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Mozaik

1/6/14       
Brian Member

Is anybody out there using Mozaik for Euro-style laminate cabinets? I am considering renting it for a while to get my feet wet with the whole computer thing. We use CAD and En route right now but I am looking for a little assistance with shop drawings and G coding.
If you are using it, how is it working out? My CNC operator spends too much time on the drafting office and I want to assist him in anyway I can to speed up the process. Does it seem like it streamlines things for you?
Thanks,
Brian

1/7/14       #3: Mozaik ...
james mcgrew

Website: http://mcgrewwoodwork.com

I would take a trip through the videos, I have used it when needed yet most of our work has been reception counters walls, custom donor boards and lots of repetitive lockers. they have a forum and the initial trial is easy enough on the pocket book, it has a very strong design capacity yet most all of my drawings are out sourced so I create one wall place cabs go nest, machine. it is some pretty doggone good software !

1/7/14       #4: Mozaik ...
redg8r

make sure theres a post available for your machine.... thats what we're waiting on.
Rented the design portion & its pretty damn robust, Sketchup & layout are 2 nice programs to have as your backbone.

1/7/14       #5: Mozaik ...
james mcgrew Member

Website: http://mcgrewwoodwork.com

Here is video page, they do a doggone good job with this.

Videos

1/9/14       #6: Mozaik ...
mike

I looked into Mozaik a bit ago and was told there was no post for thermwood, does any one know if this is still accurate?There are sure a lot of thermwood routers out there to not build a link to them.I am sure it probably has something to do with e-cabs.

1/20/14       #7: Mozaik ...
Benjamin

Website: http://www.kitchenconnection.net

Seeing that 2 other guys have posted the exact same problem with Mozaik, namely no working post for their machine, I hereby add my name to the list.
I have a brand new SCM Pratix S12b NBM CNC.
I bought Mozaik, invested time to learn this admittedly awesome and powerful software, waited for the post, the post they sent didn't work, I contacted SCM in Italy for a solution to the riddle, they said Mozaik needs to pay them to write the post. Meanwhile I am waiting and I got conflicting messages from Mozaik as to whether they are truly motivated to do what it takes to create a working post and win my business, or am I waiting for the cows to come home?!
I even offered to pay them extra to do the post and get me up and running.
I just cannot understand the dynamic!
In case Roger or Kurt (nice guys by the way) from Mozaik are reading this post, I say it's a shame that your truly great product is not EASILY available to ALL cnc owners. Please do what you can to help us all out for our mutual benefit! And take that as a compliment.
In the meantime, does anyone know of decent and AFFORDABLE cabinet software, with automatic nesting that you can also manipulate manually, with a working post for SCM Pratix S12b, with a 7 vertical drill bank. It reads a .iso file or .pgm file which I currently generate from the primitive proprietary CAD software Xilog Maestro. Hard work programming individual parts when I do kitchen cabinets! Any workable suggestion gladly welcomed! Thanks.
Benjamin.

1/28/14       #8: Mozaik ...
redg8r

Figured I would elaborate my experience.
I paid out my own pocket to test drive the design version.... I'm an employee, not an owner & likes what I saw.

I talked the boss into trying the CNC version, yet theres no post available for our machine. I've contacted Mozaik multiple times about a post, I connected them with a tech rep @ HolzHer, they're seems to be blood between the team @ mozaik & various CNC mfgr's for whatever reason.

My boss has asked about progress on the software, but 'm stuck with no response from Mozaik.if its a $$ issue, we'd be happy to pony up for the post....not sure whats going on.

1/29/14       #9: Mozaik ...
Will

Mozaik is pretty good at creating posts for machines on request. They were with us. They have a lot of posts available for a lot of machines as well. I am not sure why a CNC manufacturer would not work with major software companies to help their CNC's work. This says more against SCM than it does against Mozaik.

I have been using Mozaik for almost a year now and think its the best thing since sliced bread and getting better all the time.

