A more substantial tutorial might eventually surface here!
General workflow overview:
- CAD - draw your part as a 3D object
- CAM - convert this part into g-code for the machine (this is mainly the tricky part)
- CNC - Machine part, rejoice and become the supreme ruler!
This youtube video gives a good overview of the steps involved in the process, he is however working with another machine than we have. But the principles are the same!
Software choices:
CAD:
- Siemens NX - high end, windows, possible on mac
- Solidworks - high end,
- Fusion 360 - fully featured, free
- Onshape - fully featured, free, browser based, platform independent
- FreeCAD
- TinkerCAD
- OpenSCAD
- .
- .
- the list goes on. As long as you end up with a .stl file of your 3D object, you're fine!
CAM:
- SRP Player - came with the Roland, simple but can get the job done. Hard to customize, fairly easy to get going.
- NX CAM - integrated CAM solution in Siemens NX, requires more super user skills. Much customization and control
- Kiri:Moto (Onshape plugin) - Free! Plugin for Onshape. Roughing, finishing and drilling operations available as well as some other customization options
- .
- .
CNC:
- VPanel - is the computer software used to communicate with the Roland MDX 540 milling machine we have