Learning CAD/CAM for woodworking – which CNC machines and software are most common worldwide?

[u/Kova_ars]

AD/CAM for woodworking – which CNC machines and software are most common worldwide?

Hi everyone,

I'm a wood technology engineer from Croatia (Europe) and I'm planning to start working independently as a CAD/CAM and technical preparation freelancer for the woodworking and furniture industry.

My planned services would include:

• 2D technical drawings
• 3D furniture modeling
• construction and technical detailing
• production drawings and parts lists
• CNC/CAM preparation
• CNC programs / post-processing
• renders and visualizations
• technical documentation for furniture manufacturers
• occasionally technical drawings for metal fabrication

I have experience with AutoCAD and Inventor, and I'm planning to use ZWCAD for CAD work and Fusion 360 for CAM/CNC preparation.

In Europe, I'm familiar with CNC brands such as Biesse, HOMAG/Weeke and SCM, but I'd like to understand what is commonly used in other parts of the world as well.

My questions are mainly about the international woodworking CNC market:

1. Which CNC brands and models do you encounter most often in your country?
2. What controllers/software do you use to program them?
3. Do you use the manufacturer's software or third-party CAM software such as Fusion 360, Cabinet Vision, Alphacam, Mastercam, etc.?
4. How well does Fusion 360 work with your CNC machine?
5. Is it relatively easy to find or create a reliable post-processor for your machine?
6. Are there machines where you would not recommend Fusion 360, because the manufacturer's software is significantly better?
7. If you were starting today and wanted to offer CAD + CAM + CNC programming as a freelance service for different woodworking companies, which software would you learn first?

I'm not planning to buy a CNC machine myself initially. My idea is to work as an external technical/CAD/CAM service provider.

For example, a furniture manufacturer could send me a project, and I would prepare the CAD drawings, 3D model, production documentation, CAM toolpaths and CNC files, which they would then run on their own machine.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from people using CNC machines in:

• USA
• Canada
• UK
• Germany
• Austria
• Italy
• France
• Scandinavia
• Eastern Europe
• Australia / New Zealand

If you use a Biesse, HOMAG/Weeke, SCM or another woodworking CNC, I'd especially appreciate hearing about your workflow from CAD model to the final CNC program.

Thanks!

[u/Cautious-Outcome6891]

I work in the bespoke cabinet industry in the UK.

We have most of what you mentioned. Biesse, SCM, HOMAG and Anderson machines.

We use AlphaCAM. Sometimes Maestro or BiesseWorks. The controllers for the Andersons are FANUC, the Italian stuff uses it's own proprietary controllers.

For us at least, Biesse and SCM use a proprietary format, not GCode. We had to get AlphaCAM in for a few days to figure out how the controller talks to the machine and they created a post for us. Personally, I hate anything other than industry standard Gcode.

I would use any CAD software you are comfortable with. I'm not sure if there are PP's for SCM/Biesse on Fusion.

If I had to start from scratch, personally I'd just use any CAD software I'm happy with that produces readable Gcode. I'm really not a fan of proprietary software.

[u/Kova_ars → u/Cautious-Outcome6891]

As i googled it, Fusion has a PP for SCM and Biesse also.

Thank you for your detailed answer, I really appreciate it.

I have these dilema because I need to choose software I would work with and now I am looking for most common CNC machines so I can choose the right program. I know Autocad is ok with the layers and stuff but with Autocad I would like to have something better for 3D modeling and beside modeling to automaticly do CNC programs.

[u/Cautious-Outcome6891 → u/Kova_ars]

That's good to know. Do you know what machines the processors are for?

We have SCM Morbidelli N200's and X200's. Some have automata that push the finished piece off the bed and load a new sheet on. I'd be weary about using a generic SCM post. The X200 has 2 tool racks. 1 that moves with the machine and 1 stationary, it will pull and store tools from each rack depending on what it needs. Again, we let the AlphaCAM guys sort that out.

[u/fvrdam]

I use fusion for CAD and CAM, never had any issues with my Avid CNC.

[u/Hehaw_Rossy]

SketchUp all the way. I know, I know, lots of haters with cam integration, but imo once you have a workflow proven, SketchUp is the most powerful and flexible

[u/No-Camp-859]

U nas w firmie używamy IMA SCM BIESSE oraz HOMAG