Messages

11

General Mach Discussion / Re: CAM recommendation, other than CamBam

« on: February 19, 2011, 10:26:08 AM »

I have spent about the same amount on CamBam and really don't want to purchase software that does about the same thing. I may purchase the VCarve program but I have to make sure it works for me. There are so many programs out there. I don't want to make the same mistake again. CamBam might be great for some but like Tweakie said, it's difficult learning all its little wrinkles. I might evaluate sheetcam and see if its worth the price. I should have evaluated CamBam longer.

12

General Mach Discussion / Re: CAM recommendation, other than CamBam

« on: February 19, 2011, 08:04:08 AM »

Tweakie.......Can you give me some reasons to purchase VCarve Pro over some of the other software out there? I have seen some of the projects out there and they are amazing. What do you use it for? Is it easy to use? I downloaded the trial but haven't messed with it much. I am trying to cut out parts for a new machine but I keep getting snagged converting the files in CamBam. I am very new at this but I want to keep learning and progressing.

13

General Mach Discussion / CAM recommendation, other than CamBam

« on: February 19, 2011, 07:24:48 AM »

Hello,

I am using AutoCad to design and saving files in DXF format. I have been using it for years and am really proficient with it. I have also been using CamBam to convert the DXF files into code for Mach. This is not working out so well because in many instances, CamBam does not transfer the correct code, or something to that effect. For example, I have designed a piece of material which has slots at various angles. They are correct in AutoCad but when imported into CamBam, they will not allow toolpaths. Then when imported into Mach, they do not fully cut as designed or even cut at all. Can someone suggest an easier way to convert my ACad DXF files to code? I have been evaluating VCarve Pro but it's a bit pricey and all I need, at this point, is some simple conversion tool. Any suggestions?

Thanks  

14

General Mach Discussion / Re-starting on a partially cut piece of material

« on: February 19, 2011, 07:09:13 AM »

Please forgive me for sounding so ignorant but it's because I am still figuring out the CNC process. I have been cutting with minor problems but learning as I go. I have been designing using AutoCad and importing into Mach via CamBam. So far, I am not a fan of CamBam but maybe I need to use it more but I am only using it to transfer my AutoCad DXF files to code. If anyone knows an easier way, please let me know but my question is not with CamBam. But I do have a question on why this happened in the fist place because the slots were fine in AutoCad but did not show as one entity when in the CamBam program. 

I imported a DXF file into CamBam in order to develop code and when importing into Mach, something didn't transfer correctly. I wanted to cut a a few slots in the wood but only one cut. I have a large piece of material mounted on the table with the piece partially cut. I will need to fix the file somehow (haven't figured out why it did this) but I want to finish cutting the fixed material since it is a large piece and I don't want to waste it. Finally, my question. How can one align the cutter to cut on the same path as a previously cut piece? I have saved the fixture 0,0 coordinates from yesterday to try and get it aligned today. I have previously clamped the piece in the correct spot and started with plenty of material to spare and have been successful but now I need to be more precise. I knew this time would come but now I'm stumped. If I import the same code (file) with the slot problem corrected, how can I get the cutter on the original cut path? The only thing I will have to correct is the slots and all of the other lines/cuts are in the same exact locations. I don't have one of those fancy centering jigs yet but I want to make one for this reason. But I still need some assistance finding the proper procedure for aligning.

Thanks!   

15

General Mach Discussion / Re: Driver test file not working

« on: February 19, 2011, 06:41:13 AM »

I did finally get it to work and that is what I had to do. Windows is so crazy! Al my other computers are Apple products but I have to use W7 to run my router. Thanks to everyone who has responded.

16

General Mach Discussion / Re: Importing G code

« on: February 07, 2011, 09:35:33 AM »

Thanks Jerry, now I know I need to be aware of this when drafting and editing.

17

General Mach Discussion / Re: Importing G code

« on: February 06, 2011, 09:40:46 PM »

Okay, I get it now. I am trying to figure out the zeroing part. Can one zero on a certain point on the material you are cutting? I have a piece of stock not much bigger that what I want to cut. Can I zero in a certain mark on the stock to ensure the positioning? Can I zero on this mark and expect it to be 0,0 on the work offset?

18

General Mach Discussion / Re: Importing G code

« on: February 06, 2011, 08:44:21 PM »

I guess I should ask this question then. I draft parts in AutoCad and import them in CamBam to transfer them to code. If the part will fit on the router table, is it possible to have it in a spot on the CamBam that will not import correctly in Mach? I ask this because I know the part is well within limits of my table. But it may not have been at a 0,0 coordinate in the Cam software. Could this be a problem? Earlier today, I had the same problem but moved the drawing closer to 0,0 within the Cam software. Then when I imported the code, it was within the soft limit settings. I can't believe that one would have to do this every time. I am still pretty green at CNC ing. 

19

General Mach Discussion / Re: Importing G code

« on: February 06, 2011, 08:33:39 PM »

That could be true because I had to delete some parts in CamBam and then I entered the remaining part I needed in Mach as code. How could I verify that this is the case? 

20

General Mach Discussion / Re: Importing G code

« on: February 06, 2011, 08:23:58 PM »

I did that already. Currently, I click on Machine coord's and it shows how far I am from the home switch. Then I click off and the DRO reads all zeros. Then I click regen tool path and the image is way off to the right, out of the window, unless I zoom out. This is still G54 Fixture 1. Something is messed up!!