Solidworks to Smithy

[dingpud]

I have a Smithy Mill/Lathe Combo and Flashcut...however can't get my files from solidworks to the Mill. Does anyone have any suggestions? I was thinking about getting a program like Mastercam, but wasn't sure if it was forth the $3K ish that it costs. Are there any alternatives that anyone knows of? Any suggested retailers?

Thanks.

[macona]

$3k for mastercam? They make a version that cheap.

There are a lot of other CAM packages out there. Cheap stuff like Bobcad on up. I am just not sure what will take a solidworks file.

[dingpud]

Mach3 is the current front runner....

[John Stevenson]

Mach 3 is a controller like Flashcut, not a CAM package

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[dingpud]

yep, figured that one out... I have Flashcut...and am not too impressed with it.

Any thoughts on what I can use to get something that is drawn in Solidworks to Flashcut? Apparently I need something to convert to a .dxf in order to get Flashcut to read it properly. Not too concerned with 3d stuff. Want to start out with the 2d pieces and work towards the 3rd axis. Plus one of the axis controls on the Flashcut box is making a weird hummm when we try and control it....

[John Stevenson]

Get a 2D drawing from Solidworks and save it as a DXF, it's part of the Solidworks program.
Flashcut can then load this and convert it.

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[dingpud]

yep, that's the plan.

Now when I plan on attempting some 3D stuff, is there a way to get it into flashcut directly from Solidworks?

The first thing would be a plate with a hole pattern drilled out..

Thanks

[macona]

3D is going to require a full blown cam package. A DXF to gcode converter is not going to do it. You might be able to get away with something cheap like cam-bam. You can get bobcad for under 300 if you try. It goes up from there.

[John Stevenson]

yep, that's the plan.

Now when I plan on attempting some 3D stuff, is there a way to get it into flashcut directly from Solidworks?

The first thing would be a plate with a hole pattern drilled out..

Thanks

Sorry am I missing something ?
A plate with a hole pattern drilled out sounds like 2D which solidworks is able to do ?

.

[dingpud]

No, you've got it right. The hole pattern is going to be the 2D starting point.

Thanks all...

Talked with the Flashcut people and the recommend visualmill which I think is the same as MechSoft... Will try that eventually. I'll try and post my trials and tibulations as much of this is completely new to me.