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Microvellum

5/6/14       
Irving

We are a small commercial casework shop. We have a beam saw point to point and an edgebander. We are in the process of learning Microvellum. I am asking for advice from shops that have used it and implemented with success. If you have any dos and don'ts or something you would have done different I would like to know . Its a bit overwhelming and was just looking for some suggestions . Thanks

5/7/14       #2: Microvellum ...
Mike

After working with it for a few years, I'd say that if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't. It is capable of building cabinets, and the parametrics are generally good, but the g-code output for nested based routers is horrible. I hear people with point to point machines are generally happier with the machine programming part of the program. If you want to make it work, then you should invest in some training. There is a lot of meat to the program and many of the operations, functions, and formulas are not intuitive to the beginner.

5/12/14       #5: Microvellum ...
Scott R Smith  Member

MV can have a steep learning curve strong AutoCAD, Excel and computer skills are best. If every Millwork company did things the same way, then MV would be simpler. Because MV lets you do things “your way” success’s are more pronounced with some, one time, front end work and the knowledge of using a tool to find the shortest distance between two points.

Microvellum provides exceptional training and support; use this to your advantage. Training by a certified Microvellum trainer really needs to occur, before the benefits of their support staff can be fully utilized.

Certain CNC’s are harder to talk to; this is true for both PTP’s and NBR’s. If you have a new model CNC, accept the fact that it may take some time to get the toolfile (or postprocessor) dialed in. e.g. Weeke’s require almost no tweaking, old Biesse’s can be very difficult to dial in. If you have a difficult CNC, communicate to management and the floor that test programs are just that.

MV’s strength is repetitive items and casework, there is no magic button for one off’s. Learn to identify what should be through parametric (or formula driven) products and what should be done through the single part editor; sometimes the combination of both is warranted.

MV is template based software. Allot time to do some one time set up to your global variables and material files to fit all commonality possible. The goal should be when you start a new job there are setting that you change on a regular basis.

MV forums are a powerful resource.

Hope this helps,

http://community.microvellum.com/

5/15/14       #7: Microvellum ...
Larry

The MV forum will be more helpful than their not so good tech support. The G-code quality varies from pretty good to goofy. As said by another on this post it is better for repetitive things that can be setup as parametric. There is a lot in it, maybe too much. Good AutoCAD understanding will help a lot. All software seems to have it's quirks and MV sure has its share. Take some training and be prepared for a long journey. If I had it to do again, I wouldn't either.

5/15/14       #8: Microvellum ...
Lenny Scianna  Member

Website: http://www.microvellum.com

In the past, Microvellum has had sub-par nest optimization results. So this year (2014) MV has integrated a whole new algorithm that is 1000x better plus includes a “Stay Down” option. I’ve attached a couple sample screen shots for the record.


View higher quality, full size image (906 X 592)


View higher quality, full size image (834 X 555)


View higher quality, full size image (658 X 703)

5/15/14       #9: Microvellum ...
Larry

It desperately needed a stay down option, it made the router think it was a pogo stick. It also had erratic movement from one cut to the next, certainly not optimized. We have VS 7 but haven't implemented using it due to the problems we've had when "upgrades" were made. Why can't they keep consistent terms and pointers from version to version?

6/15/19       #10: Microvellum ...
John Member

I just started at a cabinet shop that uses MV, and I want to study on my own time instead of solely relying on the person who is training me and I need to learn how to read the paperwork...most of what I'm finding is on the designer's side of things, how to actually use the program instead of the builder's side. Any website suggestions or helpful advice would be much appreciated.


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