3d machining

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3d machining

Postby danando » Wed May 01, 2019 1:26 pm

Hi, I've recently started at a small design and manufacturing company, we have a Denford easimill 3 with a connected pc running windows 10 with UCCNC software version 1.2047.
The machine has been repaired a while ago as it had an internal hardware fault but has since been gathering dust.
It seems to be in working order. I've tried importing .iges or .step files but the software only seems, as far as I can see to only be able to cope with dxf files.
I'd be grateful if anyone can suggest where I can go from here. Is there a software upgrade that can deal with 3d files. Would we be better off going to Mach3 or similar? The company are considering selling the machine as is and buying something more up to date, but it won't be used that much. I'd like to cover all options before writing it off.
Ideally it would be great if we could get to a point where we could machine 3d forms such as a hemisphere for example. Maybe this is too big an ask, we would settle for profile and pocket machining. My background is experience with CNC machining using xyz machines and delcam powermill and edge cam, as well as manual g code input many moons ago on a bridgeport series 1 boss5.
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Re: 3d machining

Postby ger21 » Wed May 01, 2019 1:38 pm

You need CAM software to import your models and create toolpaths. You then export g-code from the CAM program, and load the g-code into UCCNC.

Check out Fusion 360 for low priced CAM.
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Re: 3d machining

Postby cncdrive » Wed May 01, 2019 3:08 pm

What do you mean a software that can deal with 3d files? The UCCNC can deal with 3d files just like how mach3 can if not better. :)
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Re: 3d machining

Postby danando » Wed May 01, 2019 3:40 pm

ger21 wrote:You need CAM software to import your models and create toolpaths. You then export g-code from the CAM program, and load the g-code into UCCNC.

Check out Fusion 360 for low priced CAM.


Thanks ger21, I'll look up fusion 360.
I've noticed that the current version of UCCNC that we have has a very basic built in machining program, as in it will do specified cutter stepover and cutting depths. Does a later version have more options? also can you import step files into a later version?
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Re: 3d machining

Postby danando » Wed May 01, 2019 3:43 pm

cncdrive wrote:What do you mean a software that can deal with 3d files? The UCCNC can deal with 3d files just like how mach3 can if not better. :)



I cannot find a way on the current version that will deal with 3d files, I only seem able to load dxf files. Do later versions of UCCNC have more options?
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Re: 3d machining

Postby cncdrive » Wed May 01, 2019 3:45 pm

dxf files? You mean g-code files? UCCNC understands the same code as what mach3 can...
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Re: 3d machining

Postby Vmax549 » Wed May 01, 2019 3:53 pm

I think he is referring to UCCNC CAM only importing DXF files.

(;-) TP
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Re: 3d machining

Postby danando » Wed May 01, 2019 3:58 pm

Vmax549 wrote:I think he is referring to UCCNC CAM only importing DXF files.

(;-) TP


Yes, that's correct
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Re: 3d machining

Postby cncdrive » Wed May 01, 2019 3:58 pm

OK, but he mentioning mach3 which can't even load any dxf files. So, mach3 has less options than the uccnc...
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Re: 3d machining

Postby cncdrive » Wed May 01, 2019 4:00 pm

And the UCCNC is generally not a CAM software, it is a machine control software. The best is to use a CAM software to produce the g-code just like you would do with mach3.
And then load the g-code file into the UCCNC just like how you would do with Mach3.
There are plenty of options available on the market, just to name some: Fusion360, Vectric aspire/cut2d/cut3d, SheetCAM and so on.
Fusion360 is even free if your business has less than 100 000 USD annual income or if you are a student.
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