Is there some kind (or kinds) of a drawing program that all you do is draw the profile you want to make and the program will generate the G code to run your Mach 3 sotware for it?
Printable View
Is there some kind (or kinds) of a drawing program that all you do is draw the profile you want to make and the program will generate the G code to run your Mach 3 sotware for it?
What you are talking about is CAD/CAM software.
The Computer Aided Drafting software is what you use to generate the drawing. The Computer Aided Manufacturing software is what you use to generate the G-code from the drawing.
There is a lot of software available to do both. Many programs have both functions built in. They range in price from free to astronomical.
Google CAD software and CAM software. Fusion360 is a full featured, professional CAD/CAM package that is free to startups and hobbyists, but it has a bit of a learning curve. I personally like CamBam for quick jobs, it has limited drafting capability, but the CAM functions are easy to learn.
Another vote for CamBam. It's a great program for drawing and machining 2.5D parts. Also, it's not cloud- or subscription-based - once you pay for it, it's yours to keep. And the trial terms are outright generous - 40 program launches with full functionality.
Here is an example of a part you can slap together in CamBam in two minutes or so:
Attachment 361922
I only need something for a 2 axis machine so will only be drawing in 2 dimensions.
And I need a SIMPLE, EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND USE program that I can input G-code to and it will make a 2D drawing of the tool path the code will generate to view.
I watched the intro video for Cambam - is wayy over my head!! I need to hire a machine operator that understands this sh_t!
Well, to operate a CNC machine, you do need a machine operator. You can hire one, or you can learn to be one. At the level we are talking about - drawing 2D profiles and making them into G-code - it does not take a rocket surgeon. If thousands of hobbyists have done it, so can you.
You could always buy Peter Smids book (C/W CD) and learn G-code.;)
Al.
You could hand write the G code and then view the result in the Mach3 view window. Mach3 allows you to input G code manually.Quote:
Originally Posted by Reallypistauf
Copy the following code into the Mach3 editor and see what it looks like on the viewer. this is a 4 inch square with a 2 inch dia pocket in the center. Uses a 0.5 inch tool.
( Made using CamBam - CamBam CNC Software )
( Untitled 6/9/2017 09:51:59 )
( T1 : 0.5 )
G20 G90 G91.1 G64 G40
G0 Z0.25
( T1 : 0.5 )
T1 M6
( Profile1 )
G17
M3 S1000
G0 X-2.25 Y-2.0
G0 Z0.0675
G1 F5.0 Z-0.01
G1 Y2.0
G2 X-2.0 Y2.25 I0.25 J0.0
G1 X2.0
G2 X2.25 Y2.0 I0.0 J-0.25
G1 Y-2.0
G2 X2.0 Y-2.25 I-0.25 J0.0
G1 X-2.0
G2 X-2.25 Y-2.0 I0.0 J0.25
( Pocket1 )
S1000
G0 Z0.25
G0 X0.05 Y0.0
G0 Z0.0675
G1 Z-0.01
G3 X-0.025 Y0.0433 I-0.05 J0.0
G3 Y-0.0433 I0.025 J-0.0433
G3 X0.05 Y0.0 I0.025 J0.0433
G1 X0.15
G3 X-0.075 Y0.1299 I-0.15 J0.0
G3 Y-0.1299 I0.075 J-0.1299
G3 X0.15 Y0.0 I0.075 J0.1299
G1 X0.35
G3 X-0.175 Y0.3031 I-0.35 J0.0
G3 Y-0.3031 I0.175 J-0.3031
G3 X0.35 Y0.0 I0.175 J0.3031
G1 X0.55
G3 X-0.275 Y0.4763 I-0.55 J0.0
G3 Y-0.4763 I0.275 J-0.4763
G3 X0.55 Y0.0 I0.275 J0.4763
G1 X0.75
G3 X-0.375 Y0.6495 I-0.75 J0.0
G3 Y-0.6495 I0.375 J-0.6495
G3 X0.75 Y0.0 I0.375 J0.6495
G0 Z0.25
M5
M30
For expediency in typing a program in manually you could remember that many G codes are Modal, IOW no need to repeat them on each line for brevity.
They stay modal until changed Ex: G01 and G02.
The modal groups for G-codes are: Group 1 = {G00, G01, G02, G03, G38.2, G80, G81, G82, G84, G85, G86, G87, G88, G89} motion. Group 2 = {G17, G18, G19} plane selection. Group 3 = {G90, G91} distance mode.
Al.
Hi....try Fusion 360 it has CAM capability too....as a learning curve you need to start at the bottom of the ladder if you want to get to the first rung.....the next rung is easier etc etc
There are no short cuts to proficiency and experience is just another word for making mistakes that you should have learned not to.
To understand the basics of G code programming, go onto UTUBE and watch a few videos.......over and over again until you grasp the fundamentals.
I learned the basics of G code by applying the 9 G code examples from CNC cookbook and watched the vids on UTUBE.
If you hand write a short G code sequence that works, it's easier afterwards to add to it and go on from there.
At all times, apply the correcct sequence for G code that follows the rules or Mach 3 will stop you dead at each mistake......that is one way to analyse what you are not doing right.
BTW.....you learned to read symbols that started with ABC and 123 so that you could read, write and count.....G code is the same method, only you're trying to communicate with a machine.
Ian.