Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Digest Number 415

Message: 8
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 22:10:18 -0800
From: "Jay Tuckwood" <jtuckwood@...>
Subject: BOBCAD FOR 3D?

Greetings,

I would like to export SolidWorks 3D IGES files to BobCad and machine
complex parts.
Have any of you had success doing this?

For the past 3 yrs, I have had great success exporting Autocad DXF files to
BobCad and creating G-code for machining 2 1/2 dimension holes and pockets,
etc. on my CNC Sherline mill.

I know a real 3D CAM software package will set me back $10K or more (which
is out of the question). BobCad looks so promising, but I have had no
success with real 3D. (There must be a trick...and the support from BobCad
has been abysmal).

Jay

[I don't think BobCad is capable of importing any kind of 3d surface. I got
an evaluation copy and tried it myself, but had no luck at all doing this
(although they did try to help). It can import simple entities, like lines
and arcs, and has some capability to surface these itself and then generate
g-code, but for complex parts this could get hairy. Depending on your
parts, you might consider DeskProto- this program can import 3d DXF, VRML,
and STL files, but not IGES. It will generate g-code for the contoured
surfaces, but it doesn't have the capability to do precise holes and
pockets. Mecsoft's VisualMill will import 3d IGES files and deal with holes
and pockets. It has various remachining options too, and while it's not
cheap, it's a lot less than $10k.]

Andrew Werby
http://www.computersculpture.com


Andrew Werby - United Artworks
Sculpture, Jewelry, and Other Art Stuff
http://unitedartworks.com