...ok, so while I have your attention, I still have a pretty big hole in my understaning of the workflow. I design my widget in FreeCAD and have an STL file to show for it. Now I need to turn the widget STL file into gcode. Since I have been using Slic3r to do that and we don't need to slice for the CNC, what's the best (read easiest) way to turn that into gcode. I am of course assuming that chillipeppr or what ever I use for control software expects gcode input. Let me know if I have managed to mangle this question.
If you are using for hobby you can use fusion 360 from autocad ,it has a built in CAM program. You can upload the stl to it and use the CAM part to turn it into Gcode but you will need to know which post process u will need in order for the gcode to be in correct format.
Depends on what exactly your widget is: option A something with complex 3D shape and curves on the top option B an essentially flat thing with holes and cutouts, like the OX gantry plates for option A: Fusion360, MeshCAM, BobCAM and others (this will never be 'easy' because there are a million options) for option B: Sketchup + SketchUcam, Inkscape + plugin, Fusion360, MeshCAM, etc.... as for post processing, there are post processors for everything, including GRBL, the forums for the specific product will have the details. (SketchUcam IS the post processor and it generates generic Gcode that works pretty much everywhere, by default) I am biased, I know, but I think you should try Sketchup+SketchUcam (I am a SketchUcam author). This is simple and quick and makes proving that your machine works easy. If you need some sort of 3D part, move on to Fusion, knowing that the machine works.
Another Vote for Sketchup + SketchUcam easy intuitive and gets the job done.. FreeCAD does CAM as well use the path workbench. I have not ran any code created with this yet. But I think Joe Spanier has..
Hi i am trying to use this for plasma also but when i generate code it has no s code for spindle on and off that i plan to use for torch on off any tips?
You can use laser mode. This will generate M3 Sxxx and M5 commands instead of any Z up/down movements. I have Monkey's code and the plan is to integrate it into the next Sketchucam release during this winter 'coding season'.
Ha i acually used the laser mode and it does turn on and off but no z movment i just can't seem to win here lol is there a way to get z movment? At least this should get me cutting but i would really like z up and down if possible. Pierce height would be nice to but i can deal without that.
ok, so you need z movement as well as 'spindle pwm'. you can try this: set your 'plunge rate' to 1mm/min set feed rate to 1000 turn laser mode off now, every plunge will be given with an F0 word (the 1 gets rounded down), and the cut will use a F1000 word. you can now search and replace all 'F0' with 'F123 S0' where F123 is the actual plunge rate you want search and replace all F1000 with 'S1000 F567' where F567 is the actual feedrate you want for cutting. you will also need to search for all Zhhh where hhh is your safe height and replace with 'Zhhh S0'. you might need to run GRBL in laser mode to make it execute the S words immediately.
Did this ever get done? I use sketchucam for my plasma i love it but i have to use laser mode so there is no pause after torch fires so i have to manually input the pause. Also it would be nice to have "z" movement i have to run my torch on rollers to control torch height. It sure would be cool to have plasma mode. I would love to help but know nothing about programing
sorry, no, I still do not know enough about plasma cutters, there is a lot of variation between controllers.
