Messages

1

Post Processors (*.cbpp) / Re: GRBL post processor

« on: January 09, 2026, 19:14:00 pm »

As a long time Mach3 user I wanted to add some features to my CNC that was difficult to do.  I went Centroid Acorn which at $363 for the hardware and basic software is a very good deal I think.  Everything is 24vdc, the industrial standard standard so interfacing with sensors or other device is easy.  What I liked is sole source of supply for the hardware and the software. The control software CNC12 has been around for a very long time and is actively supported.  It also has conversational programming so you can get the job done when it doesn't really need CAM.

2

CamBam help (General usage) / New Years Wish

« on: January 04, 2026, 19:28:33 pm »

In the new year I'd like to see Andy save CamBam from a slow death because it is a really great little program.  I have to think there is something that can be done. I for one would be happy to pay an upgrade fee just to get the occasional bug fix or new feature. Machining the area missed by a large tool comes to mind.
Maybe license the source code and take a commission on sales.
We've all been waiting for a LONG time!

3

CamBam plus feedback / Re: Are You Okay?

« on: December 28, 2025, 19:42:53 pm »

Good question because it would be really sad to see CamBam drifting off to nothing.

4

CamBam help (General usage) / Re: MachLabs upcoming launch

« on: December 27, 2025, 17:41:18 pm »

Anyone interested in Mach 3 USB board you can have it for free. I upgraded my machine to the Centroid Acorn to take advantage of some IO features because I have a PLC in my machine too. Happy with the Acorn so far. I also used it for the CNC Router I built with the FIRST Robotics kids so this makes mentoring them easier.

5

CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Open Source CamBam?

« on: September 26, 2025, 23:57:17 pm »

It would be really nice to hear from Andy about the future of CamBam.  I like the program and have purchased 4 seats so far.  However everyone is aware of existing bugs and there is certainly a lot more functionality that could be added.  I am guessing that that CamBam still generates revenue for Andy but I really can't understand why it is being left to die when so many people seem to want it to thrive.  I'd certainly be willing to purchase a new license for a new version, or a maintenance fee, as a way to move it forward, because I a have gotten so much value from CamBam already.

6

Members Projects / Re: Stock Storage

« on: September 05, 2025, 00:02:57 am »

At a previous job I built a material rack from used pallet racks. Made a base from welded up cross beams with ends removed. Used upright frames to form an A. Angle iron rungs in the cross beam bolt holes on one side. One row has rollers to feed the saw at the end.  The back side stores 10’ & 12’ vertically. A set of plywood boxed tubes stores shorts vertically. The A frame is open at one end and sheet goods like plywood slide in the end. A large shelf on top stored things like reels of hose.  Finally short legs on the base so forktruck could pick one end while multiton rollers carried the other end.  Used racking made it cheap.

7

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

« on: May 31, 2025, 14:43:59 pm »

Tool,
You know back when I was busting your chops on the Home Foundry forum about not using CNC I had know idea I was creating a monster!  You really ran with it.

8

Members Machines / Re: FrankenRouter

« on: May 28, 2025, 09:12:06 am »

Llyod,
Thanks for that tip, we will use it to cut out field elements which are large.

I forgot to mention we have a 4th axis that is getting permanently mounted on the left front corner and the extra PLC can supply the high speed stepping so it can be run as a lathe spindle too.

9

Members Machines / FrankenRouter

« on: May 28, 2025, 00:29:28 am »

Well after 4 years I finally got the FrankenRouter up and running for the high school FIRST Robotics team. Why the name? It was built from the carcass of watering machines I built almost 30 years ago and donated to us by the customer. The PLC and most of the electrical is from the machine too.  The control enclosure, shop vac, and the coolant pan are from a junkyard. Steppers are ex-Tormach.
Its a very special machine. 24” x 48” x 7” axis, on wheels and fits through a 35” school door so it goes in our closet. Full enclosure and flood coolant. Main door is vertical and powered up and down.  Main and rear door can be raised an inch so a full 4x8 sheet of plywood can be cut by passing it through.
Control is Acorn and CamBam. Z axis, Spindle clamp and caster mounts are lost foam castings I machined on my homebuilt CNC.

