Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CAD to CNC???

SolidCAD has an accompanying SolidCAM product which gets you the G-code.

The CAM package needs to be heavily integrated with the CAM program.
For one, it allows you to integrate the view of the machining issues
while looking at the design. But the real reason is the CAM program
needs to understand the 3D constructs of the part, and that's
proprietary to the CAD vendor.

Once it's exported to the non-vendor-specific .STL triangle mesh, of
course it's technically possible to mill from that, but the capacity
for efficient, quality milling goes way down because the concept of
named surfaces and paths is all gone. 3D printing with sintering or
extrusion or whatever doesn't need to understand nearly as much about
the model and generally isn't hindered by working from .stl meshes.

Danny

On 6/28/2011 11:01 AM, Jack McKie wrote:
> Rich,
>
> You need CAM software that accepts the cad file you want to use to generate tool paths. You have to know a bit about machining and the particular CAM. MasterCAM is great software but a bit much in terms of learning curve.
>
> What are you wanting to machine? 2.5D or 3D?
>
> Jack
>
> --- On Tue, 6/28/11, Armilite@...<Armilite@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: Armilite@...<Armilite@...>
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CAD to CNC???
> To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 11:45 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hello:
>
> If I had a Solidworks 3D Solid model part and wanted to have it CNC
> machined.
>
> What do I need to have for software to convert it to G code for a certain
> CNC machine?
>
> Does Mach3 open the Solidworks 3D Solid model directly and converts it, or
> do I need to convert it to some other format?
>
> What format is best to use, sld.prt, dxf, iges, dwg, etc?
>
> Does MasterCam open Solidworks 3D Solid Models directly, or do they have to
> be converted to something else to?
>
> Just curious on the process.
>
> Thanks
> Rich
>
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