I have a pdf file that I need to turn into g codes. I have done oustide trim and pockets round and square, but I have no idea how to do this. Any help is greatly appreciated.
The material is 1" starboard (plastic).
My machine is a Milltronics Partner w/ Centurion 6 controler.
Hit the books and follow the steps to program the shapes in conversational mode, or get onto a cad/cam program and draw your geometry, and assign tools and cut-paths as required. Then Post Process it to suit your machine and control.
THE pdf format isn't exactly a standard for importing into a cad/cam package or CNC control.
Your drawing looks like it was made, then the dimensions added, rather than making it to scale. It's gonna look different than what you have, when made. The drawing is missing at least one dimension, the location of the bottom of the par of cutouts
Thanks for the reply, Trev. With 64 views and only one response, you are da man!
Without knowing it, you have validated my efforts. I contacted the friend who wants this piece milled (essentially routed). He has an older version of BobCAD-CAM and agreed to generate the g-codes for me. I will no doubt have to tweak the parameters, but we have a working plan.
As I researched the situation, I have learned:
1. This old Partner Mill is older than I thought, but I refuse to call it obsolete.
2. I need to begin to learn and understand g-code, because converstional programming will not always be enough.
3. Lots of programs will generate the drawings, but few get along with each other.
4. CAD-CAM programs are not cheap.
5. I can have fun learning with this old CNC and make a little money, too.
As I learn how to use this behemoth, It is good to know that there are folks out there who are willing to lend a helping hand to newbies. I intend to pay if forward!
Thanks for your reply. You have nailed the problem. I cannot open or work with a pdf file. Drawings like this often come from potential clients who don't have the ability to use CAD, so they dummy up something and export it to pdf or worse, a jpeg. I have even had people come into my shop with pencil drawings on scratch paper.
I am just getting my first CNC mill up to speed. As a manual machinst, I have a lot to learn, but it is gonna be fun. So far I have learned that I can mess up, but the CNC can mess up FAST!
What is your game plan for holding this part on the Mill. Need to know how you will orient and if it will be clamped to a sacrificial sub plate or held in soft vice jaws? how many do you have to make? get all of the dimensions and I will help you write a conversationl program. this is a very simple part but I dont know what tooling you have avaliable and I will help you with what you have, with out having to buy new stuff if possible.
I appreciate your reply. It is nice to know that there are folks who will help out a newbie.
I think we have a game plan...
The friend who wants this piece is going to write the code. So essentially, the problem is solved. When he wants it done, I will get the program to run. If it needs tweaking, that's the next challenge.
I have been thinking about milling to a depth that will leave just a "skin" of connection to the surrounding stock. The deburring tool should give us all we need to have beautiful parts.
We will clamp to a sacrificial board, of course (just in case) and even screw the stock down in safe areas if neccessary.
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