APT360 will generate gcode for EMC2. It has a post processor for emc2. With a little study you can generate almost any 2 axis motion and 2 1/2 axis motion you could want. I think it will do 3D motion. I didn't try any 3 axis 3D machining. I created and ran some 5 axis motion using primitive surfaces (cones). It gave me the 5 axis motion is was expecting and the motion ran in EMC2 as expected. The output was full 5 axis simultaneous motion not just position and cut. VAPT was functional when I tried it about a year ago. I believe APT360 could generate the code necessary to cut the demo sphere on Chris's 5 axis max. The code would look very different than the code used to cut the sphere. The finish pass cutting the sphere was one line of code. APT360 output would be many many lines of code to do the same thing. Stuart
On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 2:35 PM, Dave Engvall <dengv...@charter.net> wrote: > > On Dec 11, 2008, at 12:22 PM, Stuart Stevenson wrote: > >> On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 1:55 PM, Dirk <bigengin...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> On Dec 11, 2008, at 8:10 PM, Chris Radek wrote: >>> >>>> On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 12:18:45PM -0600, Jon Elson wrote: >>>>> >>>>> GOOD point! You (Risto) might want to get in touch with Chris >>>>> Radek, >>>>> who has a desktop 5-axis mill at the 2008 CNC workshop. >>>>> He has some software that generates the toolpaths, but I didn't >>>>> inquire >>>>> how he was doing it. I should have. >>>> >>>> No I don't. The demo gcode was handwritten. John K wrote it. >>>> >>> >>> Did you try any generated code? >>> At work we are looking into buying a 5 axis mill. I never thought it >>> would be easy to operate such a machine, but it seems to get harder >>> every day I learn more about it. And we don't even have it yet. >>> I am also curious if Stuart's machine is using handwritten code or >>> that he is using some kind of cam software. If so, I am really >>> curious >>> how the postprocessor was made. http://www.youtube.com/watch? >>> v=35tHYaDUmZQ >>> >> the Gcode was generated by NCL - an APT style language and CAM system >> >>> I am using NX for design and engineering. Now that I have my 3axis >>> hobby machine I am trying to figure out how NX cam works. So far, I >>> understand it just a bit, I made a postprocessor for it and all seems >>> to work pretty good. But to me, the step from 3 to 5 axis is not just >>> 2 axis extra. Handwriting code for a 5 sided block might an option, >>> maybe even a pyramid. But I think it is already pretty hard to >>> chamfer >>> all edges of a pyramid for instance. So, you will need something to >>> generate toolpaths, even for parts that don't look very complicated. >>> So, for the 5 axis users, what cam software do you use? How did you >>> get a postprocessor? >>> >>> Dirk >>> >> if you are using NX by UniGraphics (UG) then you have a fully capable >> 5 axis CAM system (almost as powerful as NCL) :) >> learning NX without training will take some time >> training can get you up to speed much faster >> training will expose you to all the tools >> I have no direct experience with the post generator in NX - it is said >> to be very flexible and powerful >> >> > Emc usesr interested in APT should check the wiki. Search for apt and > vapt. > The defining manual is: "Numerical Control Programming in APT" by > I.H. Kral > The book is long OP but a search of Amazon will turn up copies. > HTH > > Dave > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > SF.Net email is Sponsored by MIX09, March 18-20, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. > The future of the web can't happen without you. Join us at MIX09 to help > pave the way to the Next Web now. Learn more and register at > http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;208669438;13503038;i?http://2009.visitmix.com/ > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SF.Net email is Sponsored by MIX09, March 18-20, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The future of the web can't happen without you. Join us at MIX09 to help pave the way to the Next Web now. Learn more and register at http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;208669438;13503038;i?http://2009.visitmix.com/ _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