1/30/14       #10: Mozaik ...
Will

I think what we are seeing now is push back from the major software and CNC manufacturers. I have struggled with crappy software for the last 30 years and the choices were either mortgage my house for extremely complex software and having to pay huge amounts for support and upgrades, or, lock into cheap or free versions that really limited my ability to customize or limit my CNC options.

I knew that if anyone ever came up with affordable software that was based on an affordable customizable platform like sketchup, it would turn the industry on its ears. My only fear now is that Mozaik will be bought up by one of the major players and either priced out of the market, or changed to only operate on one or two CNC manufacturers that fall into line. I think people should think twice before purchasing either software, or a CNC that locks them into a rigid, second rate, expensive system. Lets keep the manufacturers accountable by demanding that they allow us to choose the options we want.

1/30/14       #11: Mozaik ...
james mcgrew Member

I actually have faith that with the History of Cabinet Software and knowing the Players involved Moziak is here to stay !! too many are still stuck in Old kickback mentalitys.. it is a new Economy and has been for a while,

1/30/14       #12: Mozaik ...
Scott

Any more word on Mozaik working with an SCM, I was going to check it out, but won't waste my time as I am a SCM guy. thanks

2/1/14       #13: Mozaik ...
Will

Scott,

There is probably an issue between Mozaik and SCM because Mozaik is usually pretty quick to write posts on request and for free for major CNC manufacturers.

Mozaik will export a layered DXF file which you could then import into your existing CAM software and it should work fine, however, I would be calling SCM and getting on their case regarding working with Mozaik.

2/1/14       #14: Mozaik ...
Benjamin

FYI, when Mozaik said they were "unfamiliar" with the syntax of the sample post I sent sent them (generated with Xilog Maestro, native to SCM) I contacted technical support at SCM in Italy for an explanation. They said they would be happy to help with the post if Mozaik would be in touch. I forwarded the contact details to Mozaik and waited. I offered to pay Mozaik extra money for the post, and waited again. I am still waiting, and basically gave up. I am currently looking into Enroute software, who claimed they can create a post within a few weeks at no extra charge. I just sent them a sample file with simple operations: perimeter route, route in a circle, drill a hole, park. By the way, my advice to anyone struggling with software to machine compatibility is this:
After superficially checking the features of the software to make sure it does what you need, send a sample file as detailed above if you can create one, and ask the software company to send you TEST FILES to see if your cnc actually reactes to the program. If it doesn't, get them to investigate the reason. Teamviewer is a great way for them to see what's doing on your end, and give some direction for a solution if necessary. By no means should you pay a red cent up front until the software is properly verified.

Benjamin.

2/1/14       #15: Mozaik ...
james mcgrew Member

With all the help I got, Phones answered, emails returned promptly, forum responses, and the custom post processor I got for FREE,, I have a feeling it ain't Moziak !

2/1/14       #16: Mozaik ...
Scott

Mozaik said they are currently working with SCM and that they hope the issue is resolved shortly.

2/1/14       #17: Mozaik ...
Benjamin

To clarify, Mozaik was definitely officially "willing" to help, yes they did respond to my emails etc, and I have no complaints about them. But for reasons not understood, they were somehow "unable" to solve the post.
Whatever the perplexing dynamics going on behind the scenes may be, as a business owner with work to produce, I must find someone who can actually deliver the goods. I'll leave the speculation to those with time on their hands. I'll let the forum know what happens in my case in due course, and hopefully it will be of assistance to others.
Benjamin.

2/1/14       #18: Mozaik ...
Richard

Hi Benjamin.

I can't speak about Mozaik as I have never used their products. Enroute however should be fine they created a post for my an SCM machine I worked on. There was a bit of back and forth until they got it perfect as SCM's code is less straight forward than some.

Enroute us also capable of importing batches of DXF files if you have the ATP module. So you should be able to export layered DXF files out of Mozaik and automatically create Code through Enroute. They may have to configure the ATP for Mozaik but they may already have it setup. I know they work with a number of CAD programs.

I have always found service at Enroute to be good to.

Will good luck.

