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Author Topic: Milling SolidWorks Model  (Read 9535 times)

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Offline RICH

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Re: Milling SolidWorks Model
« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2012, 01:25:16 PM »
Yep, and take your time in doing it.  ;)
Once you pick what you want off the self, you then pay for it, and there are no returns!  ;D

RICH
Re: Milling SolidWorks Model
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2012, 01:26:04 PM »
returns are in 30 days lol :)

Offline RICH

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Re: Milling SolidWorks Model
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2012, 01:33:27 PM »
You will find that shopping for software is not llike going to Walmart's for a shirt,
thus not liking it after the fact will be no excuse for return.   ::)  :D
RICH
Re: Milling SolidWorks Model
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2012, 01:34:09 PM »
there are trial version though :)

Offline RICH

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Re: Milling SolidWorks Model
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2012, 01:36:15 PM »
Yep,
Before I croak let me know how your evaluation of them all works out.......... ???

RICH

Offline ger21

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Re: Milling SolidWorks Model
« Reply #15 on: February 05, 2012, 01:36:45 PM »
Generally, the ones that cost more than $1500 can read native solidworks files, and extract features from them for more efficient machining. The ones that are cheaper (usually $300 or less) can only import .stl files, and are not the most efficient.

If your parts are mostly "mechanical" in nature, it's often much more efficient to export 2D .dxf drawings, and use a 2D CAM program.
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: Milling SolidWorks Model
« Reply #16 on: February 05, 2012, 01:42:06 PM »
lol i will, ill jsut go through the lsit untill i will be able to mill out my test part :)

-----
ger21, i have reasonably high budget... but i dont mind saving money, we plan to use CNC to build some test parts locally instead of ordering them. Most of them are aesthetic panels for nonelectric devices, accentually mold injection  bodies.

Offline ger21

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Re: Milling SolidWorks Model
« Reply #17 on: February 05, 2012, 02:25:49 PM »
I'd look at MeshCAM.
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html
Re: Milling SolidWorks Model
« Reply #18 on: February 05, 2012, 02:46:21 PM »
will get demo now to see what it is :)
tnx

Offline RICH

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Re: Milling SolidWorks Model
« Reply #19 on: February 05, 2012, 05:13:29 PM »
FWIW,
I do all my 3D in Autocad and save as a stl file. The stl file is used by MeshCam and generates the gcode.
It works quite well for what I'm doing. Most of the prep work here is done in CAD so that there is no need to manipulate the file
in MeshCam. Just the way I am working. The MeshCam pathing is more advanced than CamBam 's and one can quickly modify
parameters and see the results.  Cutviewer Mill is used to check out the generated code and have found it very helpfull when and if the generated code needs to be modified. As a hobbiest, didn't want to spend a fortune, but then it all works for me.

Your choice may certainly be different since it's a buisness decision.

RICH