I thought I might start a thread on Salome- an open source CAE application, which was described in another thread. I have to admit, I was confused about what Salome was- thinking that it was 'only' and FEA package using Opencascade. It turns out that Salome has an interesting CAD/surfacing module too.

Here is an overview:

http://www.salome-platform.org/home/presentation/overview/

I found the download section for a package that works under Ubuntu 8.04 Linux here :
http://caelinux.com/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=40

SALOME-MECA-2008.1-GPL

I was surprised at how easy it was to install. I am accustomed to having to track down loads of missing libraries, but everything was included with this package. It is very large (350MB if I remember right), but I didn't have to track everything needed down to get it running.

After installation, Salome starts up in a 'neutral' mode. It has a blank window. If one is to select the 'Geometry' mode from the upper pulldown box, the fun begins.

I was able to import IGES files into Salome. I was also able to create geometry and export IGES and STL files from it. I am just learning how to use it, so I hope that others, more experienced than me, can explain what they are doing with it.
Thanks,
Dan

Is that the part stuart was machining here?

YouTube - EMC2 cinci test cut

sam

Hi Sam,

Yes, that's the part.

Thanks,
Dan

I've built bunch of 3D models of parts for my scale F1 car models. See attached
pictures. I've generated toolpaths for caliper using trial version of MeshCAM and
was able to machine first test shoot. Toolpath wasn't idea and there was even one
error. So I will have to redo it. MeshCAM is going to expire soon and I'm looking
into free CAMs we have (or absence of them :( at the moment).

Is there any way of exporting primitive elements out of an mesh (ie arcs and lines) from Salome? This might help a lot in moving toward CAM. I use APT360 for CAM here and have written a DXF to APT converter to help me get from my drawings in Autocad2000 (under wine) or Qcad to g-code.

Dan

Conclusions after playing around with Salome the past couple of evenings;

--This is very capable software. I'm accidentally discovering useful features every time I 'play' with it.

--The documentation could use improvement. In fairness the same could be said of many pay $ cad apps. Maybe the help just needs to be dumbed down to my level ;)

--My cad skills suck. The software is clearly more capable than I am. :)

How do you export files containing more than 1 component? Must the components be combined into a single entity somehow? The posted screenshot is made up of 3 multi-rotations and 1 extrusion. Each of these components can be exported as individual .stl's into FreeMill. Not very useful LOL

Do you still have the .hdf file for that caliper? Maybe studying it would clear up some of my confusion.

Try to select all components and hit export. I did combine all items into one
"assembly". That would be work around if multi-selection does not work.
I cannot upload *.hdf. But here it is on my own server -

http://lezdep.dyndns.org:8080/f1/3D/front_caliper.hdf

I put all *.hdf files I have into

http://lezdep.dyndns.org:8080/f1/3D/

Feel free to check them out.

PS: If you need help email me to lezdep at gmail dot com.

That would be work around if multi-selection does not work.
I cannot upload *.hdf. But here it is on my own server -

Maybe it could be uploaded here in a zip. I've uploaded an audio file here that way. Having trouble reaching your server. Pretty sure I know why, but must go to work now, so no time to investigate.


PS: If you need help email me to lezdep at gmail dot com.

Thanks for the offer. You'll probably regret it:) For now I'd like to keep it here as much as possible so others can participate.

OT: Why does your user name give me the impulse to crank up the tunes? Maybe it's just my dyslexia. :)

Try now. My dynamic IP has changed. I've updated DNS record. So, it should work now.

Thanks lezdep.
Being a greedy sort I grabbed them all :)

No time to play today, but will likely be back with questions in a day or 3.

Well, your files did help :) How to combine some features is completely unclear in the documentation.

A couple of new screenshots. From nothing to simulated cutting done completely in linux. (With a bit of help from Wine ;) )

Maybe if I bump this tread often enough some others will become interested? To bad Salome doesn't have a Windows port.

Why would Salome need a Windows port ? There are bunch of 3D CADs for Windows,
including some pseudo-free, like Alibre. Free CAM for Linux is more of concern for me.
pycam looks promising, but fails on complex parts. I could not make FreeMill to work
under my Ubuntu 8.04 installation. After I reach "Post..." step and click on button, FreeMill
complains, that it could not save files :( Which location did you specify to install it ?
And which post-processor is compatible with EMC2 ?

