I am wondering if there are any open source CAM software that would be able to process the open source beehive designs. So far I have only used very basic CAM software at our makerspace to make very simple parts or signs. Creating the full nested 4x8 sheet is proving to be a bit challenging without expensive CAM software. I will have to break the nest into two or possibly 3 sections so that we can cut it on our 5' by 5' shapoko router.

Can anyone give me some advice about how to proceed? What CAM software should I try? Is there an easy way to break down the full design into individual SVG files so that they could be processed using simpler CAM software such as easel?

I use Cut2D to convert my CAD files. I save as a .dxf file out of Rhino and it pulls right in to Cut2D. It has a short learning curve and has a good selection of post processors. I run Mach3 on my router and have very little trouble.

Sorry but Cut2D is not open source, neither is Rhino.

Am I the only one that sees the irony in publishing open source plans that can only be processed using proprietary software?

At our makerspace we are trying to use as much open source tooling as possible. We already use LinuxCNC and Chillipeppr to run our CNC machines, both of which are far superior to Mach3. I have used Mach3 extensively in the past, it is one of the most convoluted, clunky and buggy pieces of software I have had the pleasure to use. LinuxCNC is hard to setup at first, but once you get it up and running the UI and stability is far superior to Mach3. I have only heard good things about Rhino, but unfortunately it is not open source.

The problem we are running into is lack of a decent open source 2.5D CAM software. That is why I posted this question here, hoping that someone in this community might know of a solution.

Hi @arasbm, to paraphrase a quote the great Jaden Smith: "Is proprietary software real if patents aren't real?"..it's an issue, yes, and no, we don't have a solution right now. We're not a software development company, at least not at the moment, but LinuxCNC is great and does everything we've ever asked of it.

If you're researching what's out there, why not start a thread and make your findings public here or elsewhere (if you haven't already).

There are forces at play that are working on opening up the entire development pipeline, see WikiHouse and Open Desk...nothing is ready for public use yet though...

Check this out to whet your whistle: http://www.mattkeeter.com/projects/antimony/3/