Need help. I used to use Fusion 360, but not anymore. I downloaded some .stl files from thingverse.com I want to cut them using estlcam. Now what? Estlcam opens the file, but it’s 3d and there is no option for toolpath creation. All the files could be cut 2d, btw. This is my first time working with .stl files. The only measurement I know for sure is the material thickness, 9mm.
Here is the link:
I don’t know where to start. All help is greatly appreciated.
You could try to use Kiri:moto to do the CAM. That takes stls and has a pretty intuitive interface.
For estlcam, you have to find some way to project it to a DXF.
I looked around a bit for a solution. I know two recipes for going from STL to DXF in Fusion 360, but since you are no longer using Fusion 360, that would not be helpful. I looked at online converters. The DXF spec has 3D definitions, so online converters, while they would do the job, would produce a 3D DXF that is highly unlikely to be useful for EstlCAM. So, I looked at online converters that take STL as input and produce SVG files. I tried half a dozen. Most either failed or did not produce usable results, with one exception. This site handled simple files but failed to convert more complex geometry.
So, a search of YouTube, came up with one solution several times: TinkerCAD. It has been four since I used TinkerCAD, but my account was till there, and I ran a test. It worked well. I imported the gear that failed in the conversion site, and then immediately exported it as an SVG. The result was exactly what I would have expected/wanted.
Edit: I was curious, so I tested a couple of the STL files in the Thingiverse project you referenced. Both the online converter and ThinkerCAD worked to produce clean SVG files, but I did have to rotate the models so that the face I wanted to trace with Z up. This can be done in TinkerCAD, or for the online converter, it can be done using most slicers.
OpenSCAD can do this between import and projection, and sometime projection(cut=true)
Here is how I would do it:
I’ve included the DXF files so you don’t have to re-do it yourself, or if I’ve missed a part (or in the future) then you can do that on your own.
pm4a_modified.zip (92.2 KB)
If there are more than two depths, like holes and pockets, I don’t know how to export that as a single DXF, but you can import them both into Estlcam and cut the curves appropriately.
So far my solution is to go to Tinkercad.
Import the .STL fil in Tinkercad, and position it so that the profile you want to cut is in the origin plane. Then exit the editor, and go to download the file. One of the options is to download a .SVG file. This file will be the profile where it crosses the origin plane, and is in .SVG format, which Estlcam is more than happy to import. (It will be scaled in millimeters)
If the file is 2.5D and there is no one plane that has all of the profiles, you can just reposition the solid several times and re-download at the various profiles that you need. I’ve found it useful for overlaying them in Estlcam to put something simple (like a 20mm block) off to the lower left of the object to cut, and line that up the same as I import several .SVG files into the Estlcam project. (Just don’t bother cutting that square out)
Thank you all, I will look at each.
Now I think I have proven my very basic level of software knowledge.
I was comfortable with Fusion 360, but when I logged in last night, the program is not there, just the “shopping” page. I had a hobby account and I knew changes were coming, but I wasn’t aware that I would not have any access at all. Unless I am missing something.
Thanks again everyone.
I’m not sure of your setup. At one time, Fusion 360 came as both an online application and as a download application. I’m not sure if the online version still exists, but the downloaded version still exists and has a free personal/hobby license. They did put some additional restrictions on the personal version about 16 months ago, but very few of these changes impacted me. The only one that chafes a bit is they have a limit of 10 editable projects at one time, though you can have as many read-only projects as you want. And almost all of the feature improvements they continue to make are available in the personal/hobby version.
I will look again. I clicked on the icon to open the program, logged in and the application does not come up, only the website. I will check but my hobby license should not have expired, but perhaps it did. Thanks Robert
You have to renew your license once a year, though it does not cost anything. I don’t remember the exact sequence to renew a personal/hobby license. It is a bit convoluted, but multiple YouTube videos show the steps. I think they make it a bit convoluted to try and get people to pay. Normally when the license has expired, the app is still there, but it may be that your version is too old. You may have to update first or even do a fresh installation of the app.
Thanks again Robert. I open 360 when I got home from work and it was back to normal. I was able to get the stl converted to dxf and toolpaths made. Will start cutting today and hope it all fits.
Thanks again to you and everyone
Well i got them cut out and i an really pleased. Nice tight fit. All i am waiting on is the gears to be printed.
Thanks everyone for the help.
Most appreciated,
Brad
So being new to this stuff, may I ask, how you are going to program/use this axis???
Just because I want to doesn’t mean I can or know how, lol. SO far options include Vectric if I decide to buy a program, also F-Engrave along with G-Ripper can do it. I found a couple of videos that’s where I got those ideas from.
The easiest thing to do is replace an axis with the rotational one. If you’re trying to engrave a cylinder, for example, you don’t have to change much at all. If you are trying to carve something like a bedpost, you have to think a little harder, but the software can be the same. The machine thinks it is moving along Y, but it is really spinning the work. The result is like unrolling the workpiece in CAM.
Actual 4-5 axis CAM is pretty expensive, AFAIK.
I plan on using the Y axis for the rotation
