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View Poll Results: Hand writen VS Cam

Voters
223. You may not vote on this poll
  • Hand writen

    28 12.56%
  • Cam

    89 39.91%
  • Little bit of each

    106 47.53%
Page 1 of 3 123
Results 1 to 20 of 53
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    100

    Hand writen G-code VS Cam

    Just curious how many write to Cam, Me I write it.
    cadfish
    http://www.burgiengineers.com/

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    507
    Most of my programming gets done with Cam. But sometimes i do plain simple programs by hand.
    *** KloX ***
    I'm lazy, I'm only "sparking" when the EDM is running....

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    100
    I don't have cam so I hand write it I have one code that is 374 lines and not even an 1/8 done IS IT WORTH IT????
    cadfish
    http://www.burgiengineers.com/

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    2337
    I ticked little bit of each, but would have prefered another option " Mostly by CAM, slight editing by hand."

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    476
    Quote Originally Posted by ynneb
    I ticked little bit of each, but would have prefered another option " Mostly by CAM, slight editing by hand."
    My thought too. CAM is great for profiling and doing complex parts. Hand coding also has its place. I use it mainly to drill my locating holes for when I flip the work piece over.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Posts
    205

    Manual programming on Steroids

    For all you guys who do the simpler stuff by hand ... you can easily and cheaply put your manual programming on steroids? ( Sorry ... no offense Mr. Palmiero ).

    I invite you to have a gander at KipwareM and KipwareT ... soon to be KipwareEDM and more ... at www.KentechInc.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    263
    I wrote it by hand for the first twenty years, then used APT for the last five.

    A lot of people seem to think they need CAM to do even simple things with a CNC machine. Most of the time a pocket calculator, a ten dollar copy of TurboCAD, and a text editor will get the job done pretty quickly.
    Software For Metalworking
    http://closetolerancesoftware.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    242
    I've been doing small stuff by hand. Round & Square Pockets, surface milling, drilling. Easier to do than dealing with software. Anything more than that, I need CAM. I insert lots of M00's between lines for that first run & cut air the first time too.

    CNC was originally designed for hand coding. It's good to know how to do it even if you have a CAM package. Anything more than 20-50 lines I'll let the computer do.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    Quote Originally Posted by mrainey
    I wrote it by hand for the first twenty years, then used APT for the last five.

    A lot of people seem to think they need CAM to do even simple things with a CNC machine. Most of the time a pocket calculator, a ten dollar copy of TurboCAD, and a text editor will get the job done pretty quickly.
    That $10 copy of TurboCAD and something like ACE (free) will do it 10 times (or more) faster.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    12177
    Some of the posts so far have mentioned simple or simpler programs; how do you define simple? Can we see some examples both of a part drawing and the final code?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    263
    I don't have time to do examples from scratch, but for people interested in starting out with CNC programming on the cheap - check out these free programs. You can use a group of simpler tools, in combination with your own creativity, to get a lot done.


    Ace Converter (already mentioned) http://www.dakeng.com/ace.zip
    Generates toolpaths from DXF files


    AutoEditNC http://www.betatechnical.com/misc/Au...all%20V3.0.exe
    Editor and programming aid

    Also check out the betatechnical website for a good book, with free downloadable chapter.


    Discriminator editor and backplotter
    http://www.cncedit.com

    My own contribution - machining calculations and data.
    http://mrainey.freeservers.com/MEConsultant20.html
    Software For Metalworking
    http://closetolerancesoftware.com

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    1880
    I use cad for almost all coding and if I edit it by hand (which happens on all new programs) I then fix the cad file so that no editing (or so very little) has to be done.

    The reason I program even the simplest things in cad is initialy for practice and for memory. I tend to delete old g-code files but the cam I save for ever (barring an accident). And you never know when your little program will turn into a big one, so you might as well have the geometery alrready done. (typing is a ltittle off today, got to eat my wheaty's )
    thanks
    Michael T.
    "If you don't stand for something, chances are, you'll fall for anything!"

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    4826
    I agree wholeheartedly with Michael T.'s methods and reasons. If you have a good cadcam, you'll just like it more if you practice with it on the simple things to the point of getting really fast. If you save the cadcam for only the hard jobs, then that just makes them harder to carry out.
    First you get good, then you get fast. Then grouchiness sets in.

