Re: CAM software with 2D relief capabilities

If you have software which will generate an STL file, you might want
to give meshcam a try. Currently a free beta. It can already do what
you describe.

http://www.robgrz.com/meshcam.phtml

Regards,
Mark

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Brad Eyben" <abeyben@t...>
wrote:

> If you have a typical flat surface such as the bottom of a pocket

and

> imagine it was plastic. Then you were to apply heat and watch it

slump

> downwards as it started to melt but was attached by the edges so as

to form

> kind of a bubble.
> That's the kind of surface I would like to create.
> I think I remember seeing this from a Cimitron demo for making

coins. It was

> very expensive and about 8 or 10 years ago.
> I was thinking maybe some of the more affordable packages may now

have this

> feature.
> Thanks,
> Brad
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Fred Smith" <imserv@v...>
> To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2003 8:36 PM
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: CAM software with 2D relief

capabilities

>
>
> > --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Brad Eyben"

<abeyben@t...>

> > wrote:
> > > Does anybody know of an affordable CAD/CAM package that will
> > produce a
> > > surface from a 2D contour which has a relief up or down.
> >
> > It may be very helpful if you explain your question a little

better.

> >
> > In Cad-Cam a surface is usually defined as a non-flat

construction.

> > A plane is used to define things like the flat sides of rectngular
> > shaped stock, the bottoms of pockets, and the flat areas

surrounding

> > relieved letters and designs. These are usually cut with flat
> > bottomed cutters, either end mills or router bits.
> >
> > A surface, which is non-flat is usually machined with a full

radius

> > ball end mill or Cove bit. Sometimes a Bull nose is used, this
> > combines the flat end with radiused corners. In fine jewelry
> > machining a sharp angled bit is used to carve tiny details that

it is

> > impractical to machine with a radiused cutter.
> >
> > Simple pocketing with islands will create raised or inset letters

and

> > complex shaped contours. Is this what you refer to when you use

the

> > term relief? Pocketing with angled cutters will also create a 3D
> > appearing letter or contour.
> >
> > Most of the inexpensive cad-cam systems will produce one or more

of

> > these kinds of toolpaths. If you are more specific about what you
> > want to cut, a more precise recommendation can be made.
> >
> > Fred Smith - IMService
> >
> >
> > Addresses:
> > FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
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