MetalworksNate Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 Hey guys, I have been trying to get into makeing some custom aluminum molds for jigs,spinnerbaits, ect. I have some Cnc machines and have 3D cad/cam software for programming. I have learned while trying to design with my cad/cam software that it would be much easy to design from a strictly cad software then import the drawing into my programming software for code. Any one have any suggestions for cad software that would be cost effective and still get the job done? I have looked into solidworks, but it's a little pricey. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slimy Salamander Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 Rhinoceros 3D perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalworksNate Posted June 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 I will check that out thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 I use BobCadCam it is decent for drawing and willdo your Cam. Now with that said now i use Geomagic for my drawing and Bobcadcam for the machining. But the cheaper way would be bobcadcam by it self Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalworksNate Posted June 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 I have Featurecam 3D milling. It is fine for the code, but it's is tough for me to get the contours and shapes drawn for the mold with its cad side. It can be done but it is time consuming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 What ever program you use it will be a pretty big learning curve.you will have to dig in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNC Molds N Stuff Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 Two things. 1. Some folks may consider your post to be primarily self promoting. Since your post was also actually asking for practical help I am undecided personally, but its not my call anyway. 2. Look at Fusion360 by AutoCad. It has a pretty steep learning curve, but it does true 3D CAD with some incredibly powerful 3D sculpting tools. Its got built in HSM strategies in its built in CAM, and its free to hobbyists, educators, and startups. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalworksNate Posted June 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 I apologize if this seemed self promoting. I am new to the forum world. I am in no trying to promote. I was only hoping to find other people with similar approaches to mold making. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNC Molds N Stuff Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 The thread is not locked so you are probably good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNC Molds N Stuff Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 (edited) If you want to try a decent 3D standalone CAD program Viacad 3d pro isn't to bad. It does sheet or solid modeling or a little of both, and its only a couple hundred dollars. Shark is supposed to be better (same company), the price a bit more though. Edited June 21, 2016 by Bob La Londe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalworksNate Posted June 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 Thanks bob! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNC Molds N Stuff Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 If you truly want low cost the last alternative I mention is a program called FreeCAD. If I recall its Python based. I demoed it a while back, and found it to be a bit buggy, didn't really fit my work style, and more suited to geometric and mechanical work than organic modeling. I have been told it is much less buggy now, and that a CAM component is in the development for down the road. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slimy Salamander Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 Check the Facebook page of "Custom Lure Factory", all those designs were made in Rhinoceros 3D and they are fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalworksNate Posted June 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 Thanks slimy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