Why would Salome need a Windows port ? There are bunch of 3D CADs for Windows,including some pseudo-free, like Alibre. Free CAM for Linux is more of concern for me.
Hey! I'm a linux user as much as anyone :) Truth is the best graphics people on this forum are Windows users. I'd be interested on their take on Salome. The odds that they would install linux just to test out Salome are slim to none. Also open source isn't an idea exclusive to *nix. Even Microsoft is on the bandwagon these days. Although in the case of MS I distrust their motives as usual. ;)

After I reach "Post..." step and click on button, FreeMill
complains, that it could not save files :( Which location did you specify to install it ?
And which post-processor is compatible with EMC2 ?
I installed FreeMill to whatever it defaulted to iirc. In any case it shows up in "Program Files". Have you tried to post using one of the examples included in that directory? I just did this using one called "MOUSE.sla" whie typing this reply. Fanuc2 post works with a minor edit near the beginning of the gcode file.

IF that works move your cad files to someplace on the phony c_drive before using FreeMill. "My Documents" or some other likely place. If the examples don't work, well, Wine is as big a mystery to me as it is to most people. Maybe wine's debug mode would be some help but don't bet on it. If I can think of anything unusual about the FM install you will find it posted here for sure.

Thanks again for the files. They were a big help.

Salome can be tried as part of CAELinux. There is image of LiveDVD which can be
downloaded from caelinux.com, burned and then booted from. This way one could try
Salome and bunch of other CAE utilities and also look how Linux looks nowadays.

I've just found one of my boxes with Windows and noticed, that on "Post..." FreeMill
writes temporary file somewhere and opens notepad with it. What does it do on your box ?
There is not notepad under wine on my Ubuntu. May be there is something in wine to
configure default text editor.

Salome can be tried as part of CAELinux. There is image of LiveDVD which can be
downloaded from caelinux.com, burned and then booted from. This way one could try
Salome and bunch of other CAE utilities and also look how Linux looks nowadays.
Salome is demanding on resources. I'm curious how well it would run live. Not curious enough to download a few gigs however :)

I've just found one of my boxes with Windows and noticed, that on "Post..." FreeMill writes temporary file somewhere and opens notepad with it. What does it do on your box ?
Exactly that. The title bar reads 'temp.acl-Notepad'


There is not notepad under wine on my Ubuntu. May be there is something in wine to
configure default text editor.
Weird. What wine version and where did you get it? Notepad can be launched at least 2 ways on my install.
Applications>Wine>Programs>Accessories>Notepad using the clicky method
or
Typing notepad in a terminal

I have extra hardware around here so I'll install FM again on a fresh install and keep a few notes. Bedtime now and at least a 10 hr workday tomorrow so might be Tuesday before posting again. Maybe you'll have it sorted before that ;)

I've created most of my models on my laptop booted from LiveDVD. Laptop
has 1Gb memory and mobile P4 processor. Memory would be important for
general speed of interface. However if model requires complex boolean
operations, CPU will come to front.

Copying files onto wine's drive "C" helped with FreeMill. No need for any more
experiments. Thanks for help.

Until pycam can generated correct finishing toolpaths, FreeMill could be used.
Except that it generates toolpaths for much bigger area then required and
that would be a problem for my parts requiring 2 side machining.

When you play with pycam, note only certain combination of cutters make
practical sense. See examples in readme file.

Salome is demanding on resources. I'm curious how well it would run live. Not curious enough to download a few gigs however :)

Never say never :)

My machine only has 512 MB ram but it does have a 1GB linux swap partition (MS users: think virtual memory) for the live dvd to access. Things went a bit slow but I managed to create the files below before the desktop finally crashed.

CAE Linux is available prepackaged for VMware for any virtual machine users reading this. The package is a complete OS based on PCLinuxOS. Salome is just one of the apps included. Well worth a look.

cyclestart,

Nice looking parts. It looks like you are getting quite fluent in Salome. Do you know if there is any way to derive primitive geometric elements from models? I am wondering if one could derive arcs and lines from the edges of the model for CAM processing. I think that this would mainly apply to extruded shapes.

Thanks,
Dan

Sorry Dan, in order to answer that question I would first need to understand it. :) It might just be the terms used in the question but more likely it's beyond my knowledge.

