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

Ok, so in summary, the options for getting up to speed are:

Autocad, 3d transferred to a CAM program such as VisualMill
Ace Converter or similar g&m codes translator
high end app such as Autocad Inventor with EdgeCam

My head is spinning at this point. I understand the need to understand g&m
codes, and being able to resolve problems in a CAM app's output, but having
spent some time reviewing g&m codes, I feel like I am writing assembly code
here. This is just for hobby, but like for most of you, time is valuable,
so if I can generate a part more quickly and easily using a high-end app, I
am there!

I took a look at EdgeCam's site, it looks pretty amazing, but advertising
usually does. Does anybody have any insight as to which app is easiest to
generate a 3d part with similar features for ease of use such as this
program? Is this a good program to use? Or should other programs be
considered?
thanks


R. William Kichman, P.E.
Kichman Engineering Associates
103 Old Furnace Road
Cornwall, PA 17016-0643
tel/fax 717/270-0714

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marcus and Eva" <implmex@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 11:25 AM
Subject: 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
>
>
>
>
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