The ubiquitous best hobby priced CAD program ..

[DaveH]

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

[arvidj]

(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

[Tony Wells]

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

[arvidj]

(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.

[DaveH]

Arvid,

If you PM me your Email address I can send you a .stl file. The attachment does not allow .stl files.


DaveH

[EdK]

(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

[DaveH]

Hi Arvid,
Ed to the rescue - thanks Ed

See if the file will work

  Oscyflywheel.stl (Size: 483.02 KB / Downloads: 6)
Let us know what, if any thing happens


DaveH

[EdK]

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

[arvidj]

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

[DaveH]

(11-10-2013, 08:14 AM)arvidj Wrote: Ed,
Then life got in the way so I've not had time to learn how to use it .
Arvid

Yep, that's normal

DaveH