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Topic starter
hi
just finished building my stepcraft 600 and very disappointed with the WinPC NC Starter software
did someone manage to do anything with WinPC NC Starter software other then the PLT sample files
it there a free software to make PLT files from DXF for WinPC NC Starter
what is the defult diameter of the end mill (cant be changed in the software)
thanks
Posted : 21/09/2016 9:14 pm
Win PC NC is a controller for a CNC and originally NCs only create the signals to drive the stepper motors. The tool diameter is taken care of in the CAM software.
The software stack is
CAD -> CAM -> NC
Nowadays you can find software which combines CAD & CAM or CAM & NC.
Important is to find the software which exports/imports files that the next/previous stage can read/write and matches your needs. If you want to produce PCBs your CAD would for example be Eagle or KiCAD ... If you do carving it might be Vcarve ... 2.5D parts can be designed with QCAD ...
EstlCAM is used by most of the german forum users. CAMBAM is another one, but I can't tell wheather it can produce plt-files ....
Plt's can also be produced by drawing software but doing the tool-correction manually is bad practice. But for engravings you don't need tool-correction.
SC 420 mit DIY parallel + Proxxon mit Mod + HF500 + SprintLayout + LibreCAD/QCAD + FreeCAD +WinPC starter/USB->EstlCAM + EstlCAM LPTAdapter + EstlCAM Handrad + DIY Vakuumtisch
Gruß, Andreas
Posted : 22/09/2016 9:34 pm
Topic starter
thank you for your reply
i created DXF files in solid works (sign plate with some text)
in the winpc nc it shows it should be able to open the file
the file is opened with some mistakes missing letters and parts of letters
the dxf dosent have info about tool
also the plt file dosent contain Gcode
as far as i now the signal for stepper motor should be Gcode
can you suggest free software cad -> cam -> to win pc nc starter
thanks
Posted : 22/09/2016 11:08 pm
... the file is opened with some mistakes missing letters and parts of letters
Did you explode the text before saving as a dxf?
It's not only about tools it's also about skills! 😉
Posted : 22/09/2016 11:14 pm
WinPC NC Starter can't handle g-code. You need to upgrade to the full version for that. .. or buy another NC software ... or build an arduino shield and use EstlCAM ...
Worldhhusky already told you how to solve the other problem with missing parts. For explaination .. this is because some programs can't handle all elements created by other programs -
for example arcs or curves. You have to convert those into short lines.
Some programs can be configured to directly create lines.
SC 420 mit DIY parallel + Proxxon mit Mod + HF500 + SprintLayout + LibreCAD/QCAD + FreeCAD +WinPC starter/USB->EstlCAM + EstlCAM LPTAdapter + EstlCAM Handrad + DIY Vakuumtisch
Gruß, Andreas
Posted : 23/09/2016 9:35 pm
Topic starter
hi
thanks for the info
i dont know what you mean by exploding the text
i found the following link from solidworks help
http://help.solidworks.com/2013/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/t_Dissolving_Sketch_Text_into_Separate_Sketch_Entities.htm
is this the issue
thank you
Posted : 24/09/2016 9:18 am