I'm hoping to bring this software to the attention of knowledgeable CAD users. (Then sponge off their knowledge ;) ) Salome is to good to be flying under the radar.

regards
jeff

cyclestart,

Sorry, my question wasn't very clear. I am wondering if it would be possible to select the top of a cylinder and get some basic info from it- like the center,diameter, height. Then a cam system (an opensource one -like apt360 for example) could act upon the elements. It's not really too important at the moment. There are a lot of other things to work out in a lot of other projects.
Keep up the good work in Salome. You will be one of the experts before long.

Thanks,
Dan

I am wondering if it would be possible to select the top of a cylinder and get some basic info from it- like the center,diameter, height. Then a cam system (an opensource one -like apt360 for example) could act upon the elements.

Probably not in a way you would find useful. Salome's measurement tools don't provide much info beyond point coordinates. The other type of info they provide is a bit cryptic.

Another thing about Salome is entities can not be edited in the gui. Incorrect entities must be deleted or just left in place and not include in the final part. I believe this means the program is not parametric (?). An interesting feature is the ability to dump the study as a script where it is possible to edit. Here's a dump of a cylinder created with the origin as the base point. The cylinder has a radius of 100 and a height of 300.


### This file is generated by SALOME automatically by dump python functionality
### of GEOM component

import geompy
import math

def RebuildData(theStudy):
geompy.init_geom(theStudy)
global Cylinder_1, Vertex_1
Vertex_1 = geompy.MakeVertex(0, 0, 0)
Cylinder_1 = geompy.MakeCylinderRH(100, 300)
geompy.addToStudy( Vertex_1, "Vertex_1" )
geompy.addToStudy( Cylinder_1, "Cylinder_1" )
pass

...
I found the download section for a package that works under Ubuntu 8.04 Linux here :
http://caelinux.com/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=40

SALOME-MECA-2008.1-GPL


I have EMC2 and Ubuntu installed (installed from the live CD). I am now wanting to select a CAD program and came across this thread on Salome. Since the quote above is several months old, I thought I would ask if this is still they way you would go. In other words would you install the SALOME-MECA or go with the Debian Etch from http://www.salome-platform.org/download/dl414/ (I guess that is the proper package for download for my Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron installation, right?).

Is there any newer link for Salome-Meca than the one listed above?

Thanks,
Paul

I'm using standalone Salome from that very link under Ubuntu 8.04. Don't see anything
new on CAELinux site. I was glad when they released it as standalone package.
Booting everytime into CAELinux Live DVD just because of Salome was pain. So
far I didn't have a use for other stuff in CAELinux.

Hold on, looks like version from second link is newer. I have 3.2.9. And there is
4.1.4. I've got to try this one.

I guess it's up to you, which one you'd like to play with. Assuming 4.1.4 will work
fine under Ubuntu 8.04

I'm using standalone Salome from that very link under Ubuntu 8.04.

If I understand correctly you installed Salome onto your Ubuntu 8.04 that you installed from the EMC2 distribution (live CD), right?


Hold on, looks like version from second link is newer. I have 3.2.9. And there is
4.1.4. I've got to try this one.

The 4.1.4 link is not the STANDALONE Salome-Meca, right? Now, it may work for you since you have already installed the standalone version along with ALL it pre-reqs.... (unless 4.1.4 has new pre-reqs), but for me, this would be a first time install of Salome, and I am concerned that going directly to 4.1.4 (non-MECA, if you will) will require me to go through the nasty process of separately installing all the pre-reqs. SO.... if you upgrade please let me know if it works properly, in which case I will likely follow the same process; i.e., install the standalone Salome-MECA unto my existing EMC2 / Ubuntu 8.04 and then install Salome 4.1.4 on top of that.

Thanks,

Paul

Okay, I have Salome-MECA 3.2.9 installed and the GUI comes up and works. Tomorrow I plan on finding a tutorial so that I can get started using it.

Paul

Okay, I have Salome-MECA 3.2.9 installed and the GUI comes up and works. Tomorrow I plan on finding a tutorial so that I can get started using it.

Paul

I've spent some time now with the Salome docs and tried my luck with the program. The docs leave something to be desired and I've had a hard time learning the program. Enough of a hard time that I am inclined to turn my attention elsewhere.

The most recent docs on the web site are for 3.2.6, but I assume that should be adequate to get one familiar with the program. I installed Salome-MECA 3.2.9. 4.1.4 is the latest version, but as stated before I went with Salome-MECA because of the standalone install.

