Tutorial - design to cut

Countryman · Subject: Tutorial - design to cut Fri May 22, 2009 9:36 am

Hi,

As various CNC parts for my Taig Mill are in the post (thanks Jeff!) its time I got to grips with Mach3. Are there any tutorials of how to take a design in say AutoCad to cutting metal?

Cheers,

fretsman · Number of posts: 414 Registration date: 2008-12-07 Age: 43

What type of parts are you wanting to make? Do you have any CAM software at all? That's pretty much what you'll need between a CAD program and a controller program like Mach 3.

There are many free programs out there that will "get you by" but it's up to you to try them and find which one suits you best as all programs are not alike.

Dave

Countryman · Subject: Re: Tutorial - design to cut Fri May 22, 2009 5:12 pm

fretsman wrote:

What type of parts are you wanting to make? Do you have any CAM software at all?

Thanks again for the response Dave!

I am looking to mill frames for a railway locomotive from either nickel-silver or Delrin sheet. Do you have any starting suggestions for the CAM?

Cheers.

fretsman · Number of posts: 414 Registration date: 2008-12-07 Age: 43

Quote:

Thanks again for the response Dave!

Well "someone" has to participate around here, it's like a ghost town in this place since the freebies are gone! Rolling Eyes

If you want free software, try the CamBam free version as I hear many seem to like it although, I've never tried it myself.

There's also LazyCam that's free with Mach 3 but you have to pay $75 for the upgrade to get offsets and pocketing. Honestly, I wouldn't use it even if the upgrade was free as I just don't like how "buggy" it is as I tried for months. I would rather pay $150 for something and start actually cutting than figure out the workarounds for a certain software.

Since it sounds like you just want 2D type design, if you want to pay but get something that's easily worth the money, have a look at Vectric Cut2D. You can download a free trial and look at their tutorial videos which are fantastic and their support is second to none. It is hands down the easiest CAM software I've ever tried out and ended up buying.

Let us know how it works out for you.
Dave

kuhncw · Number of posts: 41 Registration date: 2008-12-06

Though I've not tried it, I've heard good things about SheetCam for 2.5 axis work.

www.sheetcam.com

I'd also say study the Mach3 tutorials and manual and keep asking questions. I think you'll have a lot of fun with your CNC'd Taig.

Regards,

Chuck

Countryman · Subject: Re: Tutorial - design to cut Sun May 24, 2009 5:10 pm

Thanks Dave. I downloaded the Cut2D app and it looks very good. I'm just wading through the tutorials.

Chuck, thanks for your response too. I will investigate Sheetcam.

Cheers.