i have been searching on the forum but cant find an answer. I have started assemblying my maslow 4, im hoping to finish assembling it and the frame by this weekend so i can start my first cut.
I am a CAD Designer by trade so use all sorts of 2D & 3D software aswell as CAM software but all the CAM software we use is specific to the machines we run.
I can easily design 2D in AutoCAD and 3D in Solidworks. My main question is once i have designed it how i then go about generating the gcode. i have used slicers for 3d printing in the past but surely maslow will need to run off something different than a slicer?
Im hoping to do some 3D routing, compund curves. so would like to get the 3D to GCode right from the offset.
I have only made a few cuts now, and haven’t attempted any 3d or compound curves. I usually use Sketchup for my CAD. For 2d, you can export as an SVG file then use CAM software (e.g., MakerCam) to define the toolpaths and create the GCode (for Sketchup, an extension is required to export in SVG). For 3d, I believe you can just export as an STL file, then use something like Easel for the toolpaths and GCode.
The M4 does have some limitations in cutting 3d, since the sled is resting on the workpiece itself rather than hovering over the piece on a gantry. You can probably work around these limitations but definitely not without effort.
i did look at them last night, im in the UK so bit of a time delay/difference.
another question i had is when it comes to the gcode and tooling, but i think it might be a case of trial and error.
do you have a basic set of bits thats worth buying? when i say basic i mean bare minimum or sizes and V cutters. i will mostle be using the Maslow to creat furniture for vans.
another question i had is when it comes to the gcode and tooling, but i think it might be a case of trial and error.
do you have a basic set of bits thats worth buying? when i say basic i mean bare minimum or sizes and V cutters. i will mostle be using the Maslow to creat furniture for vans.
The CAM software codes the actual GCode. You will define your toolpaths (i.e., types of cuts, depth of cuts, etc.) in the CAM and when that is all determined, there will be an option to generate and export the GCode. Then you can upload the GCode to the M4 dashboard and have the machine execute it.
Different CAM will have different features. I would recommend trying Easel out for 3d. I haven’t tested any cuts, but I’ve tested the interface, and it seems pretty straightforward and easy.
This got me thinking… what if there were modular/removable sled extensions, like 1ft or 2ft even so that much larger ‘3D’ objects can be engraved. I could imagine a desktop-sized topographical map, for example.
This got me thinking… what if there were modular/removable sled extensions,
like 1ft or 2ft even so that much larger ‘3D’ objects can be engraved. I could
imagine a desktop-sized topographical map, for example.
you could make a large wood sled and clamp the plastic one in it, just leave
room for the radius of the sled between the edge of the workpiece and the
anchor.
I have been punting around a similar idea in my head for a couple weeks now. If you have the means, please experiment with the idea and let us know the results!
For the topographical map, I believe I saw someone had cut something similar with a topo of Colorado or something like that. With the right preparation and setup, it definitely should be doable with the machine.
