Can you rout 3D on a 2 1/2d Machine (slicing)?

[karbunkle1952]

I have a Gerber Sabre 408. It only cuts 2 1/2D. I would like to cut 3D reliefs and vacuumform molds. Is there a machining software that will slice the model into layers, say, .0625 thick, and assign a toolpath to that layer.
Much like a topographical map.
Or do I have to split up the part on my Solidedge software, convert to dxf and assign toolpaths to the layers?
Anyone with ideas on how to fool the 2 1/2D machine into a 3D world?
I will sand the stepovers and it should come out fine.
By the way, I've been working with Les at Sheetcam to make a post for the Gerber Sabre.
Nice Guy, Fine product.

[joecnc2006]

sure try the Vectric software, download their trial and see if it works for you.

They have great siftware and the price is very good for what you get.

http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectr.../c3d_index.htm

Joe

[DareBee]

A lot of "3D" operations are 2.5D moves anyway.

Eg in VisualMill5 Horizontal Finishing is applied as 2.5d moves (exactly like you want).
It is generated from a part model (3D) and works it's moves XY on 1 Z level at a time. Then moves down a Z level and applies XY again.

Every XY series of cuts is often entirely different geometry whereas usual 2.5D is the same XY moves at every cut level.

[Tony Mac]

Hello karbunkle1952,

We have customers running Sabre 404 / 408's using the new GCode interface that's is an option on the newer Gerber control firmware.

The Vectric products all have the option to save 3D toolpaths as Gcode that can be used to drive the Gerber Sabre routers. You need some additional information on how to connect the PC to the router and if you drop me a note I will send you the document.

Cut3D has an option to slice 3D models (thanks Joe) so they can be machined as separate pieces and assembled to make larger projects.

The Dome shown below was Sliced using Cut3D and machined on a Sabre 408- (The user made a slight mistake setting the cutter).

The Porsche example in the image below has been machined on a Gerber Sabre and this is one of the Trial Models you can cut on your own router using the Trial version of Cut3D.

Let me know if we can help,

Tony

[joecnc2006]

Cut3d will be my next purchase then i will have the whole suite of the software (Then I will be KING) LOL.......

Don't forget the Cut3d will let you flip the material and do a more true 3d piece, what i like is you can test cut the samples to try before you buy, which is a great feature.

[joecnc2006]

As soon as i get a few free moments i will cut some of the samples on my machine and post what it looks like.

[karbunkle1952]

After researching advice on this thread and others, here's some points of interest I put together:

FreeMill is still available, and works with a couple of tweaks. Here's what I found on the Web:
1. Your display adapter may cause a freeze up at the parting plane screen. I had the same problem with Freemill crashing when defining a parting plane. Alot of people think it is a video card driver problem.
I found that resizing the window, (left/right) when you first start the program and before you import a part, so only the info bar on the right is visible and then clicking "next" until you are past the parting plane screen. It will then let you go back and change the parting plane without errors.

2. If, when you come to post the file, Windows appears to do nothing make sure you tell Windows to recognize the .acl and .spm file with notepad or wordpad (right click and "open with").

3. Posts are available at: http://www.mecsoft.com/Mec/Downloads/posts.shtml
I downloaded the Mach3 post and Gerber post and dropped them in the POST folder. The G-Codes generated look OK I just have to test them.

Where this program is very short on is the roughing pass, there is none.
Has anyone figured a work-around for this?

[keebler303]

when I used freemill i would zero my z about .125" off of actual. Then you have only that much to come back and remove. I also would do a roughing pass in x and then y to remove the large steps lefts from the first roughing. If it will cut too deep you can adjust the parting plane so it only goes so deep and then make a new code for each step down.

Good Luck
Matt

[karbunkle1952]

I forgot I could tell Freemill I'm using a .75 cutter then use a .5 dia...
Making a series of passes until I tell it the correct cutter dia.
That would give it a roughing pass. Yes? No?

[High Seas]

Originally Posted by karbunkle1952 I have a Gerber Sabre 408. It only cuts 2 1/2D. I would like to cut 3D reliefs and vacuumform molds. Is there a machining software that will slice the model into layers, say, .0625 thick, and assign a toolpath to that layer. Much like a topographical map. Or do I have to split up the part on my Solidedge software, convert to dxf and assign toolpaths to the layers? Anyone with ideas on how to fool the 2 1/2D machine into a 3D world? I will sand the stepovers and it should come out fine. By the way, I've been working with Les at Sheetcam to make a post for the Gerber Sabre. Nice Guy, Fine product.

Don't know about FREEMILL, don't have a GERBER SABER - But if you can export the model as an STL file - STLWORK will do "slabbing". You set the depth. Again don't know any integration issues to your specific set up. I recall there is a demo version available - give it a google and a go! Jim