The delivery of my Grizzly G8689 has been delayed until tomorrow but I'm trying to get everything else figured out. I picked up some aluminum to use for the stepper mounts today so I'll be ready to get started manually making those.

I have AutoCAD and Mach3, am I correct that I design a part in AutoCAD, save it as .DXF and then import that into Mach3, convert to G-code and that's basically it ?

I know I have to set up my table parameters in Mach3 and the homes but I'm trying to get a clear understanding of the steps and "absorb" it all.

Thanks

You will need a program that creates the g-code.

Example

I start a project in VcarvePro set up the tool, speed, depth, stepover if needed and it creates the tool path, I then load this g-code (toolpath) into mach3.

Thanks, but what does the "generate G-Code" do in mach3 then ?
Forgive me if these are dumb noob questions, just trying to get a grip on it.

Hi ssCNC, where are you seeing "generate G-Code" ? Mach3 can't import a dxf anymore, that I know of. It comes with a trial version of LazyCam which is a Beta CAM program you can try out and make a g code but there are only so many things it can do in the free version.

True that you'll need another program to turn the dxf into gcode.
I generally use DeskCNC (http://www.deskcnc.com/) for the simple stuff, drilling, contouring, pocketing but it's 3D capable.
It's pretty cheap, $250 compared to other 3D CAM software.
There are a couple free CAM programs such as CamBam (http://www.brusselsprout.org/CAMBAM/)
or Desk Engrave (http://deskam.com/deskengrave.html) for text engraving.
Don't forget to check out Bob Adams CNC Programming Software Tools (http://www.cad2gcode.com/index.html):)
There are tons more to choose from, read over some of the reviews and links here (http://www.computersculpture.com/Pages/Index_Links.html#CAM).
P.S. Mach 3 is loaded with wizards that will create gcode for you
by simply punching in your numbers (hit enter to set)

If everything is new to you then starting with the wizards in Mach3 is a goood place to start. It takes away a part of the learning curve until you are ready for it. The wizards are very comprehensive.

Phil

The delivery of my Grizzly G8689 has been delayed until tomorrow but I'm trying to get everything else figured out. I picked up some aluminum to use for the stepper mounts today so I'll be ready to get started manually making those.

I have AutoCAD and Mach3, am I correct that I design a part in AutoCAD, save it as .DXF and then import that into Mach3, convert to G-code and that's basically it ?

I know I have to set up my table parameters in Mach3 and the homes but I'm trying to get a clear understanding of the steps and "absorb" it all.

Thanks

I got to tell you, this is the best site on the web, you guys are so helpful, thanks.

fretsman, Where I'm seeing it is: file-import .DXF-then step 4-generate G-code

Hoss, thanks for all the links, I'll go read them in a moment.

And philbur, The wizards were one of the first things I found when I was checking out mach3, I was/am real happy about those, that was good thinking for the developer to include those. I'll be using the wizards to start with as you say.

I have licensed my mach3 so I should be good with that SW.

Thanks again, on to reading more...

Steve

The Newfangled wizard is a very good plug-in but it is separately licensed from Mach3. It is worth the $50 though.


The only problem with lots of the wizards are the measurement labels. There are several (Newfangled included) that do not have reference to axis and you don't know which axis goes with what measurement. (It says length and width etc.) On some, logic is correct and width was X axis. On others it would use Width for Y. So always run your code in air if you can first. I have lost a few bits not remembering which was which.

I'm trying out Cambam. That's making sense to me now, you have to set tool paths, tool size, and depths. (ofcourse)

SS have a look at dolphin to theres a forum on here too

http://www.dolphin.zenwebhosting.com/frame_set.htm

easy to use and not expensive

mike

If you are starting from absolute zero CAM-CNC experience then I suggest starting out writing at least a little G-code by hand. The wizards in Mach are great, and so is CamBam, but when you are starting with a completely unknown, untested setup, they add a lot of potential places to make a mess.

Basically, with CAM or Mach wizards, you are getting G-code generated for you after flipping a bunch of switches. Flip one of those switches the wrong way (and there's a lot of them) and you will get a surprise.

Machinists using modern control systems like Haas or Fanuc can probably go years without looking at a G01 because the engineers who built the tools worked all the quirks out. While you can try and do the same by copying other peoples' builds as closely as possible, it can get very frustrating if something goes wrong and you're clueless as to how to fix it.

