Cutting Aluminum with 3d Software?

[JamesL27]

Well I got my Shopbot desktop a couple weeks ago. It's all set up and I've made a few successful cuts into wax and modeling board. But I want to take things to the next step and start milling some aluminum.

I've read through all the advice on milling aluminum (feeds, speeds, etc...) and I think I can handle that, but I'm having a little software issue. I want to do some 3d milling (all my files are .stl) but the 3d CAM software I've tried doesn't have any ramping options. I know most 2.5d programs that take .dxf and other drawing files support ramping. But my parts simply won't work as a drawing.

So does anyone here do any 3d work in aluminum? What program do you use? (I've been using meshCAM). Any other possible fixes like using a drill mill, or just careful g-code editing?

[scottp55]

James, Maybe somebody else will chime in to tell me why you can't do it, but you should have gotten Partworks3D with your Desktop(Congratulations by the way). You can open your .stl in there and then depth of pass can be adjusted by your tool database bit selection parameters. Didn't see ramping anywhere in selections and not settable in VCP7.5. Don't trust me though---Wait for the big boys Thought this might help if you don't already have it.

[JamesL27]

Yea I went through Partworks 3d a couple times, didn't see any ramping options. Not a fan of the program, I found MeshCAM easier to use than the seven step process. I guess it's just personal preference.

[scottp55]

Yeah, It's kind of clunky, but at least it's there and comes with all the machines which I appreciate. When it becomes too much of a pain we'll bite the bullet and go Aspire. Aspire Guys, I uninstalled Aspire demo---Can you ramp into 3D's?

[JamesL27]

So I asked over on the MeshCAM forums how they use it for milling aluminum. They just plunge in with a center cutting end mill. So I'm going to give that a try, I'll just ease up on the plunge rate.

[bob_dodd]

I have not tried this but , if you make your tool path partworks 3D and then import it into Vcarve pro , there is a option for ramp in the tool path section .

you could also read about ramping search " Brady Watson & ramping "on the Shopbot web site .


this is within the Shopbot software type VR