Checking a shopbot file

[Chuck Keysor]

Background: I have a full seat of Mastercam including their solids modeling and ART. I have a PRT alpha I have been reassembling. As it is close to running, I have contacted my Mastercam reseller and told him I will soon need to have him come and install the Mastercam Drivers into the PC that runs my Shopbot. (They told me several times that is how they do this.)

I emailed my reseller the other day asking specifically what he needed from me. Here is his complete reply: "Chuck, if you could send me the sample program Shotbot gave you. Also if the machine has a controller the make/model of that. Then we can get a post processor setup for Mastercam so it outputs code can be read by the Shopbot. Other than that, we are good to go on our end."

Questions:
1) My Shopbot only came with ONE actual cut file. That is the file to carve a plaque that says Chuck Keysor Fine Woodworking. (There were NO other cut files in the PC that came with my SB.) That plaque was cut as I watched, to prove the machine worked before I opened my wallet.

Since this is a very important file to Mastercam, and since my machine isn't quite running where I can prove this file is not corrupt in some way, can I email my cutfile to someone to check it and make sure it is good? (Or am I crazy?) My email address is: Chuck.keysor@sbcglobal.net

2) As to the controller make/model, would this be for the Shopbot PRT alpha big silver box and the VFD that runs the spindle? Or, should I just wait and ask the Mastercam salesman?

3) Does anyone else run Mastercam on a Shopbot? Did you have to do these things to get it so Mastercam would run on your machine?

Thanks, Chuck

[myxpykalix]

Chuck,
I could be wrong since i know nothing about mastercam but isn't mastercam just a file creation program? It should have nothing to do with making the shopbot run or not run.

I think what you need is a "post processor" for the resulting output cut file from mastercam for the drop down menu in mastercam showing something like "shopbot.arcs.inches" or something like that.

A quick call to shopbot and they can get you straight.

[bleeth]

"Post processor" is the phrase used below by the Mastercam rep. I think Chuck is aware of what he needs. Post processors are generally developed by the Software company and not the hardware manufacturer.

How's the rotater comin Jack?

[zeykr]

Chuck,
They just need to make a postprocessor for the shopbot. Probably already have one. The postprocessor instructs the design software on what format to output the toolpath for your type of machine. It does not have to be on the shopbot controller pc, many of us design on one machine, output a toolpath (controlled by postprocessor) and then move the resulting file to our shopbot controller pc.

Give mastercam this link: http://www.opensbp.com/
It has a list of shopbot commands, and Mastercam is listed as a participant on this page already.

[carl_vallance]

I've run Mastercam for years. Mill, Lathe & Router.
All it needs is a postprocessor to output code for the Shopbot. Their is one already written that you can download here:
http://www.mastercam.com/TeachersStudents/EducationalDownloads/Posts/Default.aspx
Look under your version of Mastercam and then under Shopbot to find the right post. Mastercam does not run your Shopbot it only provides code for it.
I have not used this post but it should work fine. I write my own posts as I usually have special needs. If I can be of any help let me know. Also I would be willing to share my post with you. I'll need to know what version and revision of Mastercam you have.

[myxpykalix]

dave,
i just need to go make the appointment and get it over with. I needed to get some leases finalized and apts rented before i go in probably in the next week or so.

[bleeth]

Get her done guy-the quicker in the quicker back to norm.
Nice info Carl. Most of the guys around here are using Vectric or Artcam. Not too many Mastercam masters.

[Chuck Keysor]

Thanks everyone for your valuable input. I talked to Frank at Shopbot this afternoon, and he fixed my various issues, (which I will add to my appropriate posts for completeness). This allowed me to verify that my sample cut file is good, and I can confidently submit it to my Mastercam reseller.

Frank did say that there aren't many Shopbot Mastercam users, and it seems as though the matter is rather unique to each reseller. But he said they seem to always ask for an actual Shopbot cut file.

Special thanks to Ken and Carl. I will pass on this info to my Mastercam reseller, and that should facilitate if not eliminate his work.

Carl, I am on maintenance with Mastercam, so I have the newest version, which I think is XVI. I'm not sure, as I haven't installed it. When I first bought my license, it was right before they came out with version X, so I have been sitting on this for a LONG time and have not used it yet, even though I have been paying every year to keep it up. I got the Mastercam thinking I would get a CNC router within a year. Instead, it turned out to be 7 or 8 years.

Carl, if we can chat some off-line, you could help me understand what I have with my Mastercam. I haven't found anyone before you who has a Shopbot and Mastercam. My email address is: Chuck.keysor@sbcglobal.net.

Thanks again everyone, Chuck