03-14-2012, 07:01 PM
Pretty much true. Although lathe work generally has only 2D, most of the CAM programs are designed to work with 3D model files that modern CAD programs export. The one thing about an integrated CADCAM system is there is no translation required to get it to output code. You do have to acquire, or build a post-processor that will output code that each make/model of control uses though. They all seem to be a little different. Here's a sampling of the accepted 3D file formats that you must export from your CAD program:
Pro/ENGINEER (*.PRT.*)
SolidWorks (*.SLDPRT)
Rhino 3D (*.3DM)
STEP (*.STEP/*.STP)
IGES (*.IGES/*.IGS)
Parasolid (*.X_T)
ACIS (*.SAT)
Neutral (*.NEU)
Naturally, there are others, but I think you know enough to realize what's involved, so I won't lecture you. You can, of course, hand code in G and M codes, but if your part is complex, it can be a chore.
Pro/ENGINEER (*.PRT.*)
SolidWorks (*.SLDPRT)
Rhino 3D (*.3DM)
STEP (*.STEP/*.STP)
IGES (*.IGES/*.IGS)
Parasolid (*.X_T)
ACIS (*.SAT)
Neutral (*.NEU)
Naturally, there are others, but I think you know enough to realize what's involved, so I won't lecture you. You can, of course, hand code in G and M codes, but if your part is complex, it can be a chore.