Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Quick and Dirty One-Offs?

Hi Ballendo:
Good points all!!
However, when I was just starting out, I had a Flashcut powered Sherline and
I used a program called Drafix Cad to generate the CADwork.
Flashcut has a built in G code generator that works from DXF files, and I
used that for DXF to Gcode conversion.
Here's where I started to run into snags very quickly:
1) Any part or toolpath edit, no matter how trivial, required a whole
barrage of housekeeping activities to get the final G code into the Flashcut
controller.
I'm talking about creating the offsets for the toolpaths, doing the
conversion to DXF, storing the file, retrieving it for Flashcut, converting
it, editing the code, checking it, and finally running it.
I found this very time consuming.
2) Some simple activities required a huge amount of preparation work in
CAD...things like facing a big surface with a small cutter (to avoid a
toolchange for example), or milling a pocket.
These functions are canned in all but the most rudimentary CAM programs, and
for a business user like Bill Kichman, are probably worth the price of
admission right there.
3) Some functions that are really a requirement for efficient CNC milling
are difficult to the ultra cheapo way without hand coding.
The most important of these is tool entry control.
Entry and exit arcs can be easily drawn into the toolpaths, but linear and
helical ramping are more difficult.
Plunging moves, as you know are murderously hard on tooling in anything
other than plastics milling.

From my experience with productivity doing it both ways, I'd still vote for
a reasonable low end CAM program, that allows creating toolpaths by
describing the part only, and has enough associativity to allow efficient
edits of either toolpath or part geometry without the burden of all of the
above.
Cheers

Marcus

----- Original Message -----
From: "ballendo" <ballendo@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 6:17 AM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Quick and Dirty One-Offs?


> Bill,
>
> I'd suggst a different approach...
>
> Since you already know Acad; use it. Ace converter will do a
> reasonable job of turning your geometry into gcode, and it's free.YOU
> will need to learn how to offset your toolpath from your part
> geometry, which will be good experience, IMO. Several other programs
> exist as add-ons to acad for making toolpaths, at various
> capabilities and price points, if you want to throw some money at
> the "problem".
>
> Either way, you can see how the "new" (gcode) relates to what you
> ALREADY know (the Acad "lines"). This will make for faster learning
> of the new concepts, IMO.
>
> An added benefit is that you will begin making useful things nearly
> immediately; which will inspire you to do more...
>
> Sometimes I think we all forget that learning something complex
> doesn't have to be an "all or nothing" proposition; you CAN just get
> the tip of your toe wet, and gently ease into the "waters"... Before
> you know it, you'll be swimming! (Much better than finding out you
> don't know how to swim AFTER you've jumped in with both feet!...)
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Ballendo