I got back to school for the summer semester and used my
student status to order the educational discounted Rhino.
Any recommendations for the CAM side package? I'd like to
get it while my student status is still valid.
C. Smith


I have not used it. So far I have got along by exporting
the Rhino file to Solid Works and most NC shops in my neighborhood
are using Solid Works.

Paul Lamar


C Smith,  I am exporting from Rhino 4 with .stl format to meshcam 3 to
generate the G-code files for a gantry router. You can download a demo
version to try out by searching "meshcam3" or grizsoft.com. If you don't
have your own CNC equipment you may not need G-code files since the CNC
parameters for tooling dimensions (diameter,taper,flute length, and
conventional or climb cutting) are needed for the offsets on the tool paths.
The machine shop will want to use tooling cutters they have in inventory and
specify which corner or the center for the "0" point. If they have CNC
equipment they will already have software for generating the G or M code.
For machine control EMC-2  (free to download) is very well featured with an
average learning curve.
       For a rotary engine end housing doing parallel roughing and
waterline finishing with pencil point cleanup to an accuracy of .0001 takes
about 3 minutes on a 1.8 Ghz processor computer and Meshcam3. I haven't used
it on the 3.4 Ghz quad core which would be faster but I have that one to run
the X-Plane simulator for the airframe testing.


At $29.95 for the flight
simulator with plane maker and airfoil maker included this is probably the
best value in experimental aviation software.This software has allowed me to
get an aerobatic 233 KIAS canard to glide at 58 KIAS with a vertical speed
of 380 FPM by changing wing incidence and canard location. Also useful to
establish CG limits and cruise speed numbers with fixed versus retractable
gear.

George grimes


I don't know about the later versions of Rhino but there are
a few things Rhino 3  doesn't do well. Variable radius fillets
and shells are a couple. If you export the files as stp's one has
the option of fixing that in Solid Works. What Rhino does better
and easier than Solid Works are compound surfaces.

Paul Lamar