[Machinist22]

I've been using my Cenroid CNC controlled Bridgeport now for about a year and a half. Overall, I am very happy with the machine and the system. I have also had several minor problems and have been helped by Marc at CNC Services Northwest as well as the distributor that I bought the machine from.
However, I currently do not have any CAM software and thus have been, with much hassle and time, programming by recording the x,y coordinates from my CAD software onto an Excel spreadsheet that I made up. I then print that off and take it to the machine where I program at the machine, line by line. I know, I know, sounds utterly ridiculous doesn't it. It is very time consuming and there are several opportunities for mistakes but so far I have not had any problems. I run mainly production stuff so the programs are already written.
However, obviously to make any headway in the prototype field this is not a viable option.
I am just a one man shop and cannot justify spending thousands of dollars on CAM software.

Any good ideas on what I can use to expidite my program writing process?

Thanks in advance.

[andre-dolphin]

Hello,

Depends on what type of work you will doing, have a look at Dolphin PartMaster for 2.5D work. Less than $1000 and includes a post processor to output the correct Gcode for the Centroid controller.

2D & 3D CAD / CAM Software Specialist USA - FREE DOWNLOAD!

ATB

Andre
Dolphin Cadcam Ltd

[Machinist22]

Well, I'll take a look at that. I'm pretty young in terms of a company and right now I am making just about enough to get by. Just myself working in my shop at home. $1000.00 would be pretty tough to justify at this point.
I was actually thinking more in terms of shareware or freeware or something.
Just curious if there is any shareware software on the market that can do the basics (2.5 D).

Thanks again

[Boltz]

There are free and paid versions of Cambam:

CamBam CNC Software

Partkam is free:

PartKart PartKAM - Open Source CAM

I believe there is also a g-code generating script for Blender 3D (which is free), but then you need to climb the rather large blender learning curve.

Cut 2D from Vectric is $149 with a 30 day free trial, but you can't post any files you create, just the stock files that come with it.

-Jim Hart

[blowlamp]

You wont go far wrong by trying out CamBam. Very good 2D/3D software that is being updated and extended all the time.
The arrangement at the moment is that updates are free, with only major additions being chargeable and although I've been using it for two and a half years - and in that time it has progressed massively, I have yet to pay anything over the initial purchase price of $149.00.
The latest release (0.9.8), also has a rudimentory but very usable Lathe machining operation, that I'm sure will be gradually built on, in the same manner that the Milling side has been.
As far as I am aware, those people that give it a fair trial don't normally go on to buy something else.

CamBam - Index

Martin.

[tstom]

If you don't have the Intercon option for your Centroid you might want to consider that it's Centroid's conversational progaming option Kind of a fill in the blanks canned cycle deal Easy to use and quite powerful

[Hrefab]

However, obviously to make any headway in the prototype field this is not a viable option.
I am just a one man shop and cannot justify spending thousands of dollars on CAM software.

Any good ideas on what I can use to expidite my program writing process?

Thanks in advance.

I knw that this post is quite old, but having come upon it, I felt that I needed to respond to Machinist22. Hopefully, you're still in business, but with the opinion that you expressed above, it's doubtful. I'm not trying to be snotty or contentious, but if you can't justify spending the money for a good CAM package, go sell off your CNC and take up golf.

What many people don't realize is that the cost of the machine is only the tip of the iceberg. It's not unusual for the tooling to exceed the cost of the machine that it plugs into. In the same vein, the software that makes the CNC so valuable, itself isn't inexpensive. There is no need for you to purchase a $5000.00 package (very inexpensive by todays standards), but if you can't find $1500 to $2000 to lay out for a solid entry level package, then you're just playing at being a CNC machinist. And to backtrack just a bit, a package like CAMBAM (Ah, the name makes you think it's a toy right?) will expedite your work for $149.00 and a few evenings of your time to familiarlze yourself with it's peculiarities. You'll find that drawing the part and having the seamlessness of a compatible CAM feature will allow you to make parts rather than enter MDI code.

There's really NO excuse to NOT have some form of CAD/CAM that you can use.

[Machinist22]

To Hrefab:

Thanks for your input, I guess. Starting a business from the ground up, the way the economy has been, was challenging to say the least. However, I was able to invent a product and begin marketing it online and have been able to begin building a name for myself in spite of "playing at being a machinist".
I have worked out a process that seems to work well for me for now and when I can, I will certainly make the step toward purchasing a CAM package.
While I appreciate any positive comments that might help, any others might just as well stay where they originated.

Thanks

[Hrefab]

The problem with forums and replying to people is that often, egos get in the way, it's hard to discern if someone is being helpful or rude, or more often than not, the responder isn't saying what the questioner wants to hear.

You're doing well by your account, have a nice business on the internet going for you, and evidently, are still coding by hand. Well, if that works for you, and you're happy, then no one can say diddly squat to you.

Once a long time ago, I saw a little cabin made out of wooden matchsticks . It had a couple of rooms and doors and tables and chairs, all glued together from millions of matchsticks. It was kind of neat. And it only took the guy 50 years or so to build it. You think someone might have told him about 2x4's and nails?

[Machinist22]

Hrefab:

I understand and completely know what you are saying. That being said, I am doing as well as I want to at the present time and when I am able, I definitely plan on buying some 2x4's and nails. ha ha

I actually don't have a need at this time because all my programs are written and I just run them. Necessity is the mother of invention and many people don't do something unless they "need" to so that is where I am at the moment.

Thanks again for your input and I will check out CAMBAM and see what it has to offer. No hard feelings. I know everyone has a different perspective and I have learned to appreciate all opinions for what they are. I also prefer learning from others mistakes but sometimes I can't get around making a few myself. Maybe waiting is a mistake but that is just the way it goes.

[Hrefab]

Hey Machinist22! Glad you're thinking of buying that hammer LOL!

No problem, and if you can do your thing with the way you're doing it, more power to you (and I mean that sincerely). I'll tell you one thing that you have going for you if you manually code is that you're going to understand G-Code a lot better than someone who has never entered a line of code manually. Now I don't know how complex your items are, but even if they only require a 'go round', you're still ahead in the understanding of how things get coded.

Now with an inexpensive program like CAMBAM (I'm starting to sound like a salesman for that program), that actually generates usable code, you can afford to play around with different shapes, pockets, islands, etc. and then check out the code and see how it's formatted. Who knows, maybe it will allow you to expand your line or give you some options and ideas for improving what you have without having to set your head on fire trying to figure out a toolpath.

Best of luck and keep making chips.

[Machinist22]

Thanks!
I don't actually program in G-code but I use the Centroid Intercon which is, I guess, classified as conversational. However, I initially learned on G and M code so it is very familiar to me. I know that puts me ahead of most operators and machinists out there that simply use the CAM software to do everything. I also feel that I don't want to lose that by doing everything exclusively in CAM software. It will definitely be a nice way to speed things up though.
My ultimate goal is to get the home PC version of my Centroid software so that if I want to edit the program in conversational on the machine I can but the initial programming can be done on my PC in my house while the machine is running other parts (I can't do background programming with the software that is on the machine).
I am still debating on whether I want to continue to use the Centroid stuff. I have been having problems with the PLC board killing the machine at the end of a program. It doesn't happen all the time but I have not been able to nail down a common denominator that seems to cause it. It is very frustrating and Centroid does not have a very good customer service dept. There is a guy that has been helping from time to time but if I want him to come out it is very expensive. I'll have to see what I can figure out with him giving me suggestions via email.
Thanks again for your remarks. It is encouraging to talk things out with people sometimes. For now I will continue to make chips (too bad I can't charge for each one - ha ha).