RhinoCAM

What do you like best?

I'm using Rcam for 10+ years, machining 2D and 3D precision parts for the automation industry. Over the years, many of my suggestion was implemented, and the software has flexibilities what others don't. The Rhino CAD by itself, with its capabilities, contributes lots of the CAM plug-in. The post-processors can be customized to close to expectation. The tech support is (was) helpful, and most time, you can talk to somebody over the phone and troubleshoot problems online. If they are not available, then, at least, they respond relatively quickly by email. The cost of the software and maintenance is fair for the Pro (?) version.

Overall, the software is very logical and easy to learn compare to others.

What do you dislike?

Like any other Cam software, this one is not immune to problems. The more significant issue is the software has time to time few new features implemented, but they are half done. Unfortunately, the development team is not eager to fix problems, and often time they mix bug fix with enhancement/new feature. Over the years, Thread milling is not improved and unsafe to use unless you know few tricks. Tha Facing operation(s) are still have problem with inconsistent behavior, and you never know what step over value will do full clean up. Also, zero option where the tool starts, which can be quite the problem on some parts. In 3 axis world, some features work well but lack of options to produce desired tool paths for the best result. The only 3D roughing cycle still present-day can't leave uniform stock on Z level. Entry distance is not always there, especially when it is most required. Somehow never fails. Plunging into uncut areas are still problem and not always possible to catch or get rid of it. Lots of playing around with step-over distance to achieve full clean up level to level. You get I,J arc movements on X,Y but by some reason, the helical and under angle entry consist gazillion points...and the list goes on with mostly nuisance problems that never get fixed. Overall, if they would fix problems instead of adding new features with new issues, this software would be within the best. For CNC routers working with wood, probably none of the above possess too much trouble, but machining steel and tool steels can be a little costly when a inserted tool plunges where it not supposed to.

Regardless of the problems RCam is still an ok software. Nowadays programers make CAM softwares and many of them has no idea about machining and that goes to other CAM softwares.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

Powerful package to get started and keep adding on.

What problems are you solving with the product? What benefits have you realized?

The main benefit of the software the flexibility with Rhino CAD, which can import 3D files. With this option, you can bring in a new file into an existing one and makes the similar parts programing way faster, provided if you used curves, surfaces and points as machining entries. I found personally this way to be more productive compare to feature recognition software which never recognoze features properly. Of course, with better knowledge base handling this would be even more powerful but this is up the Mecsofts team.