MonkeyCAM -- free, open source ski and snowboard CAD/CAM
Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 12:18 am
This post contains the current status of MonkeyCAM and will be kept up to date. Last updated for v4.0.6.
MonkeyCAM v4.0 is an open source CAD/CAM program for designing skis and snowboards, and generating G-code programs to cut board parts with a CNC machine. It is free to use for personal and commercial purposes, licensed under the quite permissive Apache 2.0 license. All G-Code programs generated by the program are completely license free, even for commercial use. Party on.
It is available at https://www.monkeycam.org as an online tool which always runs the latest version for free. No ads, no more downloading binaries and screwing with the command line.
Take the tour here: https://www.monkeycam.org/tour
Example of what it generates: https://monkeycam.org/results/5744863563743232
The CAD portion of MonkeyCAM is quite limited, and is specifically designed to aid the design of skis and snowboards only. The CAM portion is slightly more general, but again is specialized to ski and snowboard manufacture.
MonkeyCAM source is published on GitHub at https://github.com/mikemag/MonkeyCAM
Current release with Mac OSX and Windows binaries if you want to download. Linux binaries added in the next release, and I may drop Windows: https://github.com/mikemag/MonkeyCAM/releases
Full documentation here:
User's Guide overview
G-Code Program Guide
Configuration Guide -- every board and machine parameter documented.
Features and Current Status
The program takes configuration as JSON to describe the ski or snowboard shape via a small set of parameters and generates the following G-code programs:
* Base cutout
* Core:
** Guide holes to allow the core to be removed and flipped between programs
** Alignment marks to transfer key design points to the bottom of the core
** Edge relief to leave room for steel edges
** Insert holes for standard snowboard inserts (T-nuts) in a variety of patterns
** Top profile to impart the taper to the core
** Cutout, allowing for sidewall overhang and nose/tail spacers
* Nose and tail spacers which match the core
* Edge trenches to enable inlay of different edge wood and/or sidewall material along the effective edge of the core
The G-code programs emitted at this time have been tested on my CNC machine with a very old DeskCNC controller and work correctly. Each program also loads in Mach 3 and simulates correctly. The programs not involving holes load in ShopBot's controller and simulate correctly, but the ones with holes do not work for ShopBot right now.
MonkeyCAM v4.0 is an open source CAD/CAM program for designing skis and snowboards, and generating G-code programs to cut board parts with a CNC machine. It is free to use for personal and commercial purposes, licensed under the quite permissive Apache 2.0 license. All G-Code programs generated by the program are completely license free, even for commercial use. Party on.
It is available at https://www.monkeycam.org as an online tool which always runs the latest version for free. No ads, no more downloading binaries and screwing with the command line.
Take the tour here: https://www.monkeycam.org/tour
Example of what it generates: https://monkeycam.org/results/5744863563743232
The CAD portion of MonkeyCAM is quite limited, and is specifically designed to aid the design of skis and snowboards only. The CAM portion is slightly more general, but again is specialized to ski and snowboard manufacture.
MonkeyCAM source is published on GitHub at https://github.com/mikemag/MonkeyCAM
Current release with Mac OSX and Windows binaries if you want to download. Linux binaries added in the next release, and I may drop Windows: https://github.com/mikemag/MonkeyCAM/releases
Full documentation here:
User's Guide overview
G-Code Program Guide
Configuration Guide -- every board and machine parameter documented.
Features and Current Status
The program takes configuration as JSON to describe the ski or snowboard shape via a small set of parameters and generates the following G-code programs:
* Base cutout
* Core:
** Guide holes to allow the core to be removed and flipped between programs
** Alignment marks to transfer key design points to the bottom of the core
** Edge relief to leave room for steel edges
** Insert holes for standard snowboard inserts (T-nuts) in a variety of patterns
** Top profile to impart the taper to the core
** Cutout, allowing for sidewall overhang and nose/tail spacers
* Nose and tail spacers which match the core
* Edge trenches to enable inlay of different edge wood and/or sidewall material along the effective edge of the core
The G-code programs emitted at this time have been tested on my CNC machine with a very old DeskCNC controller and work correctly. Each program also loads in Mach 3 and simulates correctly. The programs not involving holes load in ShopBot's controller and simulate correctly, but the ones with holes do not work for ShopBot right now.