Are there any real tutorials available?

What other software is available on Linux for CAD and for CAM?

Thanks,
Paul

I've spent some time now with the Salome docs and tried my luck with the program. The docs leave something to be desired and I've had a hard time learning the program. Enough of a hard time that I am inclined to turn my attention elsewhere.
Yeah, the docs and tutorials are not great. Also some of them do not apply to the version you have installed. Salome is reasonably user friendly for what it is, but what it is is complex software.

I've been thinking of putting together a tutorial but it won't happen anytime soon, if ever.

What other software is available on Linux for CAD and for CAM?

I replied to a similar question recently, so hope you excuse the use of a link
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=566440&postcount=4

Do you have a particular type of work in mind ? Are you determined to use open source or just something that runs in Linux ? Are you willing to spend money ? Salome may not be what you want at all. Most machine work is 2 1/2D in reality.

I replied to a similar question recently, so hope you excuse the use of a link
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=566440&postcount=4


Cyclestart,
Thanks for your input. I've read your link and I am taking a look at the Synergy site now. BTW, no price is given.... that usually means EXPENSIVE. Do you have any idea what the product costs?


Do you have a particular type of work in mind ? Are you determined to use open source or just something that runs in Linux ? Are you willing to spend money ? Salome may not be what you want at all. Most machine work is 2 1/2D in reality.

I don't have a particular type of work in mind yet. Machining IS the hobby not something to support another hobby. I just got intrigued with machining itself.

I would prefer for everything to be on Linux. I have settled on EMC2 and am now looking for CAD and CAM software. I am NOT fixed on using Open Source, and I am willing to spend some money. However, of course, I would like to evaluate Open Source products first.

I will not be spending any money on software until after I get my mill CNC'd hardware-wise. That may be several weeks away ( I just ordered the Xylotex package yesterday). In the meantime, I am searching for CAD and CAM software on Linux. I'm also evaluating Windows programs, in case I don't find a suitable Linux package. If need be I can do the CAD/CAM work on Windows and transfer the gcode output to my Linux EMC2 machine, but that is not my preference.

I have downloaded CAMBAM (unfortunately Windows only) and had no problem at all going through one of their tutorials and then creating my own NEMA 23 mounting plate. I tried the same thing on Salome and am stuck. It is not intuitive and some things I have not figured out at all yet. So I haven't been able to complete a simple NEMA 23 mounting plate - very frustrating and disappointing.

I'm trying to avoid WINE VirtualBox, for now - maybe as a last resort - but more than likely I would just work on Windows and file transfer to Linux instead.

Bottom line: I have no CAD experience; so I'd like to find a program that does not assume I already know all the terminology and an familiar with some other CAD program. I prefer a CAD and a CAM program or a CAD/CAM program Open Source on Linux.

Again, thanks for your comments and any others that you can offer. I've read your linke



Paul

erased incorrect info... don't know how or if I am allowed to totally delete this post

Thanks,
Paul

I am taking a look at the Synergy site now. BTW, no price is given.... that usually means EXPENSIVE. Do you have any idea what the product costs?
Last pricing I'm aware of;
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=404795&postcount=27
Email webersys and they will email a key to unlock all it's functions for 30 days.
Unlike some vendors, there will be no annoying phone calls if you don't buy. At least that was my experience. At one time they had a very generous deal for students, not sure if that still applies. You're probably not a student but maybe one will be reading this thread.

The Linux version of SheetCam is free for the time being. Expires every 30 days and must be downloaded again. Sheetcam can be used on a mill although it's aimed more at plasma users.


I have downloaded CAMBAM (unfortunately Windows only) and had no problem at all going through one of their tutorials and then creating my own NEMA 23 mounting plate. I tried the same thing on Salome and am stuck. It is not intuitive and some things I have not figured out at all yet. So I haven't been able to complete a simple NEMA 23 mounting plate - very frustrating and disappointing.
Synergy is more powerful than CamBam but nowhere near as user friendly. Just a heads up.


I'm trying to avoid WINE VirtualBox, for now - maybe as a last resort - but more than likely I would just work on Windows and file transfer to Linux instead.
My virtual machine choked on the newest CamBam anyway. CamBam Classic (or whatever is called) worked fine. edit/ Or maybe I wasn't interested in installing the required version of .NET, my memory is a bit foggy on this point

I fixed on using Open Source...

