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    Reprap firmware with cnc... what free cam software?

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    • breedundefined
      breed @oliof
      last edited by

      @oliof thanks I'll check it out.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • jumpedwithbothfeetundefined
        jumpedwithbothfeet @oliof
        last edited by

        @oliof on the off chance do you know a free/cheap 5 axis cam?

        6HC Voron Trident based, 6XD CNC, Mini 5 polar printer

        oliofundefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • oliofundefined
          oliof @jumpedwithbothfeet
          last edited by

          @jumpedwithbothfeet FreeCAD has a cam workbench, but I don't know whether it's 5 axis

          <>RatRig V-Minion Fly Super5Pro RRF<> V-Core 3.1 IDEX k*****r <> RatRig V-Minion SKR 2 Marlin<>

          jumpedwithbothfeetundefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • o_lampeundefined
            o_lampe @breed
            last edited by

            @breed I tried Fusion360, which is available as trial version. Just have to extend the trial period every 12 month.
            I never tried the CAM part of it for real. Not sure which 'dialect' to choose from the endless list in F360? Also not sure, if the free version supports 5 axis...

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            • jumpedwithbothfeetundefined
              jumpedwithbothfeet @oliof
              last edited by jumpedwithbothfeet

              @oliof thanks I have freecad but I'm still learning, I did find this thread though so maybe there is hope!

              https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=50276

              @breed apologies If I have interrupted your original post 🙂

              6HC Voron Trident based, 6XD CNC, Mini 5 polar printer

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              • oliofundefined
                oliof
                last edited by

                Autodesk keeps removing features from the "hobbyist" free version, and just recently even announced they'll remove local simulation (a paid feature) and will in the future only offer cloud based simulation which they charge extra for. It's not even free as in beer, it's more like free as in "the first hit is free, but eventually you'll pay".

                <>RatRig V-Minion Fly Super5Pro RRF<> V-Core 3.1 IDEX k*****r <> RatRig V-Minion SKR 2 Marlin<>

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                • Nightowlundefined
                  Nightowl
                  last edited by Nightowl

                  I'm not really sure "free" software is the way forward.

                  As a retired pensioner, every £1 I spend has to be justified, but I went down the Vectric Cut2D Desktop route. It provides everything I need for the time being (I will be upgrading to VCarve soon) and is good to learn Vectrics ways before upgrading. Also, they offer "price difference" upgrades, so you don't lose your initial investment.

                  I did try Fusion360, but it was far too complicated for this old brain!

                  Few things are more dangerous than taking the advice of someone who thinks he knows what he's doing.
                  I'm still on my learning curve, so take everything I say with caution!

                  RatRig 1075, Duet3 MB6HC, Sorotec SFM 1000 PV-ER milling motor, Hobbyist

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                  • 3DPMicroundefined
                    3DPMicro
                    last edited by

                    @jumpedwithbothfeet working in an industry that utilizes 5+ axis systems I have a strong feeling the big boys (Desault, PTC, Mastercam, etc) would probably never stand for a cheap/free, "reliable", simultaneous 5 axis system (think aquisition). It takes many 10's of Engineers to create and maintain such a system. However Bobcad/cam, Fushion and several others may negotiate down to a couple months salary. Most all require a yearly maintenance fee.
                    I have done a ton of 3+2 with a 3 axis system though. It just requires work offsets and visualization.

                    Duet controlled Jet Lathe, scratch built micro mill and 3d printer. 1992 Haas VF2 VMC retrofit

                    jumpedwithbothfeetundefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • JoergS5undefined
                      JoergS5
                      last edited by

                      I recently detected DeskProto multiaxis, seems to be interesting for CNC: https://www.deskproto.com/products/multiax-ed.php For noncommercial/scholar it is about 250 EUR.

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                      • JuKuundefined
                        JuKu
                        last edited by

                        https://m.all3dp.com/2/best-free-cam-software/

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                        • jumpedwithbothfeetundefined
                          jumpedwithbothfeet @3DPMicro
                          last edited by

                          @3dpmicro I don't mind paying a price as I understand a lot of work goes into designing the software, what I do have is a distaste for is monthly/yearly subscriptions which I personally couldn't justify investing in, I`m sure given time there will be more options as I'm sure there is a growing demand/interest in 5 axis cams/slicers for hobbyists, till then like you say, 3+2 works with a little work 🙂

                          6HC Voron Trident based, 6XD CNC, Mini 5 polar printer

                          Nightowlundefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • Nightowlundefined
                            Nightowl @jumpedwithbothfeet
                            last edited by

                            @jumpedwithbothfeet
                            So, assuming Vectric (Cut2D, VCarve or Aspire) would meet your needs, their licence is for life, but any upgrades after the first 12 months would need to be paid for - and that's only really assuming they've added a feature you decide you need.

                            They support older versions too, as far as I understand it.

                            Few things are more dangerous than taking the advice of someone who thinks he knows what he's doing.
                            I'm still on my learning curve, so take everything I say with caution!

                            RatRig 1075, Duet3 MB6HC, Sorotec SFM 1000 PV-ER milling motor, Hobbyist

                            jumpedwithbothfeetundefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • jumpedwithbothfeetundefined
                              jumpedwithbothfeet @Nightowl
                              last edited by

                              @nightowl thanks for the lead I`ll do a little more research into it, Vcarve certainly looks worth looking into, aspire on the other hand is a bit out of my price range!

                              6HC Voron Trident based, 6XD CNC, Mini 5 polar printer

                              Nightowlundefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • Nightowlundefined
                                Nightowl @jumpedwithbothfeet
                                last edited by

                                @jumpedwithbothfeet said in Reprap firmware with cnc... what free cam software?:

                                aspire on the other hand is a bit out of my price range!

                                Mine too!

                                Few things are more dangerous than taking the advice of someone who thinks he knows what he's doing.
                                I'm still on my learning curve, so take everything I say with caution!

                                RatRig 1075, Duet3 MB6HC, Sorotec SFM 1000 PV-ER milling motor, Hobbyist

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                                • JoergS5undefined
                                  JoergS5
                                  last edited by JoergS5

                                  You should really consider DeskProto as well. I've installed the test version now, the 5 axis mode has many options and the program is fast (fast viewer, fast G-code creation). Supported 3D formats seem to be dxf, stl, wrl and vrml, I've used stl.

                                  I've used the 4 MB stl goose from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5438583/files as test.

                                  breedundefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • breedundefined
                                    breed @JoergS5
                                    last edited by

                                    @joergs5 over a grand for a cam software that isn't mastercam, desault is crazy. I'll write the gcode from scratch before that.

                                    JoergS5undefined 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • JoergS5undefined
                                      JoergS5 @breed
                                      last edited by JoergS5

                                      @breed it's 250 EUR for noncommercial usage.

                                      Mastercam is interesting.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • cjmundefined
                                        cjm @breed
                                        last edited by cjm

                                        @breed I find CAMBAM works well for me:

                                        https://cambamcnc.com

                                        There’s a decent free evaluation period. If you are only doing small jobs (<1000 lines of gcode) I believe you can continue to use it for free. If you find it suits your needs then it’s not too expensive (£93 one off charge).

                                        I’ve found the documentation clear and the forum helpful.

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