Actually I used this machine many times when I was a post-doc in Japan.
It's a very nice modeling machine.
Anybody can tell me the price of this machine?
Thanks!

I just posted a picture of Roland's vacuum attachment for a PNC-3000.

This vacuum attachment measures 7 3/4" long x 4 3/8" wide

Inside diameter around the spindle area is 3" inside x 1 1/2" tall.

A 1 1/4" diameter tube pulls from the spindle. Tube is 4" long.

A soft bristle brush fits over the 3" cylinder to pull chips away from
your work. Makes changing the end mill in the collet a little harder
to do.

Hope this helps if you are trying to make your own version.

Jack

Thank you to the people who started and contribute to this group.  The
information here was a tremendous help in bringing a pnc-3000 back to
life this week.  I have created a simple guide that explains how to
send standard g-code to the pnc-3000.  This includes links to the
different resources and a post-processor I have written for Sheetcam:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=517051

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "eba1972" <eba1972@...> wrote:
>
> Thank you to the people who started and contribute to this group.  The
> information here was a tremendous help in bringing a pnc-3000 back to
> life this week.  I have created a simple guide that explains how to
> send standard g-code to the pnc-3000.  This includes links to the
> different resources and a post-processor I have written for Sheetcam:
>
> http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=517051
>

Thanks for the link, I'll have to try that software out one weekend.
Between us all, we have made this place a gold mine of information on the
PNC-3000,
everything you need to know down to the last nut and bolt! Let's keep it up...

Dan :-)

Ive been looking to get hold of a Camm3 PNC3000, I have access to one
at school and would love one of my own.  I have looked on and off on
ebay but never seen one come up.  I only found this group today and was
gutted to see a few posts about units being on ebay :(

So if anyone has one or knows of one that might become available please
let me know.

Cheers Pete

Hi everyone,

Has anyone got any experience with the CAMM-3 PNC-2700?

Is it just a large flatbed version of the PNC -3000?

Does it use the same operating system as the PNC -3000?

Can anyone recommend a supplier for bits/cutters and other accessories
in the UK?

Any help appreciated

I don't know if he still has it, but Les Williams is/was selling his:

http://members.cox.net/moulinet_ltd/roland.html

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "robert.geaves" <robert.geaves@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> Has anyone got any experience with the CAMM-3 PNC-2700?
>
> Is it just a large flatbed version of the PNC -3000?
>
> Does it use the same operating system as the PNC -3000?
>
> Can anyone recommend a supplier for bits/cutters and other accessories
> in the UK?
>
> Any help appreciated
>

I've used a PNC3000 (I own), PNC3100 and a PNC2300 before. I think I've seen a
2700 on
eBay recently. The control panel looks similar to the 3100 model, so I think it
will be quite
similar to the 3100, but NOT quite so similar to the 3000.

As for tools and accessories, try this place: http://www.techsoft.co.uk/
They are quite expensive, but have a great range of tools, and if there is
something you
need for your machine, there is a good chance they can source it directly from
Roland in
Japan, as they have done with a spare part for my PN3000 in the past.

Hope that helps,
Dan

Let us all know !!

Dave

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, pejohnson@... wrote:
>
> Tell me more!!  condition, whats it got and how much.
>  
> Cheers Pete
>
> --- On Thu, 15/1/09, jerry poole <jerry_poole11665@...> wrote:
>
> From: jerry poole <jerry_poole11665@...>
> Subject: Re: [CAMM-3] Re: Looking for a machine
> To: CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, 15 January, 2009, 11:57 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I have a Camm 3 pnc 3000 that I might be able to sell
> If any one is interested
>
> --- On Wed, 1/14/09, bgober1 <bgober1@yahoo. com> wrote:
>
> From: bgober1 <bgober1@yahoo. com>
> Subject: [CAMM-3] Re: Looking for a machine
> To: CAMM-3@yahoogroups. com
> Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 11:02 PM
>
>
>
>
> I don't know if he still has it, but Les Williams is/was selling his:
>
> http://members. cox.net/moulinet _ltd/roland. html
>

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "robert.geaves" <robert.geaves@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> Has anyone got any experience with the CAMM-3 PNC-2700?
>
> Is it just a large flatbed version of the PNC -3000?
>
> Does it use the same operating system as the PNC -3000?
>
> Can anyone recommend a supplier for bits/cutters and other accessories
> in the UK?
>
> Any help appreciated
>

I've used a PNC3000 (I own), PNC3100 and a PNC2300 before. I think I've seen a 2700 on
eBay recently. The control panel looks similar to the 3100 model, so I think it will be quite
similar to the 3100, but NOT quite so similar to the 3000.

As for tools and accessories, try this place: http://www.techsoft.co.uk/
They are quite expensive, but have a great range of tools, and if there is something you
need for your machine, there is a good chance they can source it directly from Roland in
Japan, as they have done with a spare part for my PN3000 in the past.

