Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Machining

Introduction

BobCAD-CAM comes with the ability to generate toolpath and code for laser, plasma, and waterjet machines.

Navigation

To access these machine types, you create a machine as explained in the Machine Configuration help topic. You can also select a BC machine (that is installed with the software) and if necessary, modify the definition to match your machine.

 

After creating a machine, you can access these machines in one of the following two ways.

Default Machine Selection

To set a machine as the default machine for each new file that is created:

1      In the CAMTabIconBBCD.png CAM Tree, right-click CAMPartIconFolder.png CAM Defaults, and click Current Settings.

 

2      In the Machine Parameters page, select the machine Make and click Set As Default.

 

This is now the default machine for all new files that are created after making these changes.

Machine Selection for the Current Job

When creating the job:

1      Right-click CAMPartIconFolder.png CAM Defaults, and click New Job. You can also click New CAM Job in the Modules menu.

 

2      In the Machining Job dialog box, under Machine, select the machine to use for the job.

 

3      Click OK to select the machine and create the job.

 

Using the CAM Tree:

1      In the CAMTabIconBBCD.png CAM Tree, right-click PostProcessorIcon.png Machine, and click Edit.

 

2      In the Machine Selection dialog box, select the Make, and click OK.

 

Using the Current Settings:

1      In the CAMTabIconBBCD.png CAM Tree, right-click CAMPartIconFolder.png Milling Jobor Nesting Job, and click Current Settings.

 

2      In the Machine Parameters page, next to Make, click EllipsisButtonIcon16x16.png.

 

3      In the Machine Selection dialog box, select the machine Make and click OK.

 

4      You can also make any needed changes in the Milling Settings dialog box before clicking OK and they are saved with the selected machine for the current part only.

 

To learn about all of the parameters for Current Settings, view the Current Settings dialog box.

Tool Dialog Box

The parameters that are used to create operations for these machine types are the same as explained in the appropriate CAM Wizard topics. For example, the profile operation parameters are explained in the 2 Axis Wizard. The only difference in the Milling Wizards for these machine types is the Tool page as explained next.

 

Common Parameters

 

Tool Data

      • AIR - selects air as the assist gas.

      • OXYGEN - selects oxygen as the assist gas.

      • OXYACETYLENE - selects oxyacetylene as the assist gas.

 

Cutter

Gas

Shutter

 

Feeds and Speeds

 

Waterjet

Feeds and Speeds

Related Topics

The CAM Overview