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    Quote Originally Posted by HuFlungDung
    If you have a good cadcam, you'll just like it more if you practice with it on the simple things to the point of getting really fast. If you save the cadcam for only the hard jobs, then that just makes them harder to carry out.
    And even the simplest CAD/CAM is always going to be faster than hand writing the code, as long as you are proficient with the software you're using.

    Some of the posts so far have mentioned simple or simpler programs; how do you define simple?
    Simple can mean different things to different people. But like the previous two posts, I'd recommend doing everything in CAD. You still should know how to read and write g-code, and know it well. But the CAD/CAM route will be faster, and less prone to errors (typos).

    I don't have cam so I hand write it I have one code that is 374 lines and not even an 1/8 done IS IT WORTH IT????
    No. Spend that time learning some CAD/CAM, even if it's A9CAD http://www.a9tech.com and ACE http://www.dakeng.com
    You'll have a lot more time on your hands once you let the software write the code.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    57

    I like to code :D

    I do all hand coding using cad drawings as a reference tool. All the parts I have to do are relatively simple, just turned and bored, and threaded on our Lathe. So I don't think we are going to purchase a cam $y$tem (sic)
    I just hate having to go to the lathe for backplotting...

    Is there a free or cheap backplotter for CNC lathes ??? Everything seems to be
    made for CNC mills.

    What I do like about hand coding is that I am becoming very familiar with all the codes and canned cycles, and I can control tiny little details...cuz I am a control freak ><;

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    263
    Discriminator works just fine for lathes. It won't draw the tool, just the toolpath, but you can usually visualize the tool clearances in your mind. I don't see much value in solids for backplotting turning programs, so no loss there.

    The program is a free trial that doesn't time out. My all-time favorite free backplotter, even though it's apparently not supported any more.

    http://www.cncedit.com
    Software For Metalworking
    http://closetolerancesoftware.com

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    57

    Handy stuff !

    to: Mrainey

    I tried Discriminator out, I'm not sure I like the backplotting style it uses,
    but I really like the editor ! I think I will use that instead of notepad (LOL)

    AND... I saw your Thread Data Program ! I think I wanna buy it if I get approval.

    later !

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    1880
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I do all hand coding using cad drawings as a reference tool. All the parts I have to do are relatively simple, just turned and bored, and threaded on our Lathe. So I don't think we are going to purchase a cam $y$tem (sic)

    What I do like about hand coding is that I am becoming very familiar with all the codes and canned cycles, and I can control tiny little details...cuz I am a control freak ><;
    You should realy try and get even a cheap cad system for this. Relying on hand programing limits your ability when it comes to the complex stuff and saying that your shop will never do the "hard stuff" (especialy if your a job shop) is a good way to go out of business. Everyone will pass you by! If down the road you decide to take on more complex work your learning curve will be that much harder and your mindset will not be complementery to learning a new cad system.

    And like Hu said just doing the simple stuff will make you much beter when it comes time for the hard stuff.

    If it just the money justification, then look at the cheaper systems out there.

    No. Spend that time learning some CAD/CAM, even if it's A9CAD http://www.a9tech.com and ACE http://www.dakeng.com
    You'll have a lot more time on your hands once you let the software write the code.
    who couldnt use more time?

    and if your excuse is "I like doing it the old way" then your are a "Hobbiest" and don't realy have the mindset for the business end. (gee did I say your just a hobbiest, my appologies, there probably arn't any around these parts anyway! )
    thanks
    Michael T.
    "If you don't stand for something, chances are, you'll fall for anything!"

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    100
    My new book Machining and CNC Technology 2004 by Michael Fitzpatrick finaly came in the mail with a student version of Mastercam. now i just need to learn the program.
    cadfish
    http://www.burgiengineers.com/

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    263
    mannster,

    I tried Discriminator out, I'm not sure I like the backplotting style it uses,
    but I really like the editor ! I think I will use that instead of notepad (LOL)

    AND... I saw your Thread Data Program ! I think I wanna buy it if I get approval.

    Whatever works for you.

    I'll be releasing a new version of the thread data program in a day or two - adds form tap data, buttress thread data, and some interface improvements.


    Mike
    Software For Metalworking
    http://closetolerancesoftware.com

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