How do I acces/find the Dolphin video tutorials

[antelnation]

Hi,
I purchased Dolphin Cad Cam a few months ago and never got around to learning it. At the time, I was just machining simple parts and decided it was easier to write the g-code myself.
Now I have some free time and want to learn the software. I recall seeing some video tutorials when I purchased the software but now I can't figure out how to access/find them. Can someone please tell me how? Thanks in advance-Josh

[Dolphin USA]

Hi there,

Here is a link that allows you to access a few videos.

http://www.dolphincadcamusa.com/Tutorials.html

[antelnation]

Ok,
So I watched the tutorials and they taught me enough to already be proficient to draw some simple stuff. Now, I want to convert this dxf drawing to g-code.
What I drew was fairly simple so I will just describe it (and attach it.) I made a rectangle 4.75 inches x 1.95 inches that is 0.50 inches thick. On the rectangle there are 2 circles, one with a 0.71 inch diameter and the other with a 1.02 inch diameter (see drawing).
I want to bore the inner diameter (0.71) all the way through the rectangle (0.5 inches). I want to bore the outer diameter circle (1.02 inches) 0.25 inches deep (half way down).
I have figured out how to export this this file into Partmaster Cam but now I am completely stuck. Or can I do this in Partmaster Cad. Either way I am absolutely stuck.
As you can probably tell by now, I have zero experience with CAD and CAM programs. So, sorry for the stupid questions. Any help with be greatling appreciated . Thanks again-Josh

[metalworkz]

Hi Josh,
Before you go to the CAM side you will want to select the contours(in this case the circles you have drawn) and create the toolpaths. When you have the toolpaths for both circles done then slect Machining from the top menu bar and then select Milling Module from the drop down menu.
To get to this point with the .dxf loaded select the RED NC button at the top menu and then select the button with the red circle and NC on it(NC Circle) and select the inside circle you have drawn. A dialogue box will open and you need to fill it out; direction of toolpath, depth of cut and then hit OK. Hit the NCCirlce button again and select the outside circle and fill in the box(depth is only .25 this time). If that is all the machining to be done then select the Machining button from the top menu bar and then the Milling Module in the drop down box. This will open the CAM side with the selected contours ready to be worked with. You will need to set up the tools you will use so you can select them from the tool menu when you fill in the dialogue boxes for the contours(circles). Let me know if you can get to this point and I will try to help finish the CAM side.
Regards,

[John S.]

http://www.stevenson-engineers.co.uk/files/dolphin1.wmv

Sorry quick and dirty job, no audio and it about 7 meg long.

I have tried to wave the mouse over the relevant bits.
Note that in the CAD side the outer circle is pocketed to 0.25" deep then the inner circle is defined so it zero hight is - [ minus ] 0.25" and the rest is then 0.25" deep.

This saves air cutting material that's already been removed.

John S.

[antelnation]

I already PM'ed the Dolphin CadCam guys and I am sure they will get back to me. But, I just wanted to thank everyone for the help.

I followed the video tutorial that was posted on this thread step by step, to show me how to mill my circles. However, every time I went to "machining" >>>> "milling", partmaster cad crashed and no image opened up in partmaster cam . It is either a bug in the software and or I am doing something retarded??
I am gonna take a break for a while before I get to frustrated.-Josh

[metalworkz]

What versison of Partmaster are you using? There was some sort of server problem I had when I started using version 9. There is a server file I ended up renaming to a .txt file so it would not load and cause the crash. If you are using version 10 you will probably have to wait for a reply from Dolphin support. If version 9 I will find the file name so you can try to fix it if you want.
Regards,

[antelnation]

I think I am using version 10. I will wait for the Dolphin guys to help me.... they seem to be very responsive to e-mails.
I am sure I will have a lot more questions once I get this "crashing bug" fixed. Thanks for all the help.-Josh