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+--- Thread: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. (/thread-148.html)
RE: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. - DaveH - 03-14-2012
Hi Tony,
That's dead right.
In Vectric I say what cutter to use (end mill) the diameter and the Total depth of cut. Vectric knows the maximum allowed depth of cut for the end mill used ('cause I have already told it) it will work out the number of passes required, and writes the Gcode.
Then Mach3 drives the mill, and I get a fly wheel. Well it just cuts the spokes out.
I always do a dry run first, because most of the time I haven't a clue what is happening. I like watching the CNC mill run - quite fascinating.
Dave
RE: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. - arvidj - 03-14-2012
(03-14-2012, 07:23 PM)DaveH Wrote: Arvid,
That's correct I have the PE version, I have never used .stl files. I just use it as for "modelling".
Dave,
A quick google search suggests FreeMill might be able to read .stl files and generate gcode http://www.mecsoft.com/freemill.shtml
If you get the urge to give it a try with the output from PE please let me know how it turns out. Or maybe upload a .stl file and I'll download it and the play with FreeMill and see what happens. It looks like it will render what the tool path might be so I might be able to see what the mill would have done.
Arvid
RE: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. - Tony Wells - 03-14-2012
That does look promising. I may play with some SolidWorks files and see what it outputs. Not that I have a control to feed....but never know what tomorrow will bring.
Oh, your link has an extra "." at the end preventing it from working.
http://www.mecsoft.com/freemill.shtml
RE: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. - arvidj - 03-14-2012
(03-14-2012, 09:01 PM)Tony Wells Wrote: Oh, your link has an extra "." at the end preventing it from working.
http://www.mecsoft.com/freemill.shtml
Ah, the iPad 'I will add a period at the end of your sentences automatically' feature.
I fixed it. Thanks for correcting it.
RE: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. - DaveH - 03-15-2012
Arvid,
If you PM me your Email address I can send you a .stl file. The attachment does not allow .stl files.
DaveH
RE: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. - EdK - 03-15-2012
(03-15-2012, 12:22 AM)DaveH Wrote: Arvid,
The attachment does not allow .stl files.
DaveH
It does now. Give it a try.
Ed
RE: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. - DaveH - 03-15-2012
Hi Arvid,
Ed to the rescue - thanks Ed
See if the file will work
[attachment=255]
Let us know what, if any thing happens
DaveH
RE: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. - EdK - 11-08-2013
Arvid,
Did you every get around to trying Dave's file with FreeMILL? If so, what was the outcome? I'm starting to get mildly interested in CNCing my mill.
Thanks,
Ed
RE: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. - arvidj - 11-10-2013
Ed,
I never got around to trying the file with FreeMill.
In my case I ended up getting Rhino. Possibly not hobby priced but not outrageous either. Then life got in the way so I've not had time to learn how to use it
.Arvid
RE: The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program .. - DaveH - 11-10-2013
(11-10-2013, 08:14 AM)arvidj Wrote: Ed,Yep, that's normal
Then life got in the way so I've not had time to learn how to use it
Arvid
DaveH