CNC confusion

[marmon]

OK it looks like we have a cnc miller in the works (first one) and I am completely confused about the operation. Do CAM manufactures MasterCAM, etc. strictly run off imported drawings? Or can you create parts in the CAM program itself without CAD? After creating the "g" code with the CAM program, is this enough or do you know need a seperate post-processor?? The machine is a milltronics RH30
Thanks

 

[mrainey]

Any decent CAM program will let you define the part without importing an existing drawing. Some have better CAD capabilities than others, of course.

The post processor is normally part of the CAM program. It creates the G-code after you define all the operations. A post processor for your control should come with the CAM system, or at least be available at small extra cost. Some CAM systems let you create or modify the post processors yourself.


Software For Metalworking

http://mrainey.freeservers.com

 

[mrainey]

Also, look here.

http://www.jjjtrain.com/vms/cnc_cad-cam/cnc_cad-cam_00.html

Software For Metalworking

http://mrainey.freeservers.com

 

[alejandroillini]

most cam softwares have a CAD portion to it others sell the CAD seperately then there are some CAD software packages that have CAM plug ins I know Pro E has an add-on to program mills I used that plug-in in college. yes you want your CAD/CAM to be integrated so you don't have to re-import the parts and start over every time you make a change. I would call masterCAM and ask if they have a CAD intergated into their software. Or check with the company that makes your cad and see if they have a CAM add-in or plug-in for your particular machine. well good luck

 

[Heckler]

MasterCAM has both a stand alone package "MasterCAM X2" which draws 2D/3D and imports most native MCAD models. When you buy most CAM packages they come with post processors for the type of machine you have. MasterCAM has most of the popular machine post-processors included. Then they have an add-in for SolidWorks called MasterCAM direct.

I wouldn't do any coding at the machine controller since it's not efficient.

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 3.0 & Pro/E 2001
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NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
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"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." - Mahatma Gandhi

 

[MikeHalloran]

The firmware in your Milltronics mill, and the PC emulator software that comes with it, can import DXF files and produce G-code files from them, _without_ MasterCAM, unless you're generating stuff like turbine airfoils. You can't generate a CAD model on the machine, but you can program a surprisingly complex part without one.

MasterCAM can do a little CAD, I think, but it's optimized for working _from_ CAD files. It needs a postprocessor to generate the right G-code files for a Milltronics mill, and a different postprocessor to generate the right G-codes for, e.g. a Haas mill.

You _can_ do programming right at the machine, and you can make changes right at the machine. It's fast, but it's dangerous, because you need to have the institutional discipline to make accurate markups, go back and change the CAD model, and find and update all the stored files in between that and the part. Stopping the machine and waiting for a change to ripple down from the CAD model is safe, but expensive.

You need to get your process straight in _everyone_'s head.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA