Reprap Solidworks HSMexpress

Hello,

I have come across a Free Solidworks Cam addin in, that allows CAM be done inside Solidworks ( [www.hsmworks.com] ) I asked them it there was a post for a reprap, and they said no, but would be happy to write one for it.

They sent me a preliminary post, that needs to be modified for a reprap to be assigned as a machine inside Solidworks / HMSworks. I am nowhere near experienced enough at cam or g-code or Arduino to take it on, but I do think that it would be a really handy thing to have.

Could I get some feedback, and if there are any experts at cam and Arduino that can take this on?

Would be happy to attach the file, and comments made.

can you post the file, am mighty interested...
fighting with hsm just now

I like it!

This is the note they sent with the file, and the file is attached.

Hi,

Here is the preliminary RepRap post to get you started testing.

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Please test carefully. You need to add notes in the output NC code specifying what needs to be different and then send it back here so we can customize the post accordingly.

1. Lines with G28 likely need to be different.
2. There are a lot of M-codes defined for RepRap but I dont know which are relevant in your case.
3. Any other issues.

********************************

I would really like to know how you go with it, so please let us know how you go.

Alayax

well, the machine moved, ran z up an down a few times, x in the - direction the threw me a bunch more error codes..... progress!

progress.
if you say no to tool generation and prefix all movement commands with G1 things go alot smoother, its 5am though, so it was a dry run

got this working i think. let me know if anyone else trying this needs a hand

Hi

I'm trying to achieve a similar outcome using a reprap to both 3D print and CNC mill. I found your post over on the HSMworks forum about using HSMExpress to generate tools paths which can be used by a RepRap CNC.

I downloaded the reprap.csm file and ran through the post process, process but ran into some problems. I'm made a post over at the HSMworks forum on your original topic but was wondering how you faired.

The machine I'm using is a combination 3D printer / CNC mill and is controlled by RAMPS 1.4 hardware with Marlin v1 3D printer firmware installed. The Pronterface 3D printer controller software is used to talk with the printer and send g-code to it for completion by the RAMPS board.

Any help you could offer would be most appreciated.