CNC

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Advice choosing CAD/CAM software small shop

12/30/20       
Jim Member

Website: https://quickcamper.com.au

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a CNC to make my own lightweight cabinets for the campers I manufacture. I currently produce a cutlist in SketchUp which goes to a cabinet maker. I then build the cabinets from the manufactured parts.

I'm struggling to find the right software to get from CAD to CAM which has everything I need. I've just spent about 50 hours learning fusion 360 and still can't figure out if it nests into multiple sheets of plywood. I use about 5 sheets of lightweight falcatta ply per build.

I think I need:
- parametric
- re-usable components that I can use in multiple designs, each design is different but uses common features
- dogbones for dovetails
- nesting into multiple sheets of plywood
- generation of toolpaths

Can anyone recommend software that fits these requirements?

Thanks for help and advice.

12/30/20       #2: Advice choosing CAD/CAM software sm ...
Karl E Brogger  Member

Website: http://www.sogncabinets.com

I use Mozaik and am happy with the results and the cost.
Cabinet Pro will do what you want from what I understand.

Are you talking about dog bone dovetails for drawers?

12/31/20       #3: Advice choosing CAD/CAM software sm ...
Thomas

Jim, We have used cabinet pro for many years. It has the capabilities to do everything we have needed. When it can't, Frank is able to solve the problem. They are a great company and are honest people. Give them a call. We used Mozaik for a while. It is a good program and was great for most jobs. We do a fair amount of "odd" cabinets which Mozaik could not do.

12/31/20       #4: Advice choosing CAD/CAM software sm ...
james e mcgrew  Member

Website: mcgrewwoodwork.com

I have used Cabnetware (since the 90s) Cabinetvision, and literally most all of the others,
There are simple box programs which are far more powerful than most give them credit for (like Cabinetpartspro) these will not design yet will nest and cut on a cnc based on box entry details and sizes (250.00) you can even use Vcarve pro by Vectric for Buukooo tons of custom stuff (I still do)

all that said I have been using Moziak for a few years as well as drawing some submittals in Cabnetware and outsourcing larger jobs. I started on a 4 x 8 machine with a single z (20-25K) and went to a solid frame ATC machine 8 years ago for under 45k all told, you can spend as much as you want but if you Like Me cannot due that then due dilligence is what will save and not waste your money.

12/31/20       #5: Advice choosing CAD/CAM software sm ...
Jared

I'll throw in this suggestion also: have a look at Vectric VCarve Pro. I use it to do all the oddball things Cabinet Vision doesn't, and I'll make a guess that your cabinets for campers have some special needs that may not be easy to do with typical kitchen/bath software. Also it's surprisingly affordable.

1/1/21       #6: Advice choosing CAD/CAM software sm ...
routalot Member

I'd go along with the recommendation for Vectric Vcarve Pro.It does dogbones,although in typical Vectric style,they give them a name nobody else uses and refer to them as T-bones.There are lot of post processors included in the package and it isn't hugely expensive.You even get the ability to cut 3D objects as long as you import them as .stl models.

1/4/21       #7: Advice choosing CAD/CAM software sm ...
Peter Matos

I know that Fusion360 has either a built in nesting option or a plugin that nests your parts on plywood sheets. I have not used it because most of our parts we do in Fusion360 are odd one off custom built items that I just pull to the side and create a setup for with the stock size I want/need. Then just toolpath over it. It is fairly simple and copy and paste of setups and machining operations is your friend here. Unless you make a LOT of custom cabinets I do not think I would recommend a dedicated cabinet software for this as you describe. Fusion360 makes good toolpaths and we use it daily in a commercial shop for the things that Mozaik cannot do or does not do as well.


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Sponsors
    • Limtech Industries, Inc.
      CNC Routers, Machinery for Woodworking, Plastic and Other Non-ferrous Metal Machining Applications
    • Weinig Group-USA
      Wood Moulders and Knife Grinding Equipment
    • NEMI
      Products For CNC Machines - Digitizers, Tool Setters, Vacuum Pods, Vacuum Cups, Vacuum Tables, Vacuum Chucks and Software
    • Southeast Tool, Inc.
      High Quality Tooling at Competitive Pricing
    • MachineryMax
      New and Used Machinery for the Professional Woodworker
    • Safety Speed Manufacturing
      Economical Vertical Panel Saws, Panel Routers, Edgebanders and Widebelt Sanders
    • ULTI-BOARD
      The Ultimate Spoilboard - ULTI-BOARD - Specifically Engineered and Formulated for the Ultimate in Spoilboard Performance - Not Your Ordinary Sheet of MDF.
    • Carter Products
      Band Saw Guides, Blades, Wheels, Tires, Line Lasers and 2D Projectors, Wide Belt Sanding Accessories, Vacuum Holding Systems and More
    • Charles G.G. Schmidt Co.
      Tooling for Shapers, Moulders, Tenoners, Planers and Routers
    • Simantech
      New & Used Machinery, Supplies, Tooling, Parts, and Abrasive Products
    • Holz-Her US Inc.
      Custom Edgebanders, Vertical Panel Saws, CNC Beam Saws, Wide Belt Sanders, CNC Point to Point Boring Machines, CNC Routers
    • Biesse America
      Woodworking Machinery - Machining Centers, Edge Banders, Feeders/Stackers, Panel Sizing Centers
    • EX-FACTORY INC.
      Offering New & Used Woodworking Machinery including Auctions & Liquidations

    Become a Sponsor today!