Richard

2/2/14       #19: Mozaik ...
Benjamin

Thanks Richard,
I just finished a session with the software rep from Enroute. He seems to know what he's doing and he said he will back in touch with the post. In the meantime I must say it feels good having the confidence to know exactly what needs verifying before I pay. I'll keep you all "posted."

Benjamin.

2/3/14       #20: Mozaik ...
redg8r

Benjamin... what do you mean by verify before paying? I ask because Roger tells me they wont attempt the post until after we pay for CNC level subscription.

I have a small problem with doing that with no guarantee you will actually be able to machine anything w/ it.

The issue with SCM to my knowledge is that they are working on a universal post for all SCM machines & its slow going because SCM wants paid to assist.

2/3/14       #21: Mozaik ...
james mcgrew Member

At 125.00 per month, (initial Cost) and a post for a very expensive machine, I cannot say this would distract me, you gotta do this even if they had the post. And if they treat you like they treated me it will be worth it, I am sure if at the end of the day and it could not be done then a refund would be in order, it is a subscription based software with the history of all major cabinet making programs in its portfiolio, IE these ain't the "New Kids On the Block"

2/3/14       #22: Mozaik ...
Benjamin

Redg8r
What I mean is that this experience has taught me not to take it on trust when someone says "yes sure we have a post."
I think Mozaik sent me a post they had previously successfully written for another SCM machine, so I really do give them the benefit of the doubt, but obviously something changed on the SCM end. Frustrating for all, but I have my machine already, so now I am wiser and I started my next inquiry from the post end first.
As far as paying up front is concerned, in your shoes I would ask them what's the policy in the event that no post is forthcoming, and decide for yourself. As I mentioned previously, I offered to pay Mozaik extra for the post processor, but I never received an answer.

2/3/14       #23: Mozaik ...
Scott

James is kind of like the president, what he says packs a lot of punch. :) I think I will order the software as soon as I know it will run on SCM.

3/13/14       #24: Mozaik ...
Robin Smith

Website: http://www.blockandchisel.com

Maybe I am the exception, but I am successfully running Mozaik and an SCM router together (Routech Record 125).

I will say that there was a lot of back and forth to get the post working, and did involve quite a lot of research on my part.

Are you able to generate the .exe files from Mozaik?, you will need to convert these to .pgm files with the WinXiso utility from the Xilog folder.

I am just curious, so if you contact me, I will send you a .pgm file that was converted from a .exe generated from Mozaik. Let's see if Xilog will recognize the file.

Also, if you want to flip me the post, I'll take a look at it and see if anything jumps out.

-Robin.

5/5/15       #25: Mozaik ...
Benjamin

Hi all,
It's been some time since this discussion was alive, but Jim Walz's latest comment jogged my memory, so here is what has happened on my end since my last post:
I purchased Enroute + ATP. They were very helpful and professional with tweaking the post processor to perfection. Now the machine works, except for a few quirks which I believe can be resolved with a bit more work.
The problems I found were with the ATP function, which is supposed to nest and toolpath DXFs from the design software. I discovered that many important nesting and toolpathing features available in Enroute do not work when using the ATP. Plus a few critical issues with the nesting algorithms which the Enroute people could not fix.
My conclusion is that although Enroute is a pretty good CAD/CAM, it will not give me the speed and automation I need to run a production oriented cabinet shop.
So, after a long hard think about a year's frustration and research, I resigned myself to spending the big bucks and buying into CV and Alphacam. It took plenty of time and ruined material to integrate it into my SCM NBM CNC, but I have been using it for real production for 3-4 months now, and what can I say, it does everything I need and then some, in a logical, powerful, flexible, and streamlined fashion. Yes, there is a steep learning curve which I am continuing to tackle, but at least there a firm basis upon which to build. So if our purpose is to make money, then it is my hope that the benefit will justify the cost.
Benjamin.

5/5/15       #26: Mozaik ...
Richard

Hello Benjamin,

Yes this thread did seem to be long dead! I am sorry to hear about your frustrations with Enroute, especially as I recommended it to you. I am curious as to what functions did not work correctly? I have always found the ATP module to work well and be quite ideal for nesting and generating code for cabinet parts.

