Blender CAM is an open source solution for artistic CAM - Computer aided machining - a g-code generation tool.
Blender CAM is an add-on for the free open-source Blender 3d package.
It has been used for many milling projects, and is actively developed. If you are a developer who would like to help, don't hesistate to contact me.
Features:
Several milling strategies for 2D and 3D
Cutter types: ball, flat, v-carve with various angles
work with 3d data or depth images
Layers and skin for roughing.
Inverse milling
Various options for ambient around model
protection of vertical surfaces
stay low - option for movement
material size setup
simulation of 3d operations
Background computing of the operations, so you can continue working
helix entry, arc retract, ramp down for some of the strategies.
Automatic bridges for cutout operation
Chain export and simulation
Export gcode to:
verious machines, uses nc BSD library from HeeksCNC
Not yet supported:
motion direction - classic, conventional, meander, are only partially supported
4 and 5 axis milling. 4 axis indexed milling wouldn't be hard to add, I just need donations to buy a 4 axis machine ;)
Rafoul added Blender CAM as alternative to LaserWeb and OpenBuilds CAM