Meant to write "I am NOT fixed on using Open Source..."

Paul

Paul,

I've number of models I've built (*.hdf files) on my home server -

http://lezdep.dyndns.org:8080/f1/3D/

Feel free to grab and check any of them out. rotor.hdf is simplest.
front_caliper.hdf is most complex I could make with my knowledge
of Salome so far.

Explain your current issue you stuck with, may be me or somebody
else could help you.

I've number of models I've built (*.hdf files) on my home server ...
Feel free to grab and check any of them out.


Thanks, lezdep. I will take a look.


Explain your current issue you stuck with, may be me or somebody
else could help you.

I've had several issues; some of which I have worked around. For the sake anyone else who might be working with Salome and might read this I will mention those problems that I have gotten past (and how) as well as those I have not.

The first problem below I figured out and I moved on (to the next problem). Problem two I can live with, but unhappily. Three and four are still haunting me. Maybe I could have figured them out if I had spent more time.... but, alas, enough frustration with Salome - I moved on to take a look at other programs hoping to find something more intuitive and better documented.



PREREQS FOR CREATING AN OBJECT NOT INTUITIVE NOR DOCUMENTED: I tried to add a circle using a point and a radius. I brought up the GUI and tried to enter a coordinate for the center of the circle (like 0,0). My cursor would not appear in (what I though was) entry field. Then I clicked on the icon to the left. It did nothing. Took me a few minutes - not too long, but was still frustrating - to guess that I might have to create a point first - not intuitive and not spelled out in the docs. (The docs are nothing more than screen shots and descriptions of the fields, but no real help on how to use those fields - no mention of prereqs for creating an object - like the point prereq for creating a circle.

COULD NOT MODIFIY AN OBJECT: After creating a circle I decided I wanted to change its radius - no cigar. Apparently the program does not provide for modifying an object once it is created. Had to delete the circle and create another one.

COULD NOT POSITION A RECTANGLE WHERE I WANTED IT. I wanted to create the border of my material - a rectangle. Did that easily enough now that I understand that points must be created first for each corner. The rectangle was pinned at one corner to the point I used as the center of the circle. I tried a few times to "Operations...Transformation... Modify the Location".... got frustrated before I figured it out; so the rectangle remained over to one side of my desired location.

COULD NOT DELETE AN OBJECT THAT WAS THE SOURCE FOR A COPY: Then I did the "Edit...Copy" and successfully made a copy of the rectangle in my desired location. I then tried to delete the original rectangle and was told that it cannot be deleted because it was used as the source for a copy.


Thanks for any help that you guys can offer.

Paul

I've number of models I've built (*.hdf files) on my home server -

lezdep,
Thanks. I've downloaded and taken a look at rotor.hdf.... Your simplest Study is quite complex.... great work.

More frustration, though. I couldn't find in Salome a way to zoom in on your objects. I couldn't find a way to view an object's properties (right click... properties... would of been good.).

Salome looks really good. Looks like one could create quite complex properties, but with even simple functions like 'zoom' and 'properties' missing (or hidden), I can't believe that it is a worthwhile use of my time to spend any more time 'evaluating' Salome. How do you tolerate these deficiencies? Are you still evualuting Salome, or are you actually getting productive use out of it. If there is really value in Salome, before I make the mistake of giving up and running off in another direction, tell me whether it really will be a good use of my time to continue banging my head again the Salome wall. How did you get as far as you are?

Thanks,
Paul

Hi again Paul
lezdep's files really cleared up some concepts for me. That said, a solid modeler might not be the best starting point for someone just starting out. Also it still leaves you needing CAM.
Maybe I could have figured them out if I had spent more time.... but, alas, enough frustration with Salome - I moved on to take a look at other programs hoping to find something more intuitive and better documented.
I may have an alternative open source suggestion. Testing something out first.
COULD NOT MODIFIY AN OBJECT
That's a nuisance but not a deal killer. Bad items can be excluded from the final component.
COULD NOT DELETE AN OBJECT THAT WAS THE SOURCE FOR A COPY
Don't erase it, exclude it and hide it.

