Machsupport Forum

G-Code, CAD, and CAM => LazyCam (Beta) => Topic started by: garand on October 09, 2015, 09:01:55 PM

Title: New guy
Post by: garand on October 09, 2015, 09:01:55 PM

I have bought a small used cnc router. Just got Mach 3 demo loaded. I tried to load lazy cam and keep getting a win32 cabinet self-extracting screen, application error. I have AutoCAD and would like to import into mach 3 as DXF. at this point I'm wondering if I should try to get Lazy cam loaded or get a new cam program. Like I said I'm new to this, but not new to milling or AutoCAD. Just new to the conversion to gcode part. Any suggestion or words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bill

Title: Re: New guy
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 10, 2015, 02:20:43 AM

I am not certain what is causing the problem with loading LazyCam that you are describing - it can be loaded as part of the Mach3 install and is usually quite painless. Perhaps un-install and re-install Mach3 including LazyCam and see if that cures the problem.

In the meantime and if it's any help, there are others using AutoCAD together with AutoLISP to create the necessary Gcode for Mach3.
The basic details can be found here;    http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/How_to_Generate_CNC_Code_Using_AutoCAD_and.html

Tweakie.

Title: Re: New guy
Post by: garand on October 10, 2015, 12:18:40 PM

Thanks for the info. I tried to uninstall lazy cam and reinstall. I will try the mach 3 too! I used lisp files about 20 years ago.
Thanks again,
Bill

Title: Re: New guy
Post by: robertspark on October 10, 2015, 03:39:40 PM

try sheetcam (http://www.sheetcam.com/)?

DXF import, trial / free version 500 line limit

Title: Re: New guy
Post by: ger21 on October 10, 2015, 05:57:39 PM

Quote from: Tweakie.CNC on October 10, 2015, 02:20:43 AM

In the meantime and if it's any help, there are others using AutoCAD together with AutoLISP to create the necessary Gcode for Mach3.
The basic details can be found here;    http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/How_to_Generate_CNC_Code_Using_AutoCAD_and.html

Tweakie.

If you want to create g-code from within AutoCAD, try  my VBA macro.
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/ac2gc.html
Much easier then messing around with Autolisp.

Title: Re: New guy
Post by: garand on October 11, 2015, 11:11:02 AM

Thanks for the replies. I am using AutoCAD R14, It appears it may be too old to run the software you have suggested. I will start looking for a newer version of AutoCAD.

Title: Re: New guy
Post by: robertspark on October 11, 2015, 11:30:40 AM

Honestly, do your drawing in autocad if that is the cad pckage you are most comfortable with (dassault draftsight is free (for personal use)) compatible software package),  then open your dxf in sheetcam and generate your gcode there, after setting up your machine and defining a few tools (really simple).

Have a look on YouTube and search you,for sheetcam, there are a huge number of easy to follow detailed well presented tutorials.

Alternative 3d software (if you need 2.5d too) would be onshape, which is again free... But I must admit not sure about the export file format (one thing to watch... Don't draw something and then realise you can't do anything with it (like I did with emachineshop....))

Rob

Title: Re: New guy
Post by: ger21 on October 11, 2015, 02:39:04 PM

Yeah, you're probably better off getting a CAM program to import your AutoCAD drawings, like Sheetcam or Cut2D.

Or, try the free Autodesk Fusion 360, which does both CAD and CAM.