Question Estlcam 8 UCCNC preset

Hi,

is anybody here using Estlcam 8 and UCCNC?
I've recently added an UCCNC post processor preset - but since I don't have UCCNC there is no way for me to verify if everything works as expected.

It would also be interesting to hear from someone using imperial instead of metric units.


Thank you!

Christian (Programmer of Estlcam)

Hi Cristian.
I would be interested to start using Estelcam ecause of it's rich and nice features.
I would even buy the licence for it straight away.

Do you know if I can make in Estelcam the toolpath and import this to the WinNC-PC software ?
IF not please tell me what way this could work ? Could Estlcam controll directly the Stepcraft 420 ?

Hello,

dxtinct wrote: Do you know if I can make in Estelcam the toolpath and import this to the WinNC-PC software ?

Yes - just select the WinPC-NC preset in Estlcams settings tab.

dxtinct wrote: Could Estlcam controll directly the Stepcraft 420 ?

It can - but you need an Arduino UNO and need to connect it to the Machines internal connector which is something I do not recommend for beginners (some guys in the German section already did it - it works very well but you need to be careful to connect everything correctly)

Christian

I could be a begginer in stepcraft, but for sure not a beginner in Arduinos, wiring modifiyng things .

It would be a pitty to strip down already the machine controller as it just has 1 week only .

I already bought the Estelcam Licence, hope you will provide a mail with serial code and activation link.

If possible can you post for us the link of the german guy that has implemented the arduino uno control ?


Thanks.

well first couple of 10 tryes

I did not manage to make it work....

Could you help me out with the attached dxf file to generate one din that could be observed by win PC-NC usb software?
I can't manage to do it...

Unfotunately the din I generate just opens as white when opened with this nighmare of a program WinPC-NC ((

Hello,

do you use the "Starter" version of WinPC-NC (default with new Stepcraft machines)?
The starter version does not support g-code - only HPGL files.

In this case please select the "WinPC-NC light" preset in Estlcam.

Christian

Was under the impression that I have not the Starter version.

Attached a picture of this WinPC-NC I have bought.

Should WinPC-NC show me the toolpath in the CNC work area ?
As when I import a din file created i see nothing, and then asking F3=Start milling in 3 second the job is over...

Hi,

have you tried other g-code files from someone else?
If they don't work, too you have the starter or light version of the program.

If they work please write again and maybe attach the working file. I'll then have a look and make changes to the preset if necessary (but I can't imagine it being wrong because Estlcam + WinPC-NC is a frequently used combination and I got no complaints so far)

Christian

Hi Christian.

just discovered that sometimes it does work.. but most of the times could not get winpc-nc to see my files...
As an example i attach 5 files..

File claudiu4 can eb opened an the rest can't be opene by winpc-nc. They aremade alsmost identical in the estlcam software using same profile, settings, options etc..

Hello,

the files that can't be opened all use tool number 7.
the file that is OK uses tool number 1.
Maybe there is a restriction about the number of tools or tool 7 is disabled or not defined in WinPC-NC.

Can you try again by just changing the tool number in Estlcams tool list to 1 for every tool?

Christian

Hi,

I've just manually changed the tool number to 1.
Do the attached files work now?











Christian

Yes !!!!Q
they all work now.

You have been right.. I just installed Estlcam and ahd already 6 tools so I was starting with tool 7.

Was very confused over why this was not working.. as expected. Now everything is good and simple for me !


Extraordinary nice software ESTLCAM !!! Highly recomanded to all out here , and in general in all CNC simple and medium complex operations..


ps. one side questions. Can ESTLCAM do 3d jobs ? I mean can we skulpt a skull in wood with estlcam ? Or this si only 2.5D and nor really 3d ? I ask this because my impresion is that this is the best 2.5D software, and have seen that using carvig an and V bit you can basically have also 3D features drawn quite well. Like the fire logo on the youtube you have posted.

Thanks once more !

Estl and 3d?
YEAH!

Hello,

dxtinct wrote: Can ESTLCAM do 3d jobs ?

yes - 3D is possible. You just need a STL instead of DXF file:




Christian

Thanks.
Will soon try it.. .
Very happy with this software package.. I still have to experiment a lot

Hi Christian.

Could we use the Estlcam software to generate g-code for laser cutting ?
I mean could we make Estlcam output M03 for an Laser On state, and as well M05 for an laser OFF state (when traveling between cuts ).

I use this software a lot and it's probably the best easy and nice solution to import SVG, dxf and many other types of files and save them as Gcode for the stecraft and other types of CNC's out there.


Maybe you have an idea to my questions as I really what to make an approach in the way the Relay signal could be used to command an on/off state for a 2.8W laser.

For the moment ON/OFF signal is ok.. for simple engraving...