I've included a couple of files. The .hdf should explain itself in tree view but here's a rundown. (It's the motor mount tute from CamBam btw, hope he doesn't mind)
1> Create the necessary points
2> Create the vertical vector
3> Create six cylinders.
4> Create a box
5> Cut the main object (the box) with the tool object (the thru cylinder). Next cut the resulting item with the next tool object(cbore). etc,etc.
6> The final item in the tree can be saved as a .stl file for export.

Not the only way to do this, but hopefully easy to follow.

Regards
jeff

I see you lezdep :wave:
Bet you get in your post while I'm still typing/thinking

I have not spent time with commercial CADs. I cannot event get demos for CATIA
or SolidWorks for example. So, Salome is my best option. Synergy seems much less
friendly then Salome. I learned to live with limitations you discovered. I don't know if
those are "designed in" for some purposes, not developed well or that's how other
CADs work too. These limitations seems strange from point of view of PC user
used to work with office applications and tools like Photoshop. However, if you could
embrace them, I think Salome is very good 3D CAD application.

You could find my posts on recent threads here about my own quest for Linux 3D CAD.
I've tried Blender, AoI, BRL-CAD and some other less mature apps. None had
combination of power and convenience Salome has. Could not get far with Synergy
though. But I have no money to buy it anyway.

Do your own quest. You might be more successful. If you find better free 3D CAD
running well on Linux, please report here. Good luck !

PS: I looked at Salome 4.1.4. Looks like installation isn't trivial. And I didn't see
much new features I would need. So, I didn't spend any more time on it. I'm happy
with 3.2.9 I have for now. Time would be better spent on learning how to use it
properly instead, imho.

Thanks, lezdep. I will take a look.

I've had several issues; some of which I have worked around. For the sake anyone else who might be working with Salome and might read this I will mention those problems that I have gotten past (and how) as well as those I have not.

The first problem below I figured out and I moved on (to the next problem). Problem two I can live with, but unhappily. Three and four are still haunting me. Maybe I could have figured them out if I had spent more time.... but, alas, enough frustration with Salome - I moved on to take a look at other programs hoping to find something more intuitive and better documented.



PREREQS FOR CREATING AN OBJECT NOT INTUITIVE NOR DOCUMENTED: I tried to add a circle using a point and a radius. I brought up the GUI and tried to enter a coordinate for the center of the circle (like 0,0). My cursor would not appear in (what I though was) entry field. Then I clicked on the icon to the left. It did nothing. Took me a few minutes - not too long, but was still frustrating - to guess that I might have to create a point first - not intuitive and not spelled out in the docs. (The docs are nothing more than screen shots and descriptions of the fields, but no real help on how to use those fields - no mention of prereqs for creating an object - like the point prereq for creating a circle.

COULD NOT MODIFIY AN OBJECT: After creating a circle I decided I wanted to change its radius - no cigar. Apparently the program does not provide for modifying an object once it is created. Had to delete the circle and create another one.

COULD NOT POSITION A RECTANGLE WHERE I WANTED IT. I wanted to create the border of my material - a rectangle. Did that easily enough now that I understand that points must be created first for each corner. The rectangle was pinned at one corner to the point I used as the center of the circle. I tried a few times to "Transform - Change Location".... got frustrated before I figured it out; so the rectangle remained over to one side of my desired location.

COULD NOT DELETE AN OBJECT THAT WAS THE SOURCE FOR A COPY: Then I did the "Transform - Copy" and successfully made a copy of the rectangle in my desired location. I then tried to delete the original rectangle and was told that it cannot be deleted because it was used as the source for a copy.


Thanks for any help that you guys can offer.

Paul

I've included a couple of files. The .hdf should explain itself in tree view but here's a rundown. (It's the motor mount tute from CamBam btw, hope he doesn't mind)
1> Create the necessary points
2> Create the vertical vector
3> Create six cylinders.
4> Create a box
5> Cut the main object (the box) with the tool object (the thru cylinder). Next cut the resulting item with the next tool object(cbore). etc,etc.
6> The final item in the tree can be saved as a .stl file for export.


