I downloaded the demo last night and tried for several hours to get a profile cut of my part that I need. I have it programmed in VM5 and in MCX, but I had no luck on getting it done in SC4. I didn't even see a profiling option.

Simple profile, .015 z depth / cut

How would one accomplish this in SC4?

SC4 is REALLY easy. However, since it was written in Russia, they have some differant terms and processes than the domestic ones. In the process folders / finishing, you will see 2d contouring. That will make a perfect profile. You need to project your edges first if you are going to do specific lines or outlines. I'm a complete newbie, but hopefully I have been of some help. I took the plunge a purchased the Expert version. I've found the support and software top notch. Way above anything else out there for the price. Keep at it.

Richard

Step 1: Import, open drawing/model

Step 2: Push "project"

Step 3: Select "2D contouring" in finishing sub folder

Step 4: In "restrictions" delete model and select your outline profile (press + to add)

Step 5: In Parameters set up your cut

Step 6: Run post processor

Step 7: Enjoy.

Really simple example, but it really is that easy.

I import, and I select what to "Project" and it shows noting selected. This is just a 2D DXF I imported.

Without speculating. Could you email me the file? I'll get a good idea of what to do and give you straight forward instructions.

I attached the file here, as your email address is not public here to send it to.

Any help is appreciated.

Ok Don. I'm a newbie at this too, but here's how your file worked for me.

1. Import DXF/DWG (SpructCAM makes nice little folders out of all your curves, in the model you will notice all the curves.... Two ways of doing this, select the curves you want to cut and cut and paste them into a new folder, or delete all the unused curves.

2. In machining view: Select new, in finishing sub: select 2d contouring.

3. Go to parameters and select your tooling..etc.

4. In the bottom window below your machining list you will see Machine, Restrictions, Holes...... Select Machine and delete "Model" in it. Model will machine the whole part and we don't want to do that just yet.

5. Click the little computer / screen looking icon just above this. It will display your folders, select the inside curves you want to machine, and click the + icon.

6. Press run. That completes the inside cuts

7. Repeat above process for the outside curve.

8. Select postprocessor and your done.

I hope this helps. Looking at the part I would drill out the holes using the "Hole machining" function in roughing, then 2d contouring for the outside. Giving you a total of 3 tool changes, but the fastest machining.

Ok, I have done this before, and when I select say the left end to machine, it does a lead in, and lead out for ever line, or arc section. I need to join/chain them or something so there is only one lead in and out.

I will go through your steps again tonight, but I am sure I have done them before.

Thanks

In the curves folder you created, select those curves you want joined and click "Join". I've included your corrected file.

A little background to show you how easy SprutCAM is for me:

I'm a college student with very little experiance in machining CAD or CAM. No one around here teaches it. I struggled through BobCAD for a few months, but prayed for something simple. I've now been using SprutCAM for about 3 weeks. I still don't know alot, but it comes very easy now.

Thanks Borrisl,

I figure I will catch on quickly once I see how the basics work. That is what happened on MCX that I use at the college. I can use it pretty good, but have to do the work there, come home, test, then go back there. So I waste days easily.

I will give it a shot tonight and see. I bet there is something small that I am not doing or seeing, and when I find it, all will start clicking.

Thanks for your help.

Ok, that makes sense now. Still have a problem with something else, or I just don't understand. The tool path is now where close to what it should be, straight lines don't machine curves.....or amy I being to critical here?

This was a bug with imperial settings with version 4.123. They just released a new release that fixed that. Funny, the bug was only in that build and only for imperial users.

That is strange....

Okay.....just a simple comment...."Isn't profiling sorta of illegal in most applications...."..... :cheers:

That is strange....

Donald you can download the latest build 1.24 demo from my website : www.sprut.ca
If you already purchased SprutCAM you can get the latest build from your dealer, the problem you are having with the profile function has been fixed.
Give it a try. If you are still having trouble let me know send me a private message.

Ok, anyone have a link for a Mach 3 post for SprutCAM. I thought I saw it on there site, but I cannot find it.

Also, when I load my IGS file SC wants to convert it from cm to inches. SC is set to inchs, and so is alibre....did I miss a setting somewhere?

