[marksaus]

Hi all,

This is a recurring thread, but I hope the specifics of my question warrant starting a new one.

I run a company in Madrid, Spain, in which I use a SCM Pratix Z5, 5 axis CNC machine, with a 3x1,5m worktable.

I make all sorts of furniture and pieces, there is little repetition, so I need something flexible, that allows me to do 5 axis interpolation easily. Since this is a business and luckily growing, I am prepared to spend money on the software, I'm not looking for a budget/pirated solution, but for a top of the line software, that comes with training and support.

In Europe most people seem to take Alphacam as the only option, but thanks to CNCzone, I do wonder if that's the best option for me. I would like a software that allows me to do whatever I can think of, and ideally with a cabinet making solution, whereby I tell it sizes of a cabinet, joinery I wish to use, and it will generate a cutting list and all programs without having to tell it where I can this drill, that dowel or whatever.

Please let me know if you require any more information to respond. So far I have asked Alphacam and Mastercam for quotes, but welcome any advice. I don't want to spend 12K on a software to find out a few months down the line that it wasn't the ideal option!

Thanks,

Marcos

[ger21]

I think that SCM has a partnership with AlphaCAM. Our Morbidelli (from SCM) came with AlphaCAM as well.

As far as I know, AlphaCAM and MasterCAM are probably the biggest 5 axis woodworking specific packages out there.

I'm not familiar with any 5 axis software for cabinetmaking. There are plenty that will do what you want for 3 axis, but I doubt you'll find an automated 5 axis solution for your cabinet parts.

You probably need to research all the cabinet programs available, and see if any support 5 axis? Cabinet vision, or Top Solid are two main ones.
Even if you find a cabinet package to support 5 axis, you'll probably still need a separate 5 axis CAM package for non cabinet parts.

You might also consider Rhino and RhinoCAM or MadCAM.

[marksaus]

Thanks Gerry,

I also think there is some sort of partnership. When I was visiting the SCM factory in Italy, whenever I asked how to do something complex, the operator's response was "Alphacam". I am on the right path then with alpacam and mastercam. I will also look into Rhino and MadCAM. Note taken on the fact that I might want to consider the 5 axis software and the cabinet solution as two separate things, that makes quite a lot of sense...

I believe the distributor in Spain for Mastercam also carry Topsolid and various other solutions, so hopefully they'll be able to advise.

Cheers, Marcos

[headscraper]

SCM 5 axis machines are very commonly teamed up with Alphacam. Also a good choice for the woodworking environment.

[marksaus]

I just had a demo for Topsolid and was very impressed. It seems to be a solution like Alphacam, but adding a furniture design feature kind of like sketch up. The good thing is they are both integrated, so you get alphacam's functionalities, ADDING furniture design with a ton of options and cool things. I am very interested, I now am waiting for a quote, though I fear it is going to be more expensive than the already pricey alphacam... Any experience with topsolid anyone?