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Toolpath capabilities of QCADCAM ?

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 2:28 pm
by Clive
I am investing in a CNC router to compliment existing laser cutters at work. My question is reasonably basic albeit an important one for me because I need to determine whether QCADCAM would be the tool of choice to use for creating the following tool paths mostly from wood stock, boards and solid section in 2D:

Profile tool path
Pocket tool path
Drilling tool path
Engraving tool path
V carve tool path
Fluting tool path
Texturing tool path
Inlay tool path

I would very much hope to use QCADCAM for these functions rather than have to use another program!

QCADCAM would also need to export to an stl format - is this possible?

Re: Toolpath capabilities of QCADCAM ?

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:01 pm
by andrew
Non of this functionality is provided by QCAD/CAM out of the box.

The idea behind QCAD/CAM is to provide a universal scriptable framework which can create any type of output based on CAD data.

In other words, while all the things on your feature list would be achievable with QCAD/CAM, non of it is implemented and readily available. The configurations currently provided with QCAD/CAM generate basic G-Code output only (lines and arcs that represent the geometry of all the entities in the drawing).

Re: Toolpath capabilities of QCADCAM ?

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:44 pm
by Clive
Andrew,
Thanks very much for your reply, its no problem whatsoever it was just an enquiry that's all. I shall need QCAD for all my drafting work :wink: and just use the 'other' program to process it for now.

As a side note, it would be fantastic if time permits, that you could develop the functions that I listed - what an excellent CAM 'add-on' this would make and I for one would be the first in the queue to buy it 8)

Re: Toolpath capabilities of QCADCAM ?

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:49 pm
by andrew
Clive wrote:As a side note, it would be fantastic if time permits, that you could develop the functions that I listed - what an excellent CAM 'add-on' this would make and I for one would be the first in the queue to buy it 8)
Yes, that would be great :) However, you've posted several months of work, so this is unlikely to happen anytime soon..

Re: Toolpath capabilities of QCADCAM ?

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 4:00 pm
by Clive
andrew wrote:Yes, that would be great :) However, you've posted several months of work, so this is unlikely to happen anytime soon..
Well, you've got some holiday time to take haven't you :lol: :lol: :lol:

No seriously, maybe be just chip away at it now and again - just think of the future users that will use it :wink: