Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CAD to CNC???

On Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:01:09 +0200, you wrote:

>Nothing converts it automatically, including OneCNC, Siemens SW or any
>of the good ones.
>The good ones cost more than most guys machines in here, way up from
>20-30k$.

FeatureCam will make a damned good attempt at automatically creating
machining strategies and producing gcode. It usually needs some manual
alterations, but maybe only a few hours work IF a good post processor
exists for your machine. Your right about the $30K price though.

>You need to define, exactly, your machine to the cam sw.
>You then use the cam sw to create a toolpath, and this toolpath is in
>the g-code format.
>
>Mach3 then exceutes and runs the g-code toolpath file.
>
>Depending onf the complexity of the file, using the cam sw can take many
>hours to many days.
>I just looked at a turned part with internal and external holes,
>undercuts, projections, slopes, cross-holes, cross-milled bits etc.
>About 90 mm thick, and 150 mm long.
>
>I estimated I might take 3-4 days to program it, for one part.
>That is, none of the machining steps were difficult, but there were
>maybe 40 features on it.
>Internal and external radii, slopes, what have you.

What CAM are you using? I do a lot of complex third party CAM, never
spent more than a couple of days on anything. At the commercial rates I
charge, customers wouldn't pay it ;)

>I also estimated I might cnc turn it, semi-automatically, in maybe1-2
>months.
>Using maybe 3-4-5 setups.
>I thought I might succeed in making a good-looking sample, in alu, in 2
>months.
>This was a complex part, and is an extreme example.

Why so long to machine? Machine limitations? That seems far too long for
even the most complex part to be commercially viable.

For what can be done, and quickly, have a look at some of the Mazak
demos on youtube <G>.

Steve Blackmore
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