I made a pen-holder to attach to the SCARA robot Z-axis shaft and used it to draw some hilbert curves. The python script to generate the gcode is pretty easy and I’ve put it in a github repository
Category: FreeCAD
Digging Deep into TechDraw
FreeCAD’s excellent TechDraw workbench is for producing Technical drawings – 2D representations of 3D parts. I’ve used some of its features but recently started learning it better. I’m putting what I learned into a series of tutorial videos and part one is finished.
Another End-To-End Series
I’ve started a short series making a very simple four-part acrylic box. This is a good beginner project that touches on several different parts of FreeCAD including an add-on workbench for assembly.
New Book is Finished!
For the last few months I’ve been working on a new FreeCAD book. It’s finally finished available for sale on Amazon ($21) and Kobo ($17.99).
Video Series Part 7 (Preferences) is out
Diving into Preferences, Job Templates, and Setup Sheets. Learn how to fine tune your Path workflow for maximum awesome.
FreeCAD version 0.17 Released!
It’s been just over two years since version 0.16 released and work on 0.17 started. This new release has many great new features. For me, of course, the most important is the completely overhauled Path (CAM) workbench. I’ve had the privilege of working on this with some outstanding developers (who also happen to be really…
New video tutorial series for FreeCAD Path workbench
FreeCAD version 17 is almost ready to be released. It will have a thoroughly overhauled CAM workbench called ‘Path’. I’ve done some videos and posts about this workbench over the last year or so and it has come a long way. I’m starting a new video tutorial series which will be more thorough and give…
Using FreeCAD to engrave on a rotary axis.
FreeCAD Path doesn’t have a 4th Axis operation (yet) but certain kinds of things should still be possible. For example, engraving or pocketing on a cylindrical surface. I’ve seen other software, both open-source and commercial, that allow the user to map a linear axis to a rotary axis. I decided to try writing a ‘Dressup’…
First steps toward simulation in Path
User Shaise has been doing some very cool stuff simulating Path operations. Check out the video to see an example