Help needed for a 3d part gcode for mach3

[Rebekah_harper]

Can any one test this part so I know if it the design or the cam software.

I tried BamCam but the part doesn't even appear.

[phill05]

I can open it up in Autocad and see the rail has been extruded but It appears there are no 3D faces, when DFX is imported into Artcam pro, (reads no 3D triangle data)

Phill

[JAZZCNC]

It opens fine in Solid works just the curved surfaces are not so smooth and made from straight lines. (Maybe meant to be that way.?)

To create this then I'd would do it mostly with 2D toolpaths and just use 3D for the curved surfaces. Depending on material then could even be done with all 2D toolpaths if profiled tooling was created or found, this would greatly speed up the cutting time.

[magicniner]

Save it as .igs or .iges for import into a wider range of CAM software packages.

I've just used Autodesk Inventor to open & Save As a .igs and opened it in BobCad Cam.
I guess you'll machine in two operations, the grooved side first and arrange a fixture or vice jaws that will hold the part for machining the second side.

To produce G-Code at least your tooling diameter and tip form ( flat, ball, flat with radius) with RPM, number of flutes and feed per tooth (both linear and plunge) also initial stock size would have to be defined in the CAM package to allow path generation for your machine.

I'm just clambering up the CAD/CAM learning curve but it looks to me as if you should be able to generate paths to cut the part with some fairly basic CAM functions, by defining a rectangular border to limit tool paths you could use most roughing functions and a surfacing function for both the slotted and the simpler side.
Regards,
Nick

[JAZZCNC]

I'm just clambering up the CAD/CAM learning curve but it looks to me as if you should be able to generate paths to cut the part with some fairly basic CAM functions, by defining a rectangular border to limit tool paths you could use most roughing functions and a surfacing function for both the slotted and the simpler side.

Problem with this approach Nick is the time factor involved, 3D toolpaths require a tiny step-over so cycle times will be high for the whole part. The best or fastest approach is to use 2D toolpaths for the simple bulk areas like the slots and flats then just use the 3D toolpaths in the areas that require them.
The Cam software used will mostly dictate how this is tackled but has you say creating a boundry area around the area required is often used. Again dependent on Cam software then you may need to allow extra for tool diameter.? Better more expensive Cam packages will do this for you but most don't, Bobcad Cam doesn't I know that for sure has I use it. ( Not for 3D thou has it's crap at it.!!)

[magicniner]

In BobCad Cam you can define stepover and cut depths for most of the 3D paths allowing you to trade off finish against time as required, the precise solution will, as you say, depend on the package chosen to do the job with.

If I was making the track plate in the model I'd probably do it on my Emco FB2 and machine it manually,
Regards,
Nick

[Rebekah_harper]

well I am trying to give BobCad a go but the demo isn't installing.

however, I really don't want to over complicate things by combining 2D and 3D. I am happy to sacrifice time as I have plenty of it. at least I am not trying to do it manually 110 times as that would kill me.

so I am trialling feature CAD at the moment whilst I am trying to resolve BobCAD issues. The idea is to learn CAD and CAM at the moment whilst I build my CNC machine.

sofar I haven't generated any code yet so I am still keen to know if it will. if any one whats to give it a go to actually produce one that would be awesome to see.

thank you for the information so far, lots of food for thought.

as I need to do this in two stages, what would be a good method to set this 2 stage system up.

many thanks

becky

[magicniner]

Problem with this approach Nick is the time factor involved

Always with the negative waves Moriarti