Richard

5/5/15       #27: Mozaik ...
Benjamin

Hi Richard,
No worries about the recommendation. I am sure it works for you or else you wouldn't have told me to go for it. I suppose each case is different. I didn't think the details were of interest to anyone, but as you are an Enroute user here they are!
1. Common line and daisy chain don't work via ATP.
2. The part tolerances (gaps) when you nest are inconsistent, and are not determined by the part itself, rather by the outermost toolpath. This causes unnecessary material waste.
3. The different nesting options you can choose also yield different gap results when you set the gap to say 0, or 1 or whatever. I.e., if you try to nest the same parts list using Legacy, New, Block, etc, the part spacings and sheet margins react unpredictably and there is no control. Try it for yourself and see. Bottom line is you end up wasting extra sheet material or hours of manual adjusting of the nest, or both.
4. Often manual changes to tool speeds and other settings don't "stick", and you get a nasty surprise at the CNC when parts move or burn as a result.
5. I tried nesting 6 simple rectangles that should happily fit on a 4x8 sheet, but ER doesn't rotate the parts to fit the sheet in certain scenarios, even when "can rotate" is checked. I tested this by making the sheet 8X4 instead of 4X8 and then it nests fine. And so on, bugs of similar nature.
My local Enroute dealer took my issues seriously and set up a meeting with one the brains behind Enroute here in Israel, Ran Rosin. I showed him all the above and more in depth, all of which he understood and accepted as problems. He forwarded the info to ER headquarters in Denver. But this was many months ago and last time I checked in with them there was no solution in the offing.
So the pattern I had experienced in the past, that of identifying fundamental problems with software, waiting and waiting for answers, and then moving on, repeated itself. I am not faulting the people at Enroute, they invested time and energy and displayed a willingness to help, but the bottom line is the software as is cannot serve my purposes. Cabinet Vision does.
If you can shed any light on the above I would still be very interested, as I already own Enroute and use it for the occasional one-off piece.
Best.
Benjamin.

7/9/15       #28: Mozaik ...
Benjamin

Hi all, it's been a while.
I have spent the last 6 months using Cabinet Vision (on trial) and spent 100's of hours painstakingly climbing the learning curve, and all our kitchens are currently produced on the CNC using CV. The reason I chose CV is obvious: It is the most popular cabinet making software in the US and perhaps around the world (?!), good support and forums, comprehensive and mature software, etc etc. Even if the price is steep, I assert if it is the only one that has power to deliver, I must bow my head and pay up.
HOWEVER, after getting aquainted with the CV world, setting up my standard construction methods, and succesfully using the software, I conclude that it is not for me! Sounds totally absurd I am sure, but I found customization to be a nightmare. CV is good at the global settings, and changing 1 or 2 individual details, but the moment you have an entire project or a part of a project that needs tweaking, the time it takes to create a brand new construction method, remember all the details buried within the wizards, and create further construction methods for say 4 cabinets in a job, does not justify. And becasue you are relying heavily on your memory for the details, it is prone to errors. Also, it becomes impossible to pass on the programming to an employee. And beyond cabinets, CV is useless. I know there are some CV geniuses like Jonah Coleman who can write long strings of programming code to manipulate the software to do things it was not designed to do, but that is not for me.
SO, I move onwards in my quest and I am now looking into the IMOS software, marketed in the US by RSA under the name Wood Cad Cam. Of course, it looks awesome and they promise you the earth, but I will only have a proper report for you guys in around 6 months from now. So long now, I am off exploring planet IMOS...
Benjamin.

7/9/15       #29: Mozaik ...
james mcgrew Member

Ya'll after all these years and owning all of the the softwares mentioned here, I am still nesting and machining with Cabinetpartspro at 250.00 those few minutes my guy keys in box types and sizes is a drop in the bucket now that We are are at full machine capacity daily. this software has always been my goto after all my experiments and all it does is make boxes (But hey we are in the Box business) added another cnc and bander and will hook up next week. learned how to scale and raster a dxf along with the dxfs sent by my Draftsman so all custom cuts are Still done With Aspire.


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