User:DpProxyMan/DeskProto (The Non-Machinist's Cam)
DeskProto is a desktop CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing)[1] application. Supported operating systems include Windows, macOS and Linux. Developed by Delft Spline Systems, this multiplatform application is available in four progressive featured editions - Free, Entry, Expert and Multi-Axis - with a current audience composed of designers, mold makers, artists, woodworkers, educators and hobbyists - for the most part non-machinists.[2]
| Developer(s) | Delft Spline Systems |
|---|---|
| Initial release | February 19, 1996 |
| Stable release | 7.1[3]
/ May 19, 2021 |
| Operating system | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Available in | English, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Spanish |
| Type | Computer-aided manufacturing |
| License | Fremium: Free with paid extensions |
| Website | www |
History
[edit]Delft Spline Systems released DeskProto V1.0, February 19, 1996 initially targeting industrial designers[4] as prime user group. The app's design intent was to expedite a phase of manufacturing known as prototyping[5] - essentially creating a proof of concept model in the shortest possible time. In doing so, DeskProto and similar CAM applications contributed to the evolution of Rapid Prototyping (RP)[6]. Hence, CAM - often overlooked by the less informed - has become an integral part of modern CNC reliant industries.[7]
Chronology
[edit]| Version | Date | Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Feb 1996 | Initial release |
| 1.1 | Jan 1997 | Finalized initial release, bug fixes |
| 2.0 | May 1999 | Completely reprogrammed, for Win95/97 |
| 3.0 | Jan 2002 | Rotary axis support added |
| 3.1 | Sep 2002 | Enhanced 4th axis support |
| 4.0 | Mar 2004 | New strategies, Simulation, Multi-sided machining |
| 4.1 | May 2006 | Freeform segment |
| 5.0 | Oct 2008 | Script wizards, 5th axis, bitmap machining |
| 6.0 | Dec 2011 | Three editions, new wizards, multi-threaded calculations |
| 6.1 | Oct 2013 | New strategies, toolpath sorting, Unicode support |
| 7.0 | Mar 2018 | Free edition, 2D CAM, Helix toolpath, macOS support |
| 7.1 | May 2021 | Rect block and simulation for rotary toolpaths, Linux support |
Licensing
[edit]DeskProto's proprietary licensing platform relies upon the purchase of a perpetual license.[8] The exception being the 'Free' edition - an introductory level cam application. DeskProto's licensed editions are priced according to the following intent of use categories - Hobby, Commercial and Educational.
Features
[edit]CAM products, including DeskProto, share a common goal - G-code aka RS-274[9] generation compatible with CNC machine controllers such as Mach3, Mach4, NC Studio etc... By interpreting various graphic formats such as 2D vector files, 3D geometry files and bitmap files, CAM programs create corresponding toolpaths in the form of computer numeric control (CNC) code aka G-code. CNC machine controllers translate the G-code to machine movement directives in turn rendering a physical object in a user selected material. The following is a general summary of desirable features applicable to modern Cam applications including DeskProto:
- Multiplatform support
- Dual user interface - Wizard-based for novice users and Dialog-based for the experienced
- Accepts three main graphic formats - Vector, Geometry and Bitmap
- Compatible file formats - DXF, SVG, EPS, AI, STL, DXF, BMP, JPG, TIFF, PNG
- Multi-axis support - includes Continuous & Indexed (4 & 5 axis rotary) machining
- Automatic feed rate control & Collet collision detection
- Simulated multi-axis toolpath preview
- Implements a gentle learning curve
- Efficient G-code generation allowing user configurable postprocessors
- Multilingual
- Help formats: App integrated, YouTube, PDF, Email and Forum
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Computer-aided manufacturing", Wikipedia, 2022-06-22, retrieved 2022-09-07
- ^ Liou, Fuewen Frank (2019-02-06). Rapid Prototyping and Engineering Applications: A Toolbox for Prototype Development, Second Edition. CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-429-64418-4.
- ^ Delft Spline Systems (May 19, 2021). "New features in DeskProto Version 7.1". DeskProto website. Delft Spline Systems.
- ^ "Industrial design", Wikipedia, 2022-08-23, retrieved 2022-09-09
- ^ "The Three Phases Of Product Prototyping - Inertia". 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
- ^ Dastbaz, Mohammad; Pattinson, Colin; Akhgar, Babak (2015-03-09). Green Information Technology: A Sustainable Approach. Morgan Kaufmann. ISBN 978-0-12-801671-8.
- ^ "What Industries Use CNC Machinery? - CNC Industries | American Micro". AmericanMicroIndustries. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
- ^ "Software license", Wikipedia, 2022-08-26, retrieved 2022-09-09
- ^ "G-code", Wikipedia, 2022-07-22, retrieved 2022-09-16
External links
[edit]Category:Computer-aided manufacturing software Category:Free computer-aided manufacturing software