That issue was fixed in build 1.24 as far as i know.
For the postprocessor file click here : http://www.download.sprut.ca/temp/Mach_.spp

I didn't see one, but I've got one. This one is customized for my purpose (switched spindle, coolant, spindle speed, tool change location) but can work for anyone using Mach3.

ok, made some progress, but still getting this inch to cm conversion, do I want to scale box when I open SC from alibre. My drawing is in inches....

Ideas or help would be great.

Donald

It must be one of your settings. Here are some pictures of the settings of Alibre and SprutCAM.

In Alibre go to "Tools-Options-File Types" than you will have this window:

http://www.download.sprut.ca/temp/pictures/1.jpg

Then go to SprutCAM and make sure you have these settings:

http://www.download.sprut.ca/temp/pictures/2.jpg

After you click on "save as" select the "SprutCAM.cfg" file to save your SprutCAM settings.

http://www.download.sprut.ca/temp/pictures/3.jpg


Then give it a try. You can also try and use the SprutCAM addin button in Alibre. That should take care of the problem. ALso make sure you are running SprutCAM build 1.24 If you still have problems after that let me know and i will report this to the software engineers.

I hope that helps.

Krisz,

I changed SC settings as you show. I closed it and restarted it several times and it is holding the settings perfect. I also made the change to Alibre as well. I then tried to open my part from alibre in SC. It still wants to convert. I notice that the settings in SC are then change back to metric as well. The settings in alibre are still imperial.

Ok could you please confirm that you are using the build 1.14 demo version, or you have purchased the retail version of the software. I am going to let the software engineers know about this issue.

1.24. I am using the alibre version now(90 day one), and upgraded to 1.24

I saved the part as a IGS from alibre, then opened it directly from SC and it work fine. A extra step, but not a bad one. I am making progress, but having a tuff time still. Any real work I need to do, I end up going to college and using MCX as I know how to use it. Hole Maching is what is giving me issues now. I played with the tutorials last night, but made no progress. About to mess with them some more and see if I can figure it out.

I am choosing hole maching process, then selecting machine, deleting model, then selecting the 4 2.5mm holes I need to drill. What else do I do cause I end up with no G-code from it. In the simulation I see the drill bit, but it is just setting in the lower left corner doing nothing at all.

Send me your project so i can take a look at it and let you know where you are making the mistake. :)

Ok could you please confirm that you are using the build 1.14 demo version, or you have purchased the retail version of the software. I am going to let the software engineers know about this issue.

Hey Kris,
I too have this problem, but _only_ if I use the shortcut from within Alibre. If I export as an igs then open manually, it works just fine. Alibre say they are looking at it. Don't know if they actually are, but they said they would. :p
I'm using Alibre Expert (build 9,1,0,9333), and SP4 Expert, build 1.25.

Jason

Also try to change your .iges settings in your Alibre Design. Maybe one od the settings is off.

Also try to change your .iges settings in your Alibre Design. Maybe one od the settings is off.

Yep, walked through with support, and as near as we can tell, I've got all the settings right. But when starting SP4 from within Alibre, SP4 insists that the model being imported is in cm, not inches.

But, the work around (exporting to iges, starting sp4, importing) works, so I'm cool. :cool:

Jason

Well thats good to know :)
I think in the next release build 1.26 this issue will be fixed.

I think in the next release build 1.26 this issue will be fixed.

Do you happen to know when that is?

Actually, I'm more interested in fixing some of the other problems, the ones that don't have work arounds...:stickpoke

Ciao!
Jason

Of course they are not only working on 1 issue. They will fix many other bugs as well. Also they are working on the new version of SprutCAM 2007.
I dont know anything about release dates yet but for sure it will be posted on my website as soon as i know something.

Of course they are not only working on 1 issue. They will fix many other bugs as well.

Didn't mean to imply they were! I know how it goes, so was just curious if you had a general idea of what they were working on, fixes, features, etc. That's all.

Jason

Jason

I am not sure exactly what bugs will be fixed in the new build. I always get a spreadsheet of the fixed bugs and new features when the new build is released. The fix for this bug is confirmed to be in the next release build 1.26 which will be released in October.