Re: IGES and other solid model files to GCode

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Lionberger"
<jjlionberger@y...> wrote:

> Does anyone know a good program for converting solid models like an IGES to
> GCode to run on a CNC mill? I use Solidworks 2003 to design parts and I

Mecsoft (http://www.mecsoft.com) has a program called VisualMill 4 Basic
for $550 that will take .stl files from SW (you need to make the .stl
extension lowercase for VM to recognize it) that should work great. I have
VM3Free (a former "demo" program) and it is easy to work with. The main
limitation is in the finishing--VM3Free only has parallel finishing, so
vertical walls are not necessarily cleaned, but I just noticed that
VM4Basic has horizontal ("waterline") finishing, which will be ideal for
freeform shapes, and things that have vertical walls but contoured roofs
(like railroad passenger cars...)

Best regards,

Randy

Randy Gordon-Gilmore ,----.___________ ______________ _________________
ProtoTrains // = = === == || == == == = || == == == = == =|
Rio Vista, CA, USA /-O==O------------o==o------------o==o-----------o==o-'
zephyrus@... http://www.prototrains.com