Message Thread:
Looking into using Mozaik, but...
2/12/18
Website: http://www.seatonfrank.com
We are a small two man shop looking into upgrading to a CNC at some point. I was researching software, and decided to go with Mozaik, because we have been using Sketchup pro to do our drawings. Does anyone know what will happen with Mozaik, now that the free version of Sketchup 2018 is browser based?
2/12/18 #2: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
Website: http://www.HeritageWoodwright.com
The only thing that Mozaik uses Sketch up for really is rendering. Mozaik is a very powerful design program that takes design, creates g-code and sends it to the CNC. They write post for most all CNC's. We are very happy with their business model and capabilities.
2/12/18 #3: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
Website: http://keysoftwareservice.com
before you buy ask these questions,
will i have enough work to pay for this cnc
do i have enough space for this cnc
do i have enough air for this cnc
do i have an air drier for the cnc
do i have ample dust collection
does my 2 man team have time for a cnc
answering phones,,dealing with that lady holding 5k for a staple nail hole on the crown,,,cutting,,edgebanding, assembling,,finishing,, delivering and installing,,,
after i buy my new router i will need software,,(cad and cam)
autocad -5k(maybe you dont need)
alphacam/mastercam/mosaik/enroute/6k
and post processor needed for software
my advise is to find the a post processor that is 100% to your machine
take a look at alpha cam-primarily because
you can will have the least headache with post.
i push it when installing ,homag,biesse or scm machines,,,holtzher machines comes with hops,,,
2/12/18 #4: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
If your a sketchup user (I assume the pro version) you should look at Cabinetsense. It is a subscription based plugin that you can start and stop monthly if needed. Its 75 a month for the CNC version. So if your shop were to move into a job that is all hardwoods and molding you could opt out of the subscription for those months.
If you are not using the PRO version of SU I would ask why? The cost of SU pro is trivial compared to other paid programs and we use it on a daily (honestly a minute by minute) basis for providing drawings, renderings, shop drawings, presentations, and so on.
Mozaik is fine if your focusing stricktly on cabs. Our shop (with a CNC) does a multitude of varied work. We are doing 3D texture panels at one point, cabs on a semi regular basis, architectural millwork at another, molding packages the next day. SUPro, VCarve Pro, and Cabinetsense are all we need.
If your looking to CNC software is critical but evaluating what your week to week needs are really effects software choice.
2/12/18 #5: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
Re-reading Chevy's post Im confused. A post processor? At the assumed level of the OP a machine will come with a post and any software you will use (that is worth its salt) better be able to output to that post? GCode with arcs will do anything a cabinet shop needs unless the machine runs some proprietary post? No?
-Having the work for the machine is obvious.
-Having good, clean, dry, air, is imperitive.
-DC is trivial unless your talking a monster 150K machine in which case someone wouldnt be asking these questions.
-A lady holding a check over a "staple nail hole in crown" has a viable grudge for the shop that shot crown with a staple.
Im a proponent of SU in that it allows for versatility as opposed to being strictly a cabinet based software package.
We can design completely unique 3D textures and elements in SU and export them in a mesh for 3D work. We are able to create and export STL files to the CNC. All within a single piece of software that we are able to become fast and dynamic using. We are not limited to operating in a single software environment. If a customer wants some lineart drawing converted to 3D and carved into their raised panel door we can draw it, render it, and machine it, it a flash using only two applications.
Not saying its the only way. But the OP mentioned SU. Its been a major plus for our business.
2/12/18 #6: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
Website: http://keysoftwareservice.com
there are cnc routers for under 150k?
after
cnc purcahse
rigging
installation
electrical
air compressor
air drier
dust collector-
software,
2/12/18 #7: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
Website: http://keysoftwareservice.com
just my opinion,
2/12/18 #8: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
Website: http://keysoftwareservice.com
sorry to divert from the original post,,
Mozaik is very nice stuff the very affordable and the cnc addon comes with a post processor ,,,
its direct competitor of Mozaik is Sai Enroute,,,also subscription based,,the pro version comes with a post processor for all cnc routers on the market today included with the price,,also videos and triaining material are free,,
2/12/18 #9: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
When you purchase a subscription to Mozaik they provide a link to sketchup 8, which is the free version.
2/12/18 #10: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
We use mozaik on a daily basis and almost never use sketchup. There is a built 3d viewer now, along with added cad design tools in the multiprint function.
I can only remember one time in the last 50 kitchens that I went into sketchup, and it wasn't even necessary.
2/14/18 #11: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
Just wondering if anyone is using Mosaic with a SCM machine? I was unaware of Cabinet sense, does it work on any CNC?
Has anyone used both of them? How do they compare to each other?
2/15/18 #12: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
Scm is listed on the post processor page, but you should give them your exact machine, controller and setup to make sure.
CNC Routers Linked to Mozaik Software
2/26/18 #13: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
Mozaik is pretty nice, There are tons of training vids and you can send jobs to the help desk if you're stuck, for free.
There is a forum as well. The training vids and the forum are software users only.
You can also purchase training time blocks.
When you first get it you have to buy 3 months and a training session is included in that. After that it's is $125 a month for the cnc module. That's from quoting to managing offcuts. Basically everything you need.
Updates are frequent and included in the price.
You don't need sketchup at all. If you want to look at something in sketchup and take it apart and check everything that's fine.
You do all of your actual building in the Mozaik though. Get design for the trial period and check it out.
Call or email them about your specific post needs as well. They probably have it covered, but it's free (and smart) to ask.
5/29/18 #14: Looking into using Mozaik, but... ...
I purchased a cnc router about 9 months ago and went with Moziak. I am very satisfied with it. Be fore that I used Cabnetware which I was very happy with. I ran cabnetware through a beam saw and point to point. It worked fine it just to a little bit of time to "tweak" it just right, but that is all software. Who ever owned cabnetware pulled the plug on it and there is no support, no nothing and I was not comfortable with investing this much money and time without some sort of support on the software end. The company I bought from has posts for most popular software. I purchased moziak because I figured that if I did not like it I was not on the hook for more than a few hundred dollars so I gave it a try and have never looked back. I also got vcarve pro to make parts on the cnc that are not cabinet parts. I can do anything I want with these two programs, both work very well. My tech who set up the router had post for both these programs and he installed them while he was here and to this day I have not had a problem. Now a days integrating software is not nearly the problems it was 18 years ago, but the advice I give anyone getting into a cnc is to do your homework, figure out the costs, your need to buy software,most likely upgrade your computer system, getting a rigger to move the machine, you need clean dry air, (which you should have anyway), running the electrical to the machine, dust collection. Then be patient cause it is going to take you a few years to get really good at running your machine. I never forget I cut a whole bunch for a guy out of 1/2" mdf 7 or 8 bundles, and they were kind of odd shaped and I did not even come close to estimating the cost of cleaning up twice a day, and throwing away the scrap ( I had to get a 20 yd container) .
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