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Welcome Mike..... Lots of good folks here to help you out. Jumping into the fire is the only way to learn, have fun.
Robert
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You can't get much simpler than learning G-code first. G-code was not too complicated at my age but then I started programming in college on 80 column punch cards using an IBM 360 back in 1972.Originally Posted by mike sr1
Don
“If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got.” ~ Mark Twain
Welcome Mike..... Lots of good folks here to help you out. Jumping into the fire is the only way to learn, have fun.
Robert
I too am like mike ,ordered it at Christmas and on the waiting list .
Welcome Carl,
I just ordered mine this week, it will be here the first of next week they say, some of the tooling is backordered though. I have a feeling that I wont need it though, I think the cad/cam will come first ha!
mike sr
I already have the Tormach Controller and a few tools,still trying to get my head around the cad/cam software
A good way to start machining without having to wrestle with CAD/CAM is to use the Wizards in MACH.
Phil
I was thinking the same thing, depending on what the wizzards can do.....A good way to start machining without having to wrestle with CAD/CAM is to use the Wizards in MACH.
Phil
mike sr
If you have already received your copy of MACH then take a look.
Phil
Hello Mike! Here's my story, take it or leave it.
I too had done no CNC work back when I bought a Series 1 1100 back in '07. I saved a bundle by buying SprutCAM with it, and was proud of that. Unfortunately, because I felt that I paid this money for SprutCAM, I must use it rather than other packages.
Now, I'm a president of a tech company (Steradian Technologies - Laser Tag Equipment), and am no stranger to complicated software. However, my requirement to stick with SprutCAM caused me countless wasted hours and countless wasted brain power. My return on time invested was not worth it, and I found it much easier and cheaper to pay another company to do any CNC work.
My 1100 sat unused for the better part of 3 years. I eventually got over this need to use SprutCAM and investigated other CAM packages. I ended up buying Cut2d and Cut3d (via Tormach) from a company called Vectric. It was like night and day. Within hours I was cutting parts I'd only dreamed about. The interface and methodology is so incredibly simple, that suddenly I was using my 1100 for any small project that came up. Within a week I had upgraded to Vectric's VCarve Pro. Incredibly worth it. It's everything that Cut2d is, plus the ability to handle complex parts with multiple passes. I'm currently milling our S-7 bodies, which have about 60 passes with 12 different tools. And I've never been happier.
I may go back to SprutCAM some day, when I'm smarter and have time to spend on the learning curve. It can certainly do much more complicated parts, including real 3D which VCarve cannot. However, I find that I have yet to find a need for 3D.
A quick rundown for what I consider the big difference between the two packages:
SprutCAM, especially in 3D mode, tries to automatically cut everything related to your model. You give it a model, it gives you a cut. The problem is, you often don't want it cutting many surfaces. For example, it will constantly try to mill the outside of your material block. This is both pointless in many cases, and incredibly destructive because that's where your vise is. So instead you spend all your time telling it where NOT to machine.
Vectric software is the opposite. You draw a box, and say "cut this box down to this level". It will, by default, machine nothing. It is your job to draw the areas it should machine. This is done easily with the built-in drawing tools, and is simple and intuitive.
To me, it's not even a question. For a given part I did recently, I spent 2 days setting it up in SprutCAM for a 3D mill. In Vectric's Cut3d, I spend under 1 hour setting it up.
Last and certainly NOT least, is get G-Wizard! Speed and feeds pretend to be easily calculated; they are not. Plus, typical speed and feed tables do not take into account the bits ability to not break at those rates. G-Wizard is absolutely indispensable for easily giving you workable numbers every time. Spend a couple of bucks to buy this software, it will pay for itself in the first week of non-broken bits.
Enjoy your machine, it's quite a tool!
Thanks for the info Mr Baker!!
I got the sprut cam for the same reasons, I think I will get the cut 2d and start with that as it sounds to me to be much easier to get a handle on.
The cad program I bought was alibre, how difficult that is I dont know, I would like to get to making chips as soon as possible so I think your suggestion is in order for me.
I thank you for the software explanation, as I dont really know enough to ask an intelligent question at this point!
The software is here at the terminal but UPS doesnt deliver on Saturday. That is just as well though as the machine will take a few days to get it set and put together leveled etc.The speeds and feeds will be somewhat of a problem too, I just go by what looks right on the Bridgeport.
thanks again
mike sr
Mike As part of the package I went with cut2d,alibre and sprutcam ,it takes some time to learn but patience is the key.
How do you like the Alibre software? I got it with the package also and am curious as to the learning curve on it and how you like it.
I spent the day cleaning an area out for the machine, I still need to build shelves for the tooling etc. I had an extra 230 drop for it and I was planning on using one leg of the 230 for my 120 volts for the computer and coolant pump, but I am wondering if I need a separate 120 circuit for the computer?
mike sr
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