Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: surfmike on September 25, 2012, 01:29:22 PM

Title: Irregular height of material possible?
Post by: surfmike on September 25, 2012, 01:29:22 PM
Hi! I'm new in this cnc area, so I need some advice from the guys who do know...

I want to mill some 3D stuff which is very irregular in height and volume.
In some areas it's a lot of material, in some areas it's minor. Total area is approx. 4' x 8' (48"x96") (120x240cm).

Is it possible to stack material in different height (see attached picture) depending on where it's needed, and tell the program/machine/Mach3 to work just where the material is placed?

Thx
//Mike
Title: Re: Irregular height of material possible?
Post by: budman68 on September 25, 2012, 01:51:05 PM
Mike, I believe what you would have to do in this situation is set this up in your CAM program the way it is in "real life". Mach 3 will do what ever Gcode you input into it but it has to be told this information from somewhere, and that somewhere is what you setup in the CAM program you have and then generate GCode from that.

Hope that makes a little sense?
Dave
Title: Re: Irregular height of material possible?
Post by: surfmike on September 25, 2012, 03:57:24 PM
Thanks Dave!

So there is an option to enter WHERE the material actually is in Gcode format? Any particular CAM program in mind?
I feel my learning curve is steep from zero... :)
//MIke
Title: Re: Irregular height of material possible?
Post by: budman68 on September 25, 2012, 05:14:47 PM
I think what you should do is just start looking around at CAD and Cam software, and try all of the trials you can, as there isn't one that is the best at everything. I highly recommend anything from Vectric as it's just a piece of cake to learn, and that's coming from a basic newbie when I started. They have the best tutorials and VERY helpful forums as well. Just some of the nicest people over there.

Naturally the more you spend, the more options you will get, but again, try as many programs as you can to see what's right for you. Watch youtube videos, ask questions, anything to "take it all in" so that you can get comfortable with the terms of what is what when it comes to CNC.

Dave
Title: Re: Irregular height of material possible?
Post by: surfmike on September 27, 2012, 12:16:56 PM
Thanks Dave,

you've been to great help.

//Mike