Nov 5, 2011 - Downloaded a copy of Meshcam today because I'm sort of looking around for a new CAM package. Will Meshcam work on a CNC lathe?

You have a simple goal, to take a CAD file and get your mill to cut it. You don’t want to become an expert on CAM software, you want parts today. MeshCAM is made for people who just want to make parts now. Here’s the MeshCAM process: • Load a file from almost any CAD program • Build an efficient toolpath with minimal input • Save gcode that works on your CNC machine Don’t let the simplicity fool you, MeshCAM has lots of flexibility and options for advanced machining. MeshCAM works with your CAD MeshCAM works with almost every 3D CAD program by opening the two most common 3D file formats, STL and DXF.

If you just want to make 2D parts without using a 3D CAD program, you can load 2D DXF files (in R12 format) and extrude them to a 3D part. We’ve got lots of users of: • Solidworks • Autodesk Inventor • OnShape • Rhino 3D • SketchUp • Viacad • Autocad • Freecad • OpenSCAD • Tinkercad • Alibre • Blender • ZBrush • And many many more.

If your CAD file can generate an STL file, it’ll work. No CAD- No Problem Sometimes you need a part that cannot be designed with a traditional CAD program.

Sometimes you don’t even have a CAD program. If this sounds like you, don’t worry. You can open any image file (JPG, BMP, or PNG) in MeshCAM and the image will be converted to a 3D surface that can be machined directly. Users have come up with incredible uses for this feature to make parts that would be almost impossible with a traditional CAD program. Works with your CNC machine MeshCAM has a built-in post processor to transform the gcode to work with your machine. It supports lots of machine types as-is and it can be extended to support most other If your CNC machine takes normal gcode then it will work with MeshCAM.

The post processor format is fully documented in the help file so you can make changes if you find the need. Here’s a partial list of included post processors: • Mach 2/3/4 • Linux CNC • Fanuc Compatible • Haas • Shopbot • GRBL • Roland If you find problems with the built-in post processors then email us, we’d be happy to see if you can make modification for you for free. No machining knowledge required The worst part of any new CNC software is being confronted by a wall of settings to create a toolpath. Stepover, stepdown, waterline, threshold angles Do you want to learn a whole new language just to get your first toolpath? MeshCAM has an Automatic Toolpath Wizard that picks as many of those values as possible so that you don’t have to.

You just pick the cutters, tell MeshCAM the desired quality level, and it will analyze the model to pick values to get you started. You can tweak them to make them better or use them as-is. If you already know what you’re doing then don’t worry- you still have complete control over all of your toolpath settings. Machine almost anything Every part requires a slightly different approach to machine it efficiently.

If your CAM software doesn’t give you enough toolpath strategies then you’ll spend more time to machine your part or you’ll give up finish quality. This is not something you have to worry about with MeshCAM. Star wars the force unleashed pc torrent skidrow. MeshCAM has more toolpath options than any competing CAM program. • Parallel Roughing (planar and 3D) • Contour Offset Roughing (Planar and 3D) • Parallel Finishing ( X or Y direction) • Waterline Finishing • Pencil Finishing This combination of toolpaths will machine almost any part you can imagine. Eliminate complicated fixtures.