Converting files

[Crawler374]

I'm a newbie here and looking for some steps of how to get my CAD files to CAM to Gcode. I am very new at this and I need some help or a tutorial of how to do it.

For my CAD I use "emachineshop"

For my CAM I use "CamBam"

For my CNC software I use "Mach3"

For instance, I draw a simple 2"x2" square in Emachineshop. The square is .125 or 1/8" thick. I am using a .125 or 1/8" milling bit.

I can Export files from emachineshop to CamBam easily. I can also get the Emachineshop file on to cambam perfectly, to scale. But, my problem is, Do i need to still put in all the stock #'s, milling bits...etc etc...to make my Gcode file? even though i did it in emachine shop?

another question, how in the world to i convert a DXF file to .tap or .nc for mach3 to read?

thanks for any answers!

[10bulls]

The short answer is yes, you will need to setup the stock thickness (depth of cut), tool diameters, feedrates etc in CamBam.

CamBam currently only reads in 2D dxf files. Any information such as depth will be lost when you export to DXF from your drawing program. CamBam can read in 3D files in 3DS or STL format, but to work with 3D shapes (meshes) in CamBam, you need to use the specific 3D machining operations (3D profile or bas reliefs).

For the 2D machining operations such as pocketing, profiling or engraving you must select 2D shapes. There is currently no automatic function to extract 'features' from 3D meshes for 2D machining...although there are some 3D slicing routines available that will allow this with an extra manual step.

There is a short video tutorial here:
http://www.cambam.info/vids/Introduction/
Which should give you a very brief overview on the steps involved going from a drawing to producing g-code. This shows drawing within CamBam, but the concepts are the same if you import a drawing from a CAD file.
The documentation sections on getting started, simple examples and tutorials are another good way of getting into CamBam.
http://www.cambam.info/doc/plus/

Entering in all the machining parameters can be a bit daunting and time consuming at first and I am working on ways to make this a bit more intuitive. However, CamBam supports a system of machining templates which allows you to define all the machining properties under a named template which will then be used as the defaults for the next new machining operation when that template is selected. This simplifies and speeds up the process considerably. I am working on some more video tutorials to describe this useful and often overlooked feature.

I hope this helps but if anything isn't clear, please ask away!

Originally Posted by Crawler374 I'm a newbie here and looking for some steps of how to get my CAD files to CAM to Gcode. I am very new at this and I need some help or a tutorial of how to do it. For my CAD I use "emachineshop" For my CAM I use "CamBam" For my CNC software I use "Mach3" For instance, I draw a simple 2"x2" square in Emachineshop. The square is .125 or 1/8" thick. I am using a .125 or 1/8" milling bit. I can Export files from emachineshop to CamBam easily. I can also get the Emachineshop file on to cambam perfectly, to scale. But, my problem is, Do i need to still put in all the stock #'s, milling bits...etc etc...to make my Gcode file? even though i did it in emachine shop? another question, how in the world to i convert a DXF file to .tap or .nc for mach3 to read? thanks for any answers!

[Crawler374]

Thanks 10bulls! I got it working


instead of another thread, can you tell me how or if, i can mill the inside or outside of a CAM line? instead of milling the center of the line?

say i make a 2" x 2" square in cam bam and want to cut the wood so the outside of the square will be 2". instead of 1 3/4" with a 1/4 router bit.

[10bulls]

You need to make sure you are using a profile machining operation ( select shapes then Machining - Profile, or use the brown toolbar icon with two concentric circles).

There is an InsideOutside parameter in the profile.

The other important piece of information is the ToolDiameter. (You don't need to worry about the tool number unless you are doing tool changes).
The profile will then create a toolpath offset from the geometry by the tool radius.

Here is tutorial that gives an introduction to profiles:
http://www.cambam.info/doc/plus/tutorials/Profile.aspx

Another useful option...click on the Machining folder in the tree on the left, then toward the bottom of the property list is a setting 'ShowCutWidths'. If you set this to true, the area to be cut will be shaded, so you can see at a glance if you are going to undercut or overcut anything.

Originally Posted by Crawler374 Thanks 10bulls! I got it working instead of another thread, can you tell me how or if, i can mill the inside or outside of a CAM line? instead of milling the center of the line? say i make a 2" x 2" square in cam bam and want to cut the wood so the outside of the square will be 2". instead of 1 3/4" with a 1/4 router bit.

[angelmoi]

Dear friend Crawler374, could you please tell me how do you Export files from emachineshop to CamBam easily and Emachineshop file on to cambam perfectly.

Am sure you help me, thanks

[Crawler374]

Originally Posted by angelmoi Dear friend Crawler374, could you please tell me how do you Export files from emachineshop to CamBam easily and Emachineshop file on to cambam perfectly. Am sure you help me, thanks

sorry for the late response, i didnt know you replied.

Simply draw your design in Emachineshop, go to file-export to DXF.

Then open cambam and file-open-emachineshop-"name of part"-open

Once opened you can add your tool size and stock size