Hope that helps,
Dan

Hi all,
I am new here and want to say thanks for all the info you have in this
group, it was like striking gold when I found it.
I have a Camm 3 PNC 3000, it works just fine with Dr engrave however
beyond that I am having some problems.  I downloaded SheetCam and the
post processor file found here
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=517051 and no matter
what I do I can't get the Z to move.  I have the right drivers
installed and even removed all the old ones yet no matter how I
configure the dip switches or anything else for that matter it just
doesn't want to move.  Very strange since it is running the Z and Y
right.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

My spindle motor has a scored commutator and I would like to know if I can turn
it down to smooth it out?  Has anyone found a replacement for the 100w ac
commutator spindle motor in the pnc-3000?  Has anyone repaired the motor?

Thanks

My motor looks like a common motor.  There does not seem to be any reason you
cannot repair it like a common motor.

as for replacements there is a link in the files or links section (forget which)
to a Japaneese source for all the parts for these machines.

Dave



--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "itmincjd22" <itmcontracting@...> wrote:
>
> My spindle motor has a scored commutator and I would like to know if I can
turn it down to smooth it out?  Has anyone found a replacement for the 100w ac
commutator spindle motor in the pnc-3000?  Has anyone repaired the motor?
>
> Thanks
>

Hi all - Found this useful group as I've just acquired one of these machines..

I thought it was duff because after power up all I could do was jog the
positions. No response from the Manual button , no response from the Motor
button - pretty useless.

So I took the control panel apart - tried it again ( open up ) and all worked as
expected -  put it back together - then it didn't again.
Then - unplugging and replugging the panel while machine was still on - seemed
to set it back working again.

I can't see how its an physical intermittant because it all looked fine
internally - it seemed more like a 'power up issue'.

I just wondered if anybody else has had or seen these symptoms.

Now I'm looking out for the best way to use it to do simple 2D machining of
plastics ( maybe brass / aluminium ??? )

I use solid-edge for my 3d work and can output most formats. Any recomendations
appreciated as I'm trying to avoid the trial and error route.

I'm guessing it was worth the £50 I owe for it if I'm going to keep it??

Rob

-----Original Message-----
From: rowifi
Sent: May 1, 2009 11:26 AM
To: CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CAMM-3] Acquired PNC-3000, is this a fault?

Hi all - Found this useful group as I've just acquired one of these machines..

I thought it was duff because after power up all I could do was jog the positions. No response from the Manual button , no response from the Motor button - pretty useless.

So I took the control panel apart - tried it again ( open up ) and all worked as expected - put it back together - then it didn't again.
Then - unplugging and replugging the panel while machine was still on - seemed to set it back working again.

I can't see how its an physical intermittant because it all looked fine internally - it seemed more like a 'power up issue'.

I just wondered if anybody else has had or seen these symptoms.

Now I'm looking out for the best way to use it to do simple 2D machining of plastics ( maybe brass / aluminium ??? )

I use solid-edge for my 3d work and can output most formats. Any recomendations appreciated as I'm trying to avoid the trial and error route.

I'm guessing it was worth the £50 I owe for it if I'm going to keep it??

Rob

Thanks, I'll download the trial.
I've downloaded the trial of Ventric also, but before I play, I have some maybe
simple questions.

I will be using my laptop to control it ( Windows XP ) I guess I can use it
serial or parallel - I note there is a Windows Driver available but I couldn't
see it in the files. Is it needed? If so where do I get it from?

Ventric Cut2D created a CNC file - but I failed to spot the part which would
'send it to the PNC-3000' Or do I need to output it to Modela and use Modela to
control the machine?

( I've now noted the same thing with Deskproto )

So I assume I HAVE to use MODELA???


Thanks
Rob

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "rowifi" <alphamode@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all - Found this useful group as I've just acquired one of these machines..
>
> I thought it was duff because after power up all I could do was jog the
positions. No response from the Manual button , no response from the Motor
button - pretty useless.
>
> So I took the control panel apart - tried it again ( open up ) and all worked
as expected -  put it back together - then it didn't again.
> Then - unplugging and replugging the panel while machine was still on - seemed
to set it back working again.
>
> I can't see how its an physical intermittant because it all looked fine
internally - it seemed more like a 'power up issue'.
>
> I just wondered if anybody else has had or seen these symptoms.
>
> Now I'm looking out for the best way to use it to do simple 2D machining of
plastics ( maybe brass / aluminium ??? )
>
> I use solid-edge for my 3d work and can output most formats. Any
recomendations appreciated as I'm trying to avoid the trial and error route.
>
> I'm guessing it was worth the £50 I owe for it if I'm going to keep it??
>
> Rob
>
Hi Rob,
Its worth checking the motor brushes on your machine, you need to take
off the upper metal panel and disconnect the wiring joining clip
[ dead easy ] on the motor there are two black plastic covers with a small
crosshead screw securing the brushes, which are on long springs.
