[ynneb]

LazyCAM is due to be released as a beta real soon.
You may be interested to see what it can do.

Video here (15meg)

See it online
http://www.machsupport.com/LazyCam/LazyCam.html

OR

Download and save it
http://www.machsupport.com/LazyCam/LazyCam.swf

[standles]

Nice video.

At this point I am in the stupid category. Do you offer discounts based on IQ?

LOL!

[joecnc2006]

it shows me its playing but nothing is happening.

looks good

[ynneb]

Joe, if viewing online, I think it still has to download all b4 it plays. It doesnt stream.

Do you offer discounts based on IQ?

From what I am told it will be free to Mach users, and a more advanced version will be for purchase. These detials are not confirmed yet, so please dont quote me on this.

[ger21]

Joe, I use this to view them. http://www.globfx.com/products/swfplayer/

[ynneb]

Thanks Gerry, I forgot to mention that.

[bdillard]

I undoubtedly fall into all three of Art's target user categories, so Lazycam looks like a blessing. And I'm new to cnc, to boot. So feel free to flame, but please throw in a helpful tidbit or two in the process.

This question likely belongs in a different thread, but for those of you who have watched the Lazycam video I can use the spanner to help clarify my question: How does the operator (or software) determine to bring the edge of the cutter to the correct side of the toolpath? In other words, how do you make the cutter cut to the inside of the inside chain, and to the outside of the outside chain?

[ger21]

In other words, how do you make the cutter cut to the inside of the inside chain, and to the outside of the outside chain?

From what I saw in the video, it looked like LazyCAM figured tha out for you. I'm sure there will be an easy way to switch it when it's released.

[joecnc2006]

I undoubtedly fall into all three of Art's target user categories, so Lazycam looks like a blessing. And I'm new to cnc, to boot. So feel free to flame, but please throw in a helpful tidbit or two in the process.

This question likely belongs in a different thread, but for those of you who have watched the Lazycam video I can use the spanner to help clarify my question: How does the operator (or software) determine to bring the edge of the cutter to the correct side of the toolpath? In other words, how do you make the cutter cut to the inside of the inside chain, and to the outside of the outside chain?

looks like you rt. mouse on the tool and click which side you want it on.

[ynneb]

bdillard, I am wondering if you were also meaning, how does lazycam know the radius of the tool so that it cuts on either the inside of the line or the outside, and not on the line itself ? I dont know the answer because the program isnt yet released, but be assured this will be catered for.

Its official, the program will be free for all Mach licence holders. I dont know how Art does it, but his current policy for the past few years, is if you buy the Mach you keep getting free updates, new features, new tools. I know that Mach and its accesories is a thorn in the side to many of the MUCH more expensive software packages.

[bdillard]

bdillard, I am wondering if you were also meaning, how does lazycam know the radius of the tool so that it cuts on either the inside of the line or the outside, and not on the line itself ? I dont know the answer because the program isnt yet released, but be assured this will be catered for..

Exactly right, thanks; and sorry I was unclear. Great to hear that feature will be built into the program. I am in the build stage of my first router table but things appear to be progressing nicely.

I'm concurrently attempting to learn fundamental CAD using Dolphin's free Partmaster program. (I am very impressed with the guys at Dolphin and will post a newbie's impression of their level of tech support soon on the Partmaster forum). I have exported to dxf some part drawings I created in Partmaster, and imported them to Mach3. New to Mach3 of course, so between Partmaster and Mach3 I feel a bit overwhelmed periodically by the learning curve. But I am absolutely amazed at the willingness of Art (and the guys at Dolphin) to provide incredibly clear, concise, video tutorials to help learn their products.

One of the concepts that have failed to bridge my synapses to date is the relationship between the toolpath and the diameter of the bit. I'm vaguely aware of the concept of tool offsets and have not had the opportunity to dig deeper, but I suspect my issue is related. But hey, if Lazycam has the ability to make it simple for us three-category guys, I'm elated!

Art is the man (sorry Al...)!