Jeff,
Your NEMA Study was very helpful. Thanks.
Paul

I've included a couple of files. The .hdf should explain itself in tree view but here's a rundown. (It's the motor mount tute from CamBam btw, hope he doesn't mind)
1> Create the necessary points
2> Create the vertical vector
3> Create six cylinders.
4> Create a box
5> Cut the main object (the box) with the tool object (the thru cylinder). Next cut the resulting item with the next tool object(cbore). etc,etc.
6> The final item in the tree can be saved as a .stl file for export.


cyclestart,
I opened your stl file in CamBam.... no problem... I could view the various axes. Once in CamBam "generated toolpaths" nothing happened. I "produced gcode". The output was only the following few lines:

( Made using CamBam - http://www.cambam.co.uk )
( Unititled 2/16/2009 3:38:21 PM )
G20 G90 G64 G40
M30

Now, I'm wondering if this is a problem with CamBam (since I could successfully view the imported stl file) or with Salome.

Thanks,

Paul

I couldn't find in Salome a way to zoom in on your objects.

I found the zoom feature. Turns out that the View Operations button that is supposed to have a pulldown for

Fit All
Fit Area
Zoom

doesn't work all the time. If I click on it several times I eventually get the pulldown. So, zoom was hiding from me in there.

Paul

... a solid modeler might not be the best starting point for someone just starting out. Also it still leaves you needing CAM.


cyclestart,
None of the problems I have encountered with Salome are because I have never used a CAD program before. They are because Salome's usability stinks.

... it still leaves you needing CAM.


You are right. Perhaps I should be focusing my attention on CAM programs and leave CAD-only programs till later. Gotta have a CAM program; may not need a CAD program if, for example, like CAMBAM, I find a suitable CAM program with adequate CAD capabilities to satisfy my simple near-term needs.

First stop: Open Source CAM for Linux, if there are any...

Paul

cyclestart,
None of the problems I have encountered with Salome are because I have never used a CAD program before. They are because Salome's usability stinks.

Fair enough. If you don't like it don't use, and I don't mean that in any sarcastic kind of way. I like Salome but admit it falls short in some areas.


First stop: Open Source CAM for Linux, if there are any...

There's bits and pieces useful software but nothing really full featured that I can think of atm. Good open source CAM is rare for any platform. Is there any for Windows ?

Gcam is the app I was thinking of recommending because it's a bit like CamBam. After looking at the current release it's still not quite ready. It's documentation is near non-existent also.

Good open source CAM is rare for any platform. Is there any for Windows ?
I don't know if there is or not. I'm still looking.


Gcam is the app I was thinking of recommending because it's a bit like CamBam. After looking at the current release it's still not quite ready. It's documentation is near non-existent also.

I tried v2009.01.17 of GCam this week on Windows. That is supposed to be a stable version, but it crashes. Although I don't know if it has this problem on Linux I moved on. Maybe their use of the word 'stable' does not refer to its runtime stability.

Paul

I've created my most complex model to date with Salome. Accuracy is compromised
to account for scale machining it'll be used for. Source Salome file is
available from the link below. I would appreciate if some one experienced
with 3D CAD can open it and see if I took wrong approach(es) and some things
better be done differently.

Link to Salome file - http://lezdep.dyndns.org:8080/f1/3D/diffuser.hdf

http://lezdep.dyndns.org:8080/f1/gallery/R25/diffuser3.jpg
http://lezdep.dyndns.org:8080/f1/gallery/R25/diffuser2.jpg

circles look like a helix

Hello everybody. I'm new to the community and to CNC. As you can guess I have some problems. The first is how to post messages. (post quick reply?) (go advanced?)

I'm running Mach 3 with Gecko 201 drives on a home built table. I modified a tiny G code file to cut a circle five times. The first circle does not complete where it started by has a small offset in X and Y. The four additional circles look like I stepped on a Slinkey. I even reloaded and upgraded my Mach 3 with no benefit.

Is there somebody that can tell me what's wrong?

Next problem: Where can I get a small solid state relay that will be triggered by the 'bob' and control the 120 volt AC that drives a spindle motor?

Thanks for any help and I want to0 repeat again that I'm glad to be here.

most likely you are losing steps. Try doing rectangles and see what happens. if like a slinky, you are los9ing steps.

Hi Salome

Thanks for the advice. I ran the prog again. My motors are all 160 ounce/inch. I cut a 30 mm circle in wood to a depth of 1 mm. It took 2 minutes so the feed was quite low. The problem is less noticeable but it's still there. When everything was tightened and redone the problem persists.

John

The last 3 posts (#44,45 & 46) have nothing to do with this very interesting thread
about the open source CAD modeler called Salome...

May be a moderator could relocate them on a new thread...

By the way - how is Salome going? the last post is more than 2 months old...

Nelson