Topics

1

Installation Help / No Grid Visible - New Laptop Windows 11

« on: November 17, 2025, 20:15:22 pm »

Setting up a new laptop so I can get some work done while traveling, and everything seems to work so far, but I can't get the grid to show in CamBam. 

Surfaces look like surfaces.  2D and 2.5D geometry shows normally.  I just can't get the grid to show up.  I selected grid true in the options, and set a reasonable grid size, major, and minor lines, and even changed the grid color just in case it just wasn't showing. 

I don't recall any issues with this on the last W11 PC I setup, but I haven't really started using that one yet.

2

Post Processors (*.cbpp) / Inter-Operation Clearance Plane

« on: November 01, 2025, 23:04:50 pm »

Its something I have always felt would be highly beneficial.  Other features and clamps can be in the way, and planning around that is always a pain.  A dummy operation between operations is an option, as is adding individual instructions in operation headers and footers, but its slow, clunky, and has to be done for every operation.  For a complex one off job the time spent manually taking those steps is daunting.

I haven't got my mind quite wrapped around it yet, but how about doing something in the post processor.  In the post processor footer and header.  You could easily duplicate your post processor, so you could only use that option when you need it, and it would only work when the operations are discrete.  It would still not work for something like pocketing or profiling multiple items in a single operation, but it might work for nesting where it generates multiple discrete operations. 

You know the more I think about it the more I realize even if you can do it within the architecture of the post processor there will be issues.  Oh, well.  Maybe it will interest somebody smarter than me. 

3

Scripts and Plugins / Bug-Ins

« on: September 25, 2025, 04:32:26 am »

Could plugins be used to correct or work around some of the bugs?

4

Bug Reports / (V1-9999) No bug fixes or updates

« on: September 09, 2025, 15:06:11 pm »

I figured we might as well add the ultimate bug to the list of official bugs. That's that there are no bug fixes or updates of any kind in ____ days and counting. 

5

Members Projects / I am not a fab shop

« on: August 09, 2025, 20:48:22 pm »

... sometimes a little fabrication work makes the whole job easier.

6

Members Projects / Stock Storage

« on: June 09, 2025, 23:31:47 pm »

For the type of work I do I buy a bit of aluminum flat bar.  My last order was a little over 900lbs of 12ft long bars, and I had another 600-700 lbs of full bars on hand plus shorts and cutoff. 

The cutoffs I put on shelves, but the 12 footers I really haven't a place for.  At the moment I've got the latest order outdoors leaning up against a shipping container, and the rest of the older stock is leaning up against shelves and walls inside the shop.  The inside of the shipping container is lined with shelves being used to recover space in the shop, and it's not setup for practical stock storage. 

I hate it. 

Of course I also buy a little bit of 20' aluminum pipe and tube.  That is to long to lean up against anything inside the shop, but one problem at a time. 

If you have a storage solution for the standard (maybe only USA standard) 12 foot stock flat bar I'd love to see it.  My shop has a 16ft eave height so I can store it vertically anywhere inside that I have the floor space, but I am trying to recover, not lose floor space right now.  I am even considering just storing it all outdoors. 

7

Bug Reports / 3D RESOLUTION BUG - TIED TO STEP OVER

« on: May 27, 2025, 22:01:27 pm »

I reported and documented a while back, but I don't recall which number if any was reported. 

If the step over is large it has a negative impact on resolution regardless of the resolution setting. 

A work around is to generate tool paths at a low step over, convert to geometry, take on the tedious task of deleting unwanted tool paths from the resulting geometry, and engrave the rest.  Its a pretty bad bug and the only good work around is a crazy amount of work. 

Today I ran across the bug again.  I was recutting a mold I developed atleast 15 years ago with an older version of CamBam.  I regenerated the code using more efficient operations I have learned over the years, and I cut the mold.  The bug popped up its ugly head.  The thing is I have cut this mold from the old files many times, but not in a few years.  I don't ever recall having seen it in the old version generated with an older version of CamBam.  Maybe it's just the rose colored glasses of time and nostalgia.  Maybe the bug only appeared in the latest couple updates/versions of Cambam. 

