CAM Frustrations

[ranchak]

I've tried some different CAM programs, but I can't seem to get a grasp on this. I have some simple 2D parts that I need to machine. There are holes, a few indentations and the basic outline of the part. I've had to convert my sldprt into stl or 3ds files. This I have been successful with, but I thought that by having the sldprt I wouldn't have to redefine all of the processes necessary to cut the part, am I wrong? Isn't that why there is CAM programs, to convert CAD drawings into g code? The amount of time I have spent on trying to convert these files and generate g code (with limited/no progress) I think I could have used D2nc and created the parts from the drawings. I'm so frustrated at this time, I didn't realize the learning curve is so steep, I can't get even a simple part done! I can't even find a tuturial where you take a CAD drawing and create the toolpaths. By the way i have tried Rhino, CAMBAM, Meshcam, StlWork2 and a few others. I got the farthest with MeshCam, but does not support intricate drilling. CAMBAM is probably second, but I can't get the toolpaths generated. Another thing is I want to drill my holes first and then pause to re-clamp my material and then resume and cut the outside profile. I haven't seen where I define the order of operations, again this is when converting from a CAD drawing, not when creating a drawing. Should I throw in the towel?

[kmckenn]

ranchak,

Throw out... post, PM what geometry you are trying to teach yourself with. AND, what machine/controller are you intending to send the program to? ... and do you still have Rhino at your disposal?

[harley4ever]

Try dolphin cad cam. Many programs can be overkill. Dolphin specializes in 2.5d machining and to get lost in dolphin, you would really have to be doing something wrong. For example. I use surfcam at work which is very nifty for our 3d cutting. To try and do simple stuff, it seems to blow my mind sometimes. Theres no doubt many programs are nice, but finding what that fits your way of thinking is the key. Seriously try dolphin, its not the fansiest or prettiest but is super easy and gets the easy jobs done time after time.

[BlueChip]

For simple part programming ... THROW out the CAD/CAM mentality and think outside the box. The "box" is where "they" tell you you have to look.

Conversational is faster, easier and requires little or no CNC programming experience ... no CAD drawings or CAD drawing experience ... for simple parts I emphasize. Nothing is gonna beat CAD/CAM for extensive, 3D type programming ... which in reality is only about 5%-10% of machining done on any shop floor in a given day.

Real World machine shop software at www.KentechInc.com.

[ger21]

MeshCAM was not designed for cutting 2D parts. Wrong tool for the job. For 2D parts, create a drawing, and export a 2D .dxf from Solidworks. Try the demo of Vectrics Cut2D, easiest CAM program you'll find. It'll do Profiling, Pocketing, drilling, and even text. http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectr...d_features.htm

One downside to CUt2D, is that it'll only output code for a single tool, so if you need multiple tools, you'll need to output a separate g-code file for each tool. If you want a single g-code file with toolchanges, you'd need to step up to V-Carve Pro.

[talyrond]

Once you get the dxf file out of SolidWorks as ger21 suggested, take a look at SharpCam - http://www.sharpcam.co.uk

It should fit your requirements

Talyrond

[HuFlungDung]

OneCNC is a no nonsense program that will work beginning from a 2d drawing or a simple (or complex) 3d model. For example, you can import your sldprt into OneCNC and in the budget versions of the program, extract the edges of some geometry and then go to work in the CAM side of things and make some toolpaths. OneCNC boasts that they do not convert any models to a proprietory format, it works directly from the NURBS surfaces of your model. In fact, working with stl files in OneCNC is not fun at all, I would definitely not look at OneCNC if stl was the primary modelling format.

[mactec54]

The problem that you are having most people fall into the same trap

By making 3D part drawings they are great, but if you don't have a very good 3D cam program you will not be able to make a easy job of it in your cam program

Draw your parts in 2D save them as a Dxf, or what format your cam program likes

From your drawing to cam is the most important part, if your cam program does not like your drawing of the part there is no point in trying to make it work, You have to go back & make your drawing right to suit the cam program

[ranchak]

Well I checked out some of your guy's suggestions and I went with Vectric's VCarve. So far i have been very happy and I can import a dxf drawings and have the machining operations done in about 20 minutes. Finally a program that works like I think! Now I need to find a program that can take a 3D sheet metal drawing and turn it into a flat 2D part. Any suggestions? I'm looking for something reasonably priced.

[fabconv]

what software make the 3d sheet metal drawing?

[ranchak]

The 3d part was made in SolidWorks.

[fabconv]

you can turn 3d sheet metal into 2d flat with solidworks
use sheet metal function