11/9/2022 0 Comments Import a picture alphacam![]()
We are always glad to spend some one on one time on the phone with other woodworkers and let you know the advantages of Alibre. IMPORT A PICTURE ALPHACAM PROFESSIONALFor now, we recommend Alibre Professional (with Configurations) and one of the CAM programs with an ATP or Nesting module (MasterCAM, AlphaCAM, EnRoute. ![]() Vectric has been discussing their next release which will contain nesting, and we hope that will bring nesting into the affordable market. We have also created standard cabinet models where we can now create cabinets with nearly the efficiency of the expensive cabinet programs. But for custom design furniture and cabinets, Alibre can prove to be more efficient. For stock cabinets the expensive cabinet programs are more efficient. Granted your $15,000 cabinet program will automatically create your layered graphics, but then again Alibre will allow you more design freedom to create whatever you can conceive. IMPORT A PICTURE ALPHACAM CODEEven one off output is often faster to layer the graphics than to code it in your CAM program. If you output a raw DXF, you need to re-toolpath the graphics in your CAM program. Change the size of the model, and you can output a new DXF with all the layered graphics in their new location. We do this extra work in Alibre as the layered graphics will adjust with changes in the model. Holes we generally just move the graphics to a layer as they do not share lines. We create layered DXF files where we often overlay linework over the existing graphics (as you can only move a line to one layer). ![]() V11 of Alibre provides excellent DXF output, of where you can simply move the linework to a layer, or overlay toolpath linework with new graphics, and constrain it to the existing graphics. We evaluated quite a few CAM programs and bought MasterCAM because of the output graphics (EnRoute was our second choice). We are mostly familiar with MasterCAM, but other programs should support the same operations if setup properly. We are able to do Outline routing, centerline routing, peck drilling cycles, hole drilling, and any other operation supported by the CNC software. The holes you have defined in the picture just need to be on a separate layer (or select and code them separately). We do hole drilling all the time with our CNC coding. You can contact us via email via the forum or our website if you have specific questions. I will be glad to answer any questions about the process and our procedures. We started with Alibre Professional, and now own Expert, as the Configurations capability is well worth the extra money when doing woodworking modeling. IMPORT A PICTURE ALPHACAM SOFTWAREMost people with a CNC machine have some sort of nesting software, so we do not do much nesting with our MasterCAM software (which cost us about $3500 with maintenance). Or, manually nest by creating an assembly, and then the drawing of the nesting, and finally output the DXF of the nested assembly for coding in your CNC program of choice. IMPORT A PICTURE ALPHACAM FULL SIZEBut, it is mostly just creating a full size drawing of each part, Export the DXF file, and then nest with your software. ![]() We have also automated the process with AutoHotKey scripts to make everything go more smoothly. IMPORT A PICTURE ALPHACAM HOW TOThe nesting routine will take the Layered DXF files and automatically nest them for cutting your flat sheet parts.Īs with most things, it is not complicated once you learn how to do it, but can seem very much so while you are learning. ![]() We use the KCDw import format with MasterCAM and EnRoute. Currently you can purchase a nesting software with an ATP or automated nesting module. What has been missing was a CNC program for nesting that was affordable, which should hopefully be answered with the next release of Vectric software. Once you get the hang of CNC work, you can create your designs with Blind Dados and other CNC related joinery for more efficient furniture construction. A nesting Assembly file is just an organization of parts in a Sheet format (of which we generally make if 4'x8') and then create a full scale drawing that is also 4'x8' in dimension. You can nest all your parts in another nesting assembly file, or you can create a Drawing of each part and output a 2D Layered DXF file from the drawing of each part and then nest the resulting DXF files with an external CNC program. Your entire piece of furniture is an assembly of parts, or sub-assemblies of parts, to create the entire piece of furniture. You create the furniture by creating an assembly of your parts. You create each part of your furniture as a separate part file (or Configuration in a Part file). ![]()
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