Partworks

[wegner81]

Does anyone draw there cabinet parts on partworks. If so do you have any tips. I was thinking I could draw parts with specific toolpaths, save, and open again and change sizes. Is this a possibility or is there a better way. New bot to arrive soon. trying to get ahead of the learning curve. Thanks for any advice. Kevin

[Gary Campbell]

Kevin..
I started out doing exactly that in Parts Wizard. We now use VCPro (PartsWorks), many more features. I have looked at many different cabinet cutter programs and the only one that comes close to what I need is Cabinet Parts Pro. Because we do so many one off's, with nothing that is the same, even CPPro files have to be redone with every new case.
Just start by drawing out in PartsWorks by drawing a cabinet panel and add toe notches, dado's, hardware holes and cut a few out of mdf when your machine arrives.

Hint: when laying out area clear rectangles for dado's make sure you extend the end of the rectangle off the edge of the sheet at least 1/2 bit diameter to eliminate those annoying little 1/4 circle remnants. Also... learn to use the layers to bring features into and out of each panel. Good Luck!
Gary

[andre]

Kevin
I started using partworks and love it for v carving and other intricit design works.
But for drawing straight forward cabinet parts I prefer part wizard and still use it for that.

[thewoodcrafter]

Ever since we got screwed by the guy in Florida (remember Patrick Toomey) I have been looking for an automated way to produce cabinet parts. I have been drawing each part in V-Carve Pro and nesting manually. This takes a lot of time and is prone to errors. I have not reused many parts. It seems like it took longer to try to reuse a part than it did to redraw it. V-Carve Pro is very user friendly and I can draw a new part pretty fast.
I design in E-Cabinets, print out the sheet material parts list and start drawing in V-Carve. I need to refer back to E-Cabinets for partition locations and a few other things but I can't pay $12,000 for something like KCDW.
This is very time consuming and I, also, would really like to hear about others procedures for this.
My purchase of Cabinet Parts Pro well over a year ago was very disappointing and I will not purchase it again (now does dados)because I never could use it the first time.
Still waiting for Mitch Cain to complete his software, I-Cabinets.

How else are you guys producing cabinet parts?

[Ryan Patterson]

I have been working on new nesting software to nest dxf drawings and save the nested sheets to a dxf file. This is also the start of a new version of Cabinetpartspro. PartNester is still in Beta testing. There is a menu item for tool paths and is still under development. When using the tool path feature you will be able to select a tool path option base on the layer name. I will have more on the tool paths soon. If anyone has any questions or comments I would like to here from you info@cabinetpartspro.com (mailto:info@cabinetpartspro.com)

CabinetpartsPro (http://www.cabinetpartspro.com/Part%20Nester%20Pro.htm)
This is a direct link to download the setup file. It is a free download. http://www.cabinetpartspro.com/Beta/NesterSetup.exe

There are three ways to nest parts using PartNester.
1: Use a CSV file. A CSV is a file that most cabinet design software use to nest the parts. The CSV file lists all the dxf files that needs to be included in the nesting. Video how to nest using a CSV file http://www.cabinetpartspro.com/Beta/ImportingCSV.zip

2: Enter in the size of parts needing to be nested. Video of use http://www.cabinetpartspro.com/Beta/EnteringParts.zip

3: Open DXF file one by one that needs to be nested. Using this option would allow you to have a parts library. Draw all the parts you would need in Partsworks or Cad program saving each part to one dxf file. You will then be able to open choose the dxf files you would like to have nested. To use this option select file then open dxf file. Select the dxf file you need the click open. Part Nester will then determine the size of the drawing and add it to the parts list. Continue the process of opening the dxf file until you have all you would like to have nested. Video Coming soon.

