Machsupport Forum

G-Code, CAD, and CAM => G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions => Topic started by: skylane on November 07, 2012, 05:29:39 PM

Title: Blank wall re dxf files ??
Post by: skylane on November 07, 2012, 05:29:39 PM

Hi, new to the hobby, have built a desktop three axis machine using Mach3 through a Gecko540. I have the machine up and running using supplied g-code, works well, my problem is I have access to several dxf files but have no idea how to convert to g-code so Mach can run them. On reading everything I can find I suspect I have to somehow put them into Lazycam then convert to g-code for mill. Any help you can offer in laymans terms would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Terry

Title: Re: Blank wall re dxf files ??
Post by: ger21 on November 07, 2012, 06:13:45 PM

There's a LazyCAM manual here.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12078.0.html

Personally, I'd recommend something more powerful and user friendly.
Check out Vectric's Cut2D, or CamBam.

Title: Re: Blank wall re dxf files ??
Post by: skylane on November 07, 2012, 06:29:48 PM

Thanks ger21 for the reply, I have the demo of Cambam and intend to purchase. Could you give me the steps I would need to use to convert in Cambam.
Terry

Title: Re: Blank wall re dxf files ??
Post by: ger21 on November 07, 2012, 06:35:29 PM

Sorry, I've never used it.

Title: Re: Blank wall re dxf files ??
Post by: RICH on November 07, 2012, 07:17:51 PM

The CamBam site has video's and tutorials.
RICH

Title: Re: Blank wall re dxf files ??
Post by: BR549 on November 07, 2012, 07:21:07 PM

Terry , Cambam has a very nice manual. CNC has a fairly steep learning curve. MOST try to do it backwards because some salesman convinced them it was turnkey. and rarely does it work that way.  You cannot run the machine without Gcode. You either have to learn to manually program Gcode(not likely at first) or learn a CAM program that creates Gcode. To run the CAM program you need drawings. To create drawings you must learn the basics of a CAD program.

You just have to bite the bullet and start from the beginning and work your way back to the end results, machining a part. AND even when you get back to there you really need to understand what all the codes MEAN for your machine how else would you know if something is not right.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

Title: Re: Blank wall re dxf files ??
Post by: RICH on November 08, 2012, 06:54:12 AM

Attached is a quicky  to using Cambam.
RICH

Title: Blank wall re dxf files ??
Post by: Fastest1 on November 09, 2012, 07:12:54 AM

You can always drag and drop your dxf into the workspace with CamBam.

Title: Re: Blank wall re dxf files ??
Post by: skylane on November 13, 2012, 02:43:37 PM

Thanks for the replies, thankyou Rich that gives me a start.
Terry