Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
As anyone here used FLASHCUT CNC 3 ? — Parallax Forums

As anyone here used FLASHCUT CNC 3 ?

$WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
edited 2010-02-03 16:43 in General Discussion
I've down loaded the demo program from FLASHCUT. It seems super simple to use.I sent a quote request into FLASHCUT and I received an E-Mail stating My request is being processed. It has been·a few weeks·now and I haven't heard anything else from them.I would pay for the software if its not to expensive.

·Has any one used FLASHCUT/ And is it with pursuing?

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
The Truth is out there············___$WMc%___···························· BoogerWoods, FL. USA

Comments

  • Brian_BBrian_B Posts: 842
    edited 2010-02-02 02:09
    I tried flashcut years ago ,didn't like it. went to Mach3 five years ago and never looked back.

    Brian

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔





    "Imagination is more important than knowledge..." Albert Einstein
  • CannibalRoboticsCannibalRobotics Posts: 535
    edited 2010-02-02 02:37
    I've been using it for a while. It's not bad but the setups are kind of tricky.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Signature space for rent!
    Send $1 to CannibalRobotics.com.
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2010-02-02 03:31
    I tried Mach 3 for a few minutes, the new interface bugs me beyond words, the graphics look really amateurish - I went back to Mach 2 - nice clean and easy on the eyes.

    There is probably a way to change the interface, well, I know there is I just don't know if I can make it look like Mach 2, and I haven't needed the additional features of Mach 3.

    Rich H

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    The Simple Servo Tester, a kit from Gadget Gangster.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2010-02-02 05:16
    YES. I have used FlashCut CNC for six years now and I really like the program. It's easy to use, intuitive and bombproof. At present I have it controlling the following:

    Wabeco D6000 CNC lathe
    Wabeco CCF1210 CNC milling machine
    ShopBot 4x8 Router

    I've also used Mach3 and it's a very good program. Most people use it in combination with Gecko drives and homemade power supplies. You can also use Gecko drives with FlashCut - you just need their signal generator.

    Ken Gracey

    Post Edited (Ken Gracey (Parallax)) : 2/2/2010 5:27:54 AM GMT
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2010-02-02 06:04
    This is a particularly poignant topic for me right now. I've been using SpectraCAM from Light Machines to generate tool paths for their ProLight CNC mill. It's a non-free program that's primitive, but functional, and works well with their free SpectrCAD CAD software. The hitch is that I'm having to keep an ancient Gateway Win98 machine alive just to use it, since it requires a parallel port dongle that doesn't work with later Windows versions; and they want about $900 to "upgrade" to the Win XP version.

    So this FlashCut program sounds intriguing. Has anyone here used it with Light Machines equipment? How easy is it to customize the G-code output for various CNC machines?

    Thanks,
    -Phil
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2010-02-02 15:06
    Phil,

    FlashCut has its own format of G-code like any post-processor that comes from a CAM system. FlashCut generates the signals out of a USB port to a signal generator box that produces the motor signals. From there, you need either Geckos or the FlashCut motor driver box (comes in a variety of sizes) to connect to the motors. Although FlashCut runs the machines, you still need their signal generator hardware for the motor signals.

    From your post it looks like you've got to find a new CAM program. FlashCut is not a CAM tool - just runs machines as a real-time interface. We're using OneCNC at Parallax for everything. Works great but costs a bundle of $$$. Even when I started with CNC I had trouble finding low-cost CAM tools. And I hate the dongle stuff, too. All it does is tie me down to one machine and make it inconvenient to work on a project when you're anywhere but the computer where you last left the dongle.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax Inc.

    Post Edited (Ken Gracey (Parallax)) : 2/2/2010 3:34:27 PM GMT
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2010-02-02 17:29
    Ken,

    Ah so, I completely misunderstood what FlashCut does. You're right: what I need is a CAM program to convert DXF files to G-code toolpaths. It's just for 2D and 2.5D milling. (I've got a CAM plug-in for RhinoCAD for 3D contour milling, but it's way too complicated for anything else.)

    With SpectraCAM on Win98, I can import a drawing, pick an edge, tell it what tool to use, which side, which direction, how deep, how fast, and how many passes; and it generates the toolpath. Then I pick another edge to contour, point for drilling, or closed curve to pocket, etc. Something like that that runs on XP is all I need to retire my Win98 machine for good.

    -Phil
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2010-02-03 02:49
    Ace Converter will generate G code from a dxf, and so will Mach 2.

    Rich H

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    The Simple Servo Tester, a kit from Gadget Gangster.
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2010-02-03 03:26
    Thanks for the feedback Guys

    I'm just starting out with the CNC stuff.

    I wanted some info before I made the plunge and bought a driver box.

    I have MACH 3 software, But FLASHCUT looked simpler to use.

    Now its a matter of parallel cable or USB cable. I have both so cost will probably win out.

    Thanks again

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    The Truth is out there············___$WMc%___···························· BoogerWoods, FL. USA
  • T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
    edited 2010-02-03 03:28
    I like Bobcad a lot. Guys that use Mastercam really trash Bobcad and their company sales policies bug me, but I use it all the time and it does the job. There are numerous file type output options, and there are many machines already set with presets for their gcode type. Loading in a DXF and generating gcode for a machine is easy. My setup is Bobcad>Mach3
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,401
    edited 2010-02-03 04:34
    @Phil, to clarify - FlashCut can import 2.5D drawings and automatically generate toolpaths. But this is limited as it requires you to draw the parts in an order that they would be machined (no good). It machines 3D from G-Code created by your CAM program.

    @Todd, more power to you about BobCad. I really, really don't like that particular product. I just couldn't get it to do what I wanted it to do repeatedly and I couldn't handle the sales force on my back. I recognize that many people believe in BobCad and that it'll do the job for anybody with patience. We've been lucky enough to get OneCNC at Parallax, but if I didn't have corporate sponsorship I'd probably have figured out BobCad by now.

    Ken Gracey
  • T ChapT Chap Posts: 4,223
    edited 2010-02-03 16:43
    Well there was a learning curve with Bobcad, but I started out doing 6 hours of tutorials with their online training and that probably made a big difference. The videos are very helpful too. The thing is to give them a fake number to call though, cause they are annoying. I recently took a lot of files to a very experienced machinist that does aerospace parts among many other projects as their staple. They imported my exported iges files into Mastercam, and I was quite frustrated how long it took the to work in Mastercam compared to how long it would have taken me to do the same things in Bobcad, and I have heard that Mastercam is the so-called best there is. I suppose thing is that once you get it figured out, whatever works. I am not a Bobcad fanatic, but after 4 years of using it, it is like my right arm now if that makes sense.
Sign In or Register to comment.