[andre]

I like this debate.
So years back I had a chance to use cabinet vison with an expensive CNC and I thought it was great..... until I researched the price.
This could be a whole other debate on overhyped and price design software. $10,000 plus yearly maintainence? Are you kidding, for drawing and cutting rectangles?
What do we need to accomplish as a cabinet maker. We need to cut out rectangles and squares with holes and slots, a seemingly almost mundane task for a cnc. Using a software program like KDW or cabinetvision is like killing an ant with a tank. sure you get to do things like see an exploded view of your parts or a 3d angle of the cabinet and change the textures and all that cool visual stuff. Nesting is nice, but How many of us have stacked blocks as kids? Lets face it, if you can build a cabinet with conventional tools you can figure out how to stack blocks so they fit on a 4x8 sheet. I think the big software programs do to much of the thinking for us, and some shops like that which may suit them. I dont want to stop thinking of how I build my cabinets. I use part wizard for my cabinet parts. I draw stock pieces that stay the same, such as bases with toe kicks. All the custom size pieces takes me less than 15 minutes to draw and nest. Tool pathing is simple. If you want a fully automated system you should look at thermowoods which includes e-cabinet software with there CNC. Clever and a great value for those who can afford 60-$80,000.
So there is my dollars worth.

[wberminio]

I have to say,as one -two man shop we do not only make cabinets but,have to design entire units,wall units/entertainment centers/offices/kitchens... etc
We also have to sell ,sell ,sell these things-at a
profit.
How?
Time =$$$$
More Time =$$
Less Time =$$$$$$$$$$

We all bought a Bot as a tool to save time
(Less Time =$$$$$$$$$$)

Software is a tool to save Time
(Less Time =$$$$$$$$$$)

Shopbot=$$$$$
Software=$$$$

Shopbot+Software= Less Time
Less time=$$$$$$$

I use Kcdw.I bought it many many years ago with a lease.
I've upgraded to their One Button (leased also with new Shopbot)

I can now go from Elevation Drawings to 3D perspective to Client to OK from Client to deposit
to (very soon) Shopbot.(clients love to see their job in 3D/I can make changes quickly as I sit with them)
This program has saved me hours upon hours of time
(less time=$$$$$$$$)
I am not trying to sell anyone on a specific software.I truly believe that software is a tool.
Good tools cost $$$$$,But save time.
Over the years I have gone from a 5+ man shop
to One man shop and have increased my output by upgrading my equipment.I have never had the cash to do it,so I leased the tools equipment/ software.
I have always tried to buy wisely(I only make the same mistake 3 or 4 times,eventually I learn)

That's why I bought a Shopbot

Erminio

[andre]

Software is definitly a tool
buy what suits your needs. I like the idea of showing a full 3d drawing, but in my experience the rendering never matches the final product. I show customers a 2d drafting drawing of the scale and proportions and some details. Along with photos of previous work, this satisfies most of my customers. I dont recall ever losing a job because of lack of conceptual drawings.
But On the same hand I have never relied on this type of approach so perhaps I might be missing something. I dont see the significant time savings in such software to justify the expense. I am always open to improving efficiency as long as the cost benifits are clear and dont take ten years to pay off. My PRS alpha will pay for itself in 2 years, so it was a very easy decision for me and would have been almost irresponsible for me not to buy one.

[wberminio]

Andre
I guess we're both saying the same thing.

All this is relative to the work we do.For example,I can see spending the money on my design software for my present needs,but not for Artcam.(Though I have my feeling,my thinking is about to change as I get more involved in CNC).

The one thing is certain,because I bought a Shopbot,this discussion is even possible.
An Italian proverb says:
"The more a person knows the more he's worth"

That's what this is about

Erminio

[andre]

I'll second that

[wegner81]

Thanks for the great advice. My ? was answered I can draw cabinet parts and save them. I also am a little old school. That is I still use my drafting table and line drawings. I am also familiar with software from my previous employer. I did all the layout and imput for a small cabinet shop. That has been some time ago, I'm sure that things have changed. My son has joined the buisness with me and between the two of us I hope we can get the hang of this. Now I know all the post I read early on where guys were getting excited about there shopbot being delivered,I thought it was kinda funny but now the shoe is on the other foot. I can't wait. Thanks again

[andre]

Congrats Kevin.
Be prepared for a ride. The set up is some work.
Things need to be leveled tightend,rechecked and squared. Take your time and read through the forum on assembly and maintainence. there is a ton of info about it. I had issues which all were resolved and I have a few answers if you need help.
Andre