CAM software

CAM software?

All Colinbus machines are supplied ready to use, which means you do not need to purchase separate CAM software. However, you can increase the versatility of your machine by purchasing another CAM package. For instance, there are a wide variety of packages for specific applications such as engraving, woodworking, 3D modelling, and every other area where CNC machines are used. Generally speaking, specialists in these areas will be able to achieve better results with programs developed specifically for their field than with the standard Colinbus package.

It is not our intention to start selling all sorts of dedicated software, since this would not benefit our customers. However, they can benefit from good advice and support, and this is always available from Colinbus. For historical reasons, we do supply and support a few packages. These are programs that perfect fit perfectly with the activities of Colinbus and can offer clearly defined, generally usable added value.

Select one of the following options:

• EnRoute:,CAD/ CAM software for 2D and 3D applications
• DeskProto: CAM software for making 3D models
• ColiCam: powerful, user-friendly, affordable 2D CAM software

EnRoute is suitable for drawing and designing as well as generating tool paths. This CAD/CAM package quickly became enormously popular in the advertising sector, especially with sign makers. As a result, it is the package with the most powerful functions in this sector. EnRoute has an easily understandable structure and can be learned quickly.

Of course, EnRoute can also do much more. For example, the package has a powerful nesting engine, which means that it can figure out the optimum arrangement for obtaining the largest number of parts from a piece of material. This is a frustrating and time-consuming task if you have to do it by hand, but it is vital for maximising yield and minimising waste.

Three versions of EnRoute are available: Basic, Plus, and Pro. The Basic version is fairly powerful and adequate for many users, but if you want to use the nesting function, you need the Plus version. With the Pro version, you also have the two functions that make this package so popular with sign makers: Baroque chamfering and relief editing. The Pro version can also generate 3D output.

EnRoute Basic

• One of the shortest learning curves of any available package. The graphic user interface is very easy to understand, especially considering the powerful features of the package.
• This package provides a powerful, combined CAD/CAM environment.
• Unique, time-saving ‘link tool path to geometry’ function. If the geometry is changed, the tool path is recalculated automatically.
• Unlimited template saving and reuse. Everything that has been created in a previous job can be used directly in a new job.
• Simple but powerful. EnRoute 4 combines powerful functions with especially easy use.
• Avoid expensive mistakes. Thanks to the rendering function, you can see the results on screen before you make the object. This can save a lot of valuable time and avoid wasting material.

User profile: making 2D objects

EnRoute Plus

• Nesting!! How can you use your material as efficiently as possible? The answer is clear: by using the nesting function of EnRoute 4. Simply drag the various forms onto the worksheet, and the software calculates the most efficient placement. This functions saves a lot of money.

User profile: making 2D objects with decorative accents, relatively large production volumes.

EnRoute Pro

• Baroque Chamfer: a unique EnRoute function that enables you to make objects that are nearly indistinguishable from hand-carved work.
• Textures: This function enables you to define surfaces using parameters. The defined textures can be saved as templates and reused in other projects.
• Relief Editing: a powerful new function for creating relief, comparable to bitmap painting tools.

User profile: 2D and 3D forms, fast generation of decorative accents, suitable for relatively large production volumes.

DeskProto is the ideal package for people who want to make 3D models quickly. This CAM software especially attractive for fabricating creative objects, although is less suitable for making technical objects. DeskProto is economically priced and easy to use, and it generates intelligent milling patterns.

All you need to produce splendid 3D models in house is a Colinbus CNC machine and DeskProto. Depending on which machine you buy, you can work with practically any material in practically any size. The results are amazing, and the price leaves the competition far behind.

How DeskProto works

DeskProto works with STL or 3D DXF files. Note that you cannot design shapes with this package – it is a pure CAM package. This is not a problem, since almost every 3D drawing package can generate files in these formats.

After the STL file has been imported and your drawing is on the screen, you can enter data for the desired tools and strategies and then let the program generate the tool paths. The output file is sent to the milling machine, where the object is made. Simple, good, and inexpensive.

DeskProto is a true 3D CAM package, but it is less suitable for 2D milling work. Some improvements in this regard were introduced with version 5.0, but the functions are still weak compared with ColiCam and some other packages. However, DeskProto can import 2D bitmap files and convert them to 3D models, based on the various greyscale values in the image.

Who should use DeskProto?