8

Members Machines / Quick Easy Vise Hold Down Clamps  - video

« on: May 25, 2025, 20:16:12 pm »

Quick Easy Vise Hold Down Clamps 

Preferred Link:  https://rumble.com/v6tv2qr-quick-easy-vise-hold-down-clamp.html?mref=1sqt4y&mc=42lue


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For the speech restricted...
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/A7hB8WAWMF8

9

Members Machines / My First 3D Scan

« on: April 06, 2025, 19:55:51 pm »

I picked up a Creality Otter 3D scanner a while back.  I just opened it yesterday and tried it out.  The scan software didn't work on my everyday CAD/CAM design computer.  Its an older i7 with an Intel 4600 video card that works just fine for 3d modeling with 64 bit ViaCAD, and has no issues keeping up with CamBam and ViaCAD simultaneously. 

Fortunately, I had a newer computer I picked up early last year with some kind of hotrod video card.  With all the things going on in my life I just didn't bother with it.  My computer is working, and it will take a day or two to install and configure everything on a new computer.  The new machine is a lot faster i9 with a smoking video card and more memory.  This morning, I put it on a desktop, hooked it, and installed the Creality Scan software.  I didn't even bother to calibrate the scanner.  As soon as it started I went straight to a scan. 

I don't know if it will be useful, but I'll have fun finding out.  First test scan below.  I didn't change any of the defaults. 

Preferred video host:  https://rumble.com/v6rqpen-my-first-3d-scan.html?mref=1sqt4y&mc=42lue

For those of you in speech restricted nations:  https://youtube.com/shorts/UsRItOWuTvA?si=rooKe80k9nafIOmY

10

Members Machines / Abosultely Nothing To Do With CamBam - Breaking Down Stock

« on: February 08, 2025, 17:55:34 pm »

I busted a couple teeth off my slitting saw the other day, this piece was just a tiny bit wider than I could fit in my bigger horizontal bandsaw, and there is not a chance I'd get a cut on something this thick with my plasma cutter.  I had almost forgotten I had this saw. 

I think this saw is mostly intended for low carbon steel and nothing thicker than 1/4 or 3/8.  The first thing I used it for was some stainless sheet. Oops.  Destroyed a blade and got the job done.  I've since used it a few times for thicker aluminum pieces to big to fit in the horizontal bandsaw.  I've broken down aluminum stock up 3 inches thick with it. 

Okay, it does have "something" to do with CamBam.  The piece of metal will eventually go on the Tormach to make one half of a saltwater jig mold.


Click Image For VIDEO:


Short Teaser on Youtube:
https://youtube.com/shorts/LGE9YFUw6tc?si=1gqzWvSWjbthgaQy

11

Members Projects / Twenty five greatest independent watchmakers in the world

« on: February 07, 2025, 05:54:49 am »

I was half hoping to see Arie kabaalstra on that list.  He was a regular on the CamBam forum while he was building his high speed machines and learning the craft.  Maybe he is and Arie kabaalstra isn't his real name.

https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/the-greatest-independent-watchmakers-1235792096/arnold-son/

12

Members Projects / Mill Mage

« on: February 05, 2025, 17:20:52 pm »

I've been invited to beta test Lightburn's new cam software for mill/cnc.  I haven't read the Terms & Conditions yet, but if allowed update you guys on whether or not I think it's worth spending any time on.  I think even if details are required to be kept secret until it's released my general feel about it can be published.

13

CamBam plus feedback / Backup Forum

« on: January 28, 2025, 20:08:25 pm »

Just a reminder.  When this forum is down we do have a dedicated board on the cnczone forums.  Several of us pop in over there whenever there is an issue here. 

cnczone has gotten cludgy and buggy, but it still seems to work most of the time. 

14

Members Machines / Merry Christmas to me. - TOOL SCORE!!!

« on: December 24, 2024, 21:41:37 pm »

Merry Christmas to me.  - TOOL SCORE!!!

I bought a second machine that uses the Kwik 200 tool holders.  I didn't really want to split up tool holders between the two machines.  Not for stuff I would routinely use.  I ran across a discount listed in the title that wasn't shown in the actual price and quantity discounts, so I dropped them a message and bought all they had from two listings, plus an extra, and some extra closer nuts and stop screws (in the bag). 

The big benefit to these Accura Flex tool holders is the AF collets are still sold in a full range of sizes by Devlieg.  In regular weld-on style set screw holders smaller holders are hard to find, but these Accura Flex collet holders will fill all those needs. 

Now I suppose I have to get off my tucas and finish retrofitting that machine. 

15

CamBam plus feedback / I'd like to be the first 1 to welcome you to the Duncan Yo Yo forum

« on: December 13, 2024, 16:04:50 pm »

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