The Home Machinist!

BOBCAD Manual
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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.

Here is a manual in MS Word. Must be logged into hotmail or skydrive to view.
BOBCAD Manual

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

Jim

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Tool & Die Maker/Electrician, Retired 2007

So much to learn and so little time.

www.outbackmachineshop.com

Where in Florida are you staying?

John B
Orlando area

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http://www.ngshay.com/
Shay drawings and castings

This is our fourth trip to Homossasa Florida. We are 50 or 60 miles North of
Tampa. Crystal River is 8 miles North of here. We stay in an RV Resort in our
1989 Itaska motorhome and Ford Focus as the toad vehicle. Don't laugh, its paid for. . Be here untill Feb 1 then home around Feb 6.

This area is very quiet, not crowded and not real expensive. Not very many rich people or poor people pretending to be rich around. The area is still blessed with quaint bars and restaurants and flea markets.

Not many beaches around either so we don't have beach lovers around either.

Got to run, Bingo starts in 20 minutes.

Jim

_________________
Tool & Die Maker/Electrician, Retired 2007

So much to learn and so little time.

www.outbackmachineshop.com

I'd be very weary of any program that has 23 versions... Can you say, "Lets make a new version and charge full price instead of fixing the bugs in the previous version!"