Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CNC lathe toolpath software?

On Sun, 01 Jul 2007 15:25:37 +0100, you wrote:

>Well, just got my ORAC lathe working (in the basic most ways - spindle
>and motor axis all work), but now I'm a bit stuck on what is essentially
>a basic problem.
>What software do you use to design toolpaths for CNC lathes? I'm pretty
>happy with what I'm using for my CNC mill, but I've never even looked at
>the CAM side for CNC lathes.

Lathe CAD/CAM is bit of an oddity in some respects. All that's needed in
CAD usually is a half profile of the part, CAM then uses that to produce
the profile and required operations.

A lot of "Mill" CAM programs say they do lathe, but often badly and
don't support things like Constant surface speed. You also pay extra for
3D which is just not needed.

Personally I use Dolphin Partmaster for the CAD/CAM and Mach as the
controller.

http://www.dolphin.zenwebhosting.com/



Steve Blackmore
--