[Jack000]

I may add lathe functionality in future versions, but only after I get a cnc lathe to test with, which is probably a long way off unfortunately.

[ynneb]

Thats a great example demo jakehorky.
You mentioned EMC and Linux.
Out of interest did you use partKam in a browser in Linux or windows.
I thought there was an issue with partkam in a linux browser?

[jakehorky]

Hey thanks ynneb! I run it on both and haven't noticed any issues. I use my XP machine to do the core design, then move over to my Linux box when I think I'm ready to cut. I typically stay on that machine to do any tweaking (rotation, etc).

I use Chrome as my browser on both machines, launching PartKam out of a desktop shortcut (.swf file).

[ynneb]

Thanks jakehorky, thats good to hear that it does work in Linux.
Why do you do you main design in XP ? What limitations do you find using any of the CAD programs in Linux? What CAD programs do you use other than Inkscape. I'm sure you know that Inkscape works under Linux?

It has been my dream to create a Linux distro that is 100% dedicated to CNC. Similar to the EMC distro, but also includes a decent CAD and CAM included in the distro.
I find it frustrating the though of having to boot in and out of both OS's.

I am pinning high hopes on PartKam filling the missing CAM gap on Linux.

[jakehorky]

I have a few reasons to use XP, but they're more specific to me than any limitation on Linux. I like the idea of having a computer dedicated to controlling the mill - it's a personal preference, but I don't really like using the pc that's controlling the mill to do other things. For that reason, the monitor on that computer is small to save workbench space.

I do have Inkscape installed on my Ubuntu distro and I do use it, but it's just not as convenient/comfortable as designing on my XP machine which has a nice chair, large monitor, all my music, etc.

I (rarely) use Solidworks as a cad program because that's what we used in college. What CAD program are you running on Linux?

[G3d]

I use partkam on Mac OsX with Safari browser without any problems.
Great software
Normaly i use heekscad/cnc, but for simply tasks i prefer partkam.
1. I can use it on my mac
2. Heekscad tends to crash a lot :/

btw. ynneb what cam gap do you mean
heekscnc is nice piece of software, and its freeware.
Here is some prototyping using illustrator + partkam + emc2

[jakehorky]

G3d - awesome examples. I'm interested in making a knife myself, yours is encouragement for me to try!

[G3d]

G3d - awesome examples. I'm interested in making a knife myself, yours is encouragement for me to try!

It's only the white scale that i have made
But i'm more into knives than cnc, and whole knife made on cnc is only a matter of time

More to the topic:
- no undo for new created object
- 1 single button - clrear screen/new file would be nice
- tool/settings memory so when you create lets say pocket with 3.175mm bit, -2mm deep the next one created will get the values so you dont have to type it

[duzallcnc]

What version of flash is necessary to modify the code?

Thanks

Sean

[G3d]

Hey Jack
The domain is down, whats up ?
Please don't leave this great piece of software to waste.
I use it mainly becouse it's multiplatform - i can make simple designs using illustrator & partkam.
Maybe you need some help or anything ?

[gera229]

Kind of hard first learning this software.

But I still haven't figured out how to generate the G-Code. Or where it is stored.

I downloaded Revision 16, but I could not see PartKart anywhere in tabs.
Where is it?

Also, you should add some help comments for each command explaining what they do.

Aside from that are there any instructions/manuals?

[jakehorky]

FWIW, I wrote out my workflow below. As you can see, I only use ParkKAM to generate gcode from svg files. This has been working very well for me for a long time - especially for cutting flat parts out of aluminum plate.

-Draw part in Inkscape
-Open PartKAM, Edit->Edit Preferences: Set "SVG Default Resolution" to 90 (90 is the default resolution for Inkscape) & uncheck "Snap to Local Points" (I put the part where I want it in Inkscape and therefore don't want PartKAM snapping it to any other position).
-File->Open: select .svg file created in Inkscape
-Highlight path(s) to machine, then go to CAM->Profile and input machining parameters. I repeat this for any other paths I wish to cut. I rarely use any of the other cam utilities besides "profile" (if any it's "pocket" and "drill")
-Generate toolpaths with CAM->Calculate All
-Edit toolpaths under the Toolpaths menu as required
-Generate and save gcode with CAM->export gcode
-Give the file a meaningful filename, and save it with an .ngc file extension
-Open EMC2, open the ngc file, verify everything looks good. If not, I switch back to Inkscape or PartKAM and make corrections.

This entire process is very simple and very fast. I leave Inkscape, PartKAM, and EMC2 open until my part is cut so I can quickly edit anything as needed. It's actually somewhat important to leave PartKAM open because it can't save any settings. So if you close you have to reenter everything (minor inconvenience considering its cost...).

A quick tip when making edits to the original svg drawing is to highlight all paths in PartKAM and delete them. This will clear the screen before opening/reopening another part.

[gera229]

So what exactly is PartKart?

Jakehorky, are you milling 2.5D objects?
Do you import 3D objects into PartKAM or 2D objects and milling in 2.5D?

I would appreciate if you make a video tutorial describing the majority of the things and ones that are important too.
That should get me started pretty good.

Gera

[jakehorky]

I think PartKart was going to be a way to place a part order directly through Jack000's website.

PartKAM doesn't do 3D, just 2.5D, which is what I use it for. It's really easy... be careful not to over think it.

One thing I forgot to add to my process above is using the "add tabs to selected" feature. There can be some strange behavior when you try to delete extra tabs, but barring that, it works wonderfully. I suggest ignoring this feature for now until you get more familiar with generating plain old gcode from PartKAM.

I probably can't do a video just yet because I'm overworked as it is. I will keep it in the back of my mind though.

[iwonderbra]

Hey Jack.
I really need your offset path algorithm. Where I can find PartKAM sources now?

[itain]

I found partkam sources here. It is an old version. I hope Jack will update that site or find other ways to publish sources of the latest version.
Anyway, it looks like the complete g-code post processor is there. Very nice and readable source code.


Some suggestions for improvement:
1. In profile operation when I ask for CCW direction, Inner paths should be processed CW (or have a separate option).
2. Some path order optimization would be welcome. A lot of time is wasted on jogging when the artwork is made of many small paths.
3. Store preferences.

[lenitech]

I made my first part with PartKAM last night. It turned out pretty good. However, there is a small indentation where the toolpath started and stopped each profile pass. I'm not sure why this appeared. I did use a 0.005 allowance for a roughing pass and then created a finish pass without the clearance. It looks as if the end mill cut into my part by .005in where it plunged into the stock. Is there a workaround to create a lead in/lead out to the toolpath so that this doesn't happen again?

[WillAdams]

For those who are curious, a successor to partkam is now hosted at http://www.makercam.com/

[freeenergykiwi]

Hi how do install partkam? I see the web based interface.... what are the options for using partkam offline?
do I need to have flash developer installed? if so which version?
I tried installing exe file from earlier in the thread but it doesn't seem to work properly.
oh win xp professional 32.

[salzburg]

WillAdams, maybe you could tell me how to install Makercam on my PC permanently. I can't figure out how. Looks like a great CAM program for hobbyist

like me.