[JFettig]

Cutter compensation, G42 and G41 I believe they are, it'll tell it to go around the right side say if you were walking the path and wanted to be on the right side of it so you cut outside of it, you would use G42 and the machine calculates the distance out by the diameter you put in the tool table.

first thing that popped up on google: http://prl.stanford.edu/documents/pdf/cuttrcmp.pdf

This will be a great program and I look forward to it! I have been doing this type of thing the long way with ger21's autocad plug in, hopefully this will be easier.

The main thing that is bothering me from the video is the placement of the origin, that should be a specified point either by the drawing or you should be able to specify it with reference to something. This is especialy important if your cutting an existing part, using fixtures etc.

One more thing it needs is pocketing, maybe tool ramping(it sounded like its getting drilling)

The lead in and lead out moves should have the option of having that line attached to the arc, personally I wouldnt put them there, they are not needed.

Jon

[bdillard]

Cutter compensation, G42 and G41 I believe they are, it'll tell it to go around the right side say if you were walking the path and wanted to be on the right side of it so you cut outside of it, you would use G42 and the machine calculates the distance out by the diameter you put in the tool table.

first thing that popped up on google: http://prl.stanford.edu/documents/pdf/cuttrcmp.pdf

Wow. Thank you Jon.

[JFettig]

Basicly if you want to cut a 4" square with a .5" end mill, you want to program your mill(using no cutter compensation) to cut a 4"+radius of tool box, so basicly if you have the bottom left corner at 0,0 the tool will go to -.25 in both x and y, then positive 4.25 in x, positive 4.25 in y, negetive back to -.25 then back to -.25 so both x and y are at the origional location, this way it will leave a 4" square on the inside.

When you use cutter compensation, you can start the path at 0, go to 4, 4, 0, but you need your cutter compensation on, the tools diameter(or radius, depending on what the program asks, typically radius) specified and it calculates the path from there.

Jon

[ger21]

Here are two examples - both the same g-code, one with comp, one without. Load them into Mach3 and you'll see the difference.

[bdillard]

Here are two examples - both the same g-code, one with comp, one without. Load them into Mach3 and you'll see the difference.

I also found an archived thread (Paths to G-Code) http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14537 that I have found very informative. It looks like you have been down this road before. Thank you Gerry.

[Art Fenerty]

Hi Guys:
Sorry I dont get here as often as I like. Been a busy few months. I read your comments and thought Id post a couple of short notes..

Lazycam determins if particular chains are inside other chains. If they are, the leadins are placed on the inside of inside chains, and they are tagged for first cut. Chainging the side of them is as easy as clicking the leadin and telling it to switch sides.

The Leadins can be used for a quick conversion to radisu comp, as any tool smaller than the radisu of those arcs will comp on that side if a simple G41 is added to the code, or G42. In the end, Lazycam will do that for you.

It is a work in progress though, first program releases will have fewer features, and they will grow from there. Pocketing and such is not a priority, but lathe profiling is. For Mills, we are looking at things such as rotation and nesting. Myself and Biran feel that the program has the potential to meet the needs of all us "Lazy, busy, or stupid" people who never seem to catch oin to true CAM programs. Our thought, is let the program decide, it probably knows more than we do anyway.. (Good theory, hope it works.. ). This program will be experimental and will take about 4 months to stabilise, but as of next week, it shoudl provide a nice easy way to get a toolpath form most shapes you can draw in coreldraw, or acad, or whatever you like to draw in.

I appreciate the comments, I do check in periodically, (though Im off on vacation after Saturdays release (Cut and run strategy..), so I hope everyone enjoys it, just remember, its limitations, (if you find them) will slwoly go away.

Thanks
Art
www.artofcnc.ca

[bdillard]

Art, this application has me excited. I have watched the video a few times more and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

During one of my viewing sessions I noticed something I'd like a clarification on. Correct me if I'm wrong but you state that the program automagically knows to cut the inside chains prior to cutting the outside, which is saved for last. It appears to me that the dashed lines which signify rapid moves run first from the origin to the outside chain lead-in. I am going to assume that the move made by the cutter as it finishes the cut and moves away from the part is called a "lead-out". It appears to me that the second rapid move is to the lead-in of the inside chain.

Am I misinterpreting something?

[Barker806]

That was an error in the sotware and it is fixed now You were good to pick that up!

[bdillard]

Just trying to pay attention because it is clear that Lazycam will be my quickest path to productivity. Very impressive stuff.