DeskProto is an affordable CAM package for making models that are visually attractive, but not for making objects where precision is important. Although DeskProto has sufficient precision for making most types of objects, its typical tool path generation method does not allow high resolution to be achieved. DeskProto is often used in the following areas (typical examples):

• Jewellery: making wax models
• Art: reliefs, sculptures, and reproductions
• Scale models: trains, aircraft, etc.
• Research centres: making simulations
• Packaging industry: making moulds and models
• Medical: primarily orthopaedics and dentistry
• Product design: making prototypes

Available versions

As already mentioned, DeskProto is an affordable 3D CAM package, especially compared with the professional technical packages used by toolmakers. However, the price of the full version (€995) is too high for hobbyists and small companies. For this reason, DeskProto has released a stripped-down version called DeskProto Lite. The price of this version is currently €145 (plus VAT).

Difference between Lite and Full version

General

The purpose of ColiCAM software package is to calculate and generate toolpaths for machining of various objects on milling machines.

Source data for calculation and generation of toolpaths are drawings of objects to be machined. These drawings are usually created with help of various CAD software packages. One of such packages is AutoCAD from Autodesk. For farther processing by ColiCAM, the completed drawings have to be exported to a disk file in one of supported data formats. The task of exporting graphics of the drawing is usually a part of CAD software.

Current version of ColiCAM may import drawing images in following formats

• Autodesk Drawing Exchange Format (DXF)
• Hewlett Packard Graphic Language (HP-GL)

The procedure for generating of complete machining program consists of following steps:

• Import of drawing image in one of supported formats (DXF or HP-GL)
• Optional editing of imported drawing − for example it may necessary to remove redundant graphical elements or interactively close selected open shapes
• Setting up general parameters like stock dimensions, preferred origin of coordinates and eventually default machining parameters
• Creating machining geometries by selecting shapes from imported drawing
• Defining toolpaths by selecting required tools from Tool Database
• Applying machining strategies and setting up individual machining parameters for each defined toolpath
• Ordering program to calculate trajectories for defined toolpath
• Output (to a disk file) of resulting machining program in the format accepted by milling machine

Current version of ColiCAM may output machining programs in one of following formats:

• Generic
• RS274GC G-CODE
• Basic ISO CNC code
• Hewlett Packard Graphic Language (HP-GL)

Project database

ColiCAM stores all information about machined object in project database that at any stage can be saved to disk file. Internal precision (minimal unit) of the database is 1/100000 mm. Coordinates and sizes are stored with this precision. Angular values are stored with precision of 1/1000 degree. The software can process drawings with maximal size of 4400 by 4400 millimeters.

Project Database consists of imported drawing, selected geometries and calculated toolpaths trajectories. This information is presented graphically on computer screen. Project Database includes also numerical data. These data are several types of parameters that are set while preparing machining program for output. Current parameters’ settings are presented (and may be at any timed modified) in tabular form on various pop-up dialogs.

Diagram below presents the structure of ColiCAM project database:

Machining strategies

Algorithms applied to calculation of toolpath trajectories depend on topology of shapes transferred to geometry and selected machining strategy.

Following machining strategies are available in ColiCAM:

• FACE − used to take out material to specified depth over whole surface of the stock.

• PARALLEL − used to take out material to specified depth within boundaries of closed shapes or between boundaries of the stock and boundaries of closed shape inside the stock. This strategy is always combined with PROFILE as then next step in order to finish outline of the take-out.

• SPIRAL − used to take out material to specified depth within boundaries of closed shapes. Toolpath trajectory for this strategy is calculated is such way that finishing outlines with PROFILE is not necessary.

• PROFILE − used to cut out outline of closed shapes internally or externally.

• SLOT − to cut along outlines of shapes (closed and open) with or without offset of ½ of tool diameter.

• STROKE FILL − used for taking out material in parallel strokes within boundaries of closed shapes. This strategy is usually applied for machining shapes constructed as strips.

• DRILL − drilling holes

Editing function

Imported drawings are not always suitable for extracting geometries for machining. To solve that problem ColiCAM provides a set of advanced features that allow editing imported drawings. Editing functions tools enable to relocate and transform shapes. There are also functions for constructing shapes for machining from elements of other shapes. Apart from operating on imported shapes, new shapes may be manually added to drawings.

Editing functions can be therefore treated as simple CAD system integrated within ColiCAM. Using these functions the user can actually create drawings of object to be machined directly in ColiCAM, without necessity to import drawings generated by other CAD packages.

Documenting features

Saved to disk project database and generated machining programs are not the only outputs from ColiCAM. Working session may be documented in other three different ways:

• Contents of graphic screen may at any time copied to Clipboard and then pasted as bitmap to other documents
• Project may be printed in any scale on a color or black & white printer
• Build up of machining programs may be stored in plain text file and presented in Notepad

Try ColiCAM for yourself

• ColiCAM version 1.0.0.47 - English - Apr 2010