wish I had thought about doing this years ago.

--
BottleBob
http://home.earthlink.net/~bottlbob

Bob

You have forgotten one major thing. Starting stock!
Important as some of the CAM systems need to draw the stock boundary, while others need to define it at the start.
I would have added 2 more things to the list.
A closed pocket and an open feature of any sort, even if it's a slot.
The pocket should be small enough to force a toolchange, and accuracy should be set to +/-.001, so a whack-pass with a rougher won't suffice.

This test is actually a good one as it allows some flexibility from the programmers perspective. You can machine from top down or bottom up, which will impact the cycle time. Some CAM does recognize non existing material, while others want to machine the whole stock at each step OR force you to draw new boundaries by hand.
And - from experience - there should also be some overhang between the top square and the round portion, so one can't just click on closed end-to-end geometry to create the chain. I'd make the square a little larger than inscribed but making the corners truncated by the circle.

You know what might be a good way to judge systems is for us to install a mouse click counter and travel counter. This way we could count how many mouse clicks it takes to preform an operation and how far you have to push your mouse around.

I looked around and there are a lot of them out there freeware http://3d2f.com/tags/count/mouse/meter/

This would get around some of the variables in operator speed and how some guy's can fly at picking things even though the CAM system is working them to death. You could start with very simple specific operations, like creating a contour around a part using a tool from the library with a specific type of lead in and lead out.

Could be interesting.

This test doesn't really give you any useful information.

JW:

What kind of test would you recommend?

--
BottleBob
http://home.earthlink.net/~bottlbob