4 Axis software

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4 Axis software

This topic has 7 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 25 June 2015 at 17:10 by Bowber.

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25 June 2015 at 09:04 #194824
richardandtracy
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@richardandtracy
I know this question has been asked in the past and I found an archived JS answer from 2009 on another forum, but things are changing fairly fast in the software world, making 6 year old answers potentially obsolete, and I was wondering…

Does anyone know of any cheap (sub £100) or preferably 'Free' software that will generate g-code toolpaths for X,Z, A or X,Y,Z, A carving from an STL file – in effect to the subtractive converse of a 3D printer?

I have looked around various fora (forums?) and come to the conclusion that CamBam won't really do it without a load of faff (seems to be on several people's wishlist without the makers of CamBam making any commitments), there do not seem to be many commercial programs that will do it, and none that I can find that are free. There is a bit of software that may do it in a year or two or three – FreeCAM with a plugin (MultiAxisCAM) written by Marcus Wolschon, but as FreeCAM isn't mature enough, Marcus isn't going beyond a proof of concept program at the moment. I have heard of Dolphin CAM, and that they give a discount for hobbyists, but it would have to be an enormous (and unlikely) discount from their current $495 to come into the sub £100 category.

Does anyone know different?

I ask as a last attempt to stave off the 'DIY' approach. I have a 3D modeller I have written that can import STL files and I've added the ability to draw in toolpaths directly, but tracing a surface is orders of magnitude more difficult, and I would much prefer not to write a program if I can avoid it. I think I can get my head around the problem, but it really is NOT easy.

Regards,

Richard.
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25 June 2015 at 09:04 #15076
richardandtracy
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@richardandtracy
25 June 2015 at 10:20 #194840
David Jupp
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@davidjupp51506
If indexed 4th axis is adequate – MeshCAM might be worth a look. I haven't used it myself, but have seen positive comments regarding ease of use. It isn't free, but is inexpensive compared to much CAM software.
25 June 2015 at 10:54 #194847
richardandtracy
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@richardandtracy
I would be reluctant to do that, as it shouldn't be necessary. This is the sort of idea (single head not the 4 heads shown) : **LINK**

Don't necessarily want to do it with wood, once you have the functionality, it can be done with anything.

Regards,

Richard

Edited By richardandtracy on 25/06/2015 11:08:53
25 June 2015 at 11:34 #194850
John Stevenson 1
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@johnstevenson1
Richard,

Take a look at this.

**LINK**
25 June 2015 at 12:02 #194855
richardandtracy
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@richardandtracy
Hmm

Thanks John. No idea how the searches I did missed that. I shall give GMAX and the tools a try. May be a fairly long learning curve.

Regards,

Richard.
25 June 2015 at 15:20 #194882
richardandtracy
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@richardandtracy
That would appear to do it. I shall have to figure out:
1. How to use the package
2. What is happening to the big models I'm using. The models I am using are .obj or .stl files. My modeller is the only translator I have that will go from .obj to .dxf. It can import .stl and can export .dxf 3DFace entities. With small models (6 faces), they go through to gmax OK, but the bigger files seem to be a problem.
3. How to use the CNC stuff.
Otherwise OK. Very OK. Thanks John.

Regards

Richard
25 June 2015 at 17:10 #194893
Bowber
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@bowber
I've got Meshcam and while it can do 4th Axis it does it in sections, so you can split the job into 2+ sides and then set the final cut depth to suit your needs.

It's quite easy to use and there is a trial version and active forum for questions.

Steve
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