10

CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Errors in G-Code Halting Process

« on: March 31, 2025, 21:44:28 pm »

Thank you so much for the reply. I have given the CamBam GRBL Machine a good try but I don't seem to have any immediate success. A completely new learning experience which will take me a lot of time to get used to.

Of my three CNC Machines a Silhouette Cameo Cutter and a 3D Printer all of which use G-Code The only one's which gives me Coding issues are the GBRL 3036 and Fox Alien Masuter.

I would love to stick with my good old Mach3 but only one of my machines talks Parallel Port Coms. all the others only talk USB, Yes I know, buy Mach4 but hey man I have spent a small fortune on Software.

I have to put this into perspective also, I am NOT a trained CNC Machinist quite the opposite. I have spent my life working life in the electronics industry then Teaching Mathematics' in high school. This is a hobby.

Switching Off The MOP's in turn has allowed me identify the problems down to hole cutting, sometimes it works without stopping othertimes it stops after one cutting revolution.

I just pulled a USB motion controller for Mach 3 out of my machine and replaced with an Acorn.  It was working fine, the computer died and I wanted some features that Acorn could do but not Mach 3 so replaced both at the same time.  Yours for free if you send me your address.

11

CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Drilling through both sides of hollow tubing

« on: February 15, 2025, 02:50:14 am »

Got the custom drill script to work but went back to mill drilling from both sides as the drill wandered to much.

12

CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Drilling through both sides of hollow tubing

« on: February 09, 2025, 18:45:00 pm »

David,
The. Custom script looks like the ticket!

Lloyd,
Its 1/8” wall aluminum and we have flood coolant. I do a peck to keep the chip short so it doesn’t wind up on the drill. Drill is for a 10-32 clearance hole.

13

CamBam help (General usage) / Drilling through both sides of hollow tubing

« on: February 09, 2025, 13:25:03 pm »

On the FIRST team we need to drill lots of holes through 1x2 tubing both sides using a canned cycle. Any way to make a script or something to drill first side rapid down to bottom side and drill it through? Currently doing the top holes in one cycle then the bottom holes individually so the drill pulls completely out for the horizontal move.
Thanks!

14

CamBam help (General usage) / FrankenRouter

« on: January 03, 2025, 00:47:44 am »

The FrankenRouter is finally up and running after five years!  I'll post photos on Saturday.  So what is a FrankenRouter?  Well 25 years ago I built some robot water machines for a greenhouse customer and five years ago he took a couple out of service.  So my Grandson and I went and hauled home the carcass.  So the frame of the FrankenRouter was made from that aluminum 8020 style extrusion.  The electronics and a PLC were also reused, with a modern CPU donated by Automation Direct.  The electrical enclosure came from a junk yard, as well as the stepper power transformer, a metal pan, a shop vac, carpeting, mastic sheet, for sound reduction.  So it is a fully enclosed 24x48x6 bridge router that is on wheels and fits through a 35" school door opening to go in a large closet.  It has a coolant pump and full coolant pan around and under the extrusion table so we can cut metal.  It also has a permanently mounted 4th axis/lathe driven by a large stepper motor.  CNC controller is a Centroid Acorn.  Runs pretty smooth at 100 ipm but the long X screw gets to vibrating too much at higher speeds.

15

Members Projects / Re: A really 'fun', tiny pocket

« on: January 03, 2025, 00:33:09 am »

If you haven't broken a cutter by increasing the feed you don't really know what is possible.  More than once I've gone for 'broken' and cut the machining time by huge amounts AND the tool that didn't break lasted way longer too, because it actually did a lot less cutting.