Hello all.
I'm brand new to this although I've been model engineering for years.
I'm very fortunate to have acquired a complete TAIG/Peatol CNC mill all set up and calibrated with Mach3. It's fabulous..... I think.
Seriously, I'm delighted, ready set up, and little laboratory use but moreover beautifully consistent accuracy.
It came with MAch3 together with Sketchup pro and a Phlatboyz plugin. The plugin is fine for producing 'etches' and profiles from sheet material and mainly used by model aeroplane makers. It will cut pockets and the outline of a 3D item with a little bit of creative parameterisation, but I'm sure that before long I'll need something a little more appropriate.
I've used TurbCAD, but like many struggle to do even the simplest things, eg a steam chest for a loco, which is very simple. I've never translated it to MAch3 though.
I've used the sketchup which came with the package and goodness it's a breeze to create 3D shapes.
Now I know that sketchup pro can export DXF and on into Mach3, but I've no idea yet how to set up the offsets and tools in Mach3 yet. The phlatboyz tool does all of that.
So...................
Is anyone using sketchup, and is so, what plugin to create the files for Mach3, perhaps with tools and offsets already set in the package? Now I'm retired, so I can't afford professional software costs.
Lastly, a plea, I hope not in vain. Are there any guides for Turbocad and it's use with Mach3 that could ease the pain? Turbocad and many of its competitors seem awfully over complicated to do the simplest thing.
However, cut my first test cube today, with a nice little recess. Very satisfying.
Robin Mosedale
Gloucestershire
England
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