You don't need to know much beyond G0, G1, G3, and where to look up the rest of them, in order to be able to help yourself out of a jam. As programming goes, this is very simple stuff. You *can* get into very complex G-code and there are guys here who do, but for hobbyist purposes you just need a little familiarity. Once you get the kinks worked out, Mach and CamBam will let you accomplish an awful lot very nicely.

I use Vcarve Pro and I will say its worth every penny. If you are just going to use this on your mill though you could easily get away with Cut 2D (150.00) from Vectric. I have never had a support question go over 6 hours un-answered (not that I ask them to often) I started out writting by hand but as I felt more comfortable to go faster and take larger cuts I couldnt keep up with the typeing. Bought vcarve, design what I want to cut out, load and setup, press run and walk away. If I ever have an error is more than likely my fault because of my setup Ie not tightening the vice or forgetting where I made the zero at.

When I tried out Mach3 I remember the same button. This was a few years ago so bear with me. They use to be able to convert right in mach3 but I think they gave up on that and started lazy cam. The intro to lazy cam was first coming out when I was testing out mach3 and didnt have any good luck with it so I was on the search. I also want to say Ger21 has made a cam program or pluging for Autocad. http://www.cnczone.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&file=viewarticle&id=65

Good luck and welcome to the addiction

When I tried out Mach3 I remember the same button. This was a few years ago so bear with me. They use to be able to convert right in mach3 but I think they gave up on that and started lazy cam.

That's exactly why I asked, he must have an older version as that option isn't present at this point ..or a few past points, lol!

I would at least try playing with LazyCam since the basic version is free but if you're truly serious, I agree with Regnar and try Cut 2D. :)

Another free CAM program I forgot to add is G-Simple (http://www.gsimple.eu/index.html).
Lots of good features and best of all it's totally free.

I have been checking out Cut 2D since Regnar suggested it and was about ready to go with that but G-Simple looks fine for me to start with. Thanks for all the help.

I use Dolphin and couldn't be happier. They have a location here in the US also.

I'm trying out Cambam. That's making sense to me now, you have to set tool paths, tool size, and depths. (ofcourse)

Let us know how you like it please.

CR.

Another free one you might want to try is D2NC (http://www.d2nc.com/index.html).
You can draw your shapes with it or input a dxf.
Also includes some wizards.
Free for hobby use.
It can be made a part of Mach 3 and import the gcode directly into it.
Hoss

I create my g-code in AutoCAD with a macro I wrote. The link to download it is in post #65.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8226

Let us know how you like it please.

CR.

I'm trying to go through the CamBam tut for the sample timing pulley but all I keep getting is round toolpaths, toolpaths don't follow the pulley. I tried the x axis dxf from Hoss and CamBam runs rings around it too.

It seems that the tut is off because it says to go to edit-select polylines-convert to polylines then select polylines-join polylines but those choices aren't in the edit. Different things are and I can't figure it out, at least not yet. EDIT: I just found join at the top of the edit menu and have made some progress in learning this.

Is there a video tutorial on CamBam ?

And CamBam isn't free anymore.

I'm really liking Cut 2D, I'm learning it quickly, so far.

SScnc,

I use some of the best CNC programming software in the industry. But when it came to doing engraving and sign making on my K2 router I bought Vcarve Pro from Vectric. I did this because it it so lightning fast and effective in creating CNC code and getting the part done. It also works great with the Mach3 software too.

Times change, the older version of cambam .8 is still free at least.
I tried the Cut 2D demo too but it won't load my AutoCAD dxf's. :(
Think I'll give ger21's Autocad macro a try.
Looks cool.

Hey Hoss,

I got Cut 2D demo to load one of your dxf's the other day and it ran the 3D tool path animation perfect. It's on my laptop and I don't remember exactly how I did it but I can go back through it and check if you want.

Steve

Hi Hoss,

Thanks for taking the time to review Cut2D and sorry to hear there seems to be a problem with your DXF files. If you export the designs using the DXF R12 or R14 versions, these should work in Cut2D.

If you are still having a problem email a file to - support (at) vectric (dot) com and we'll take a look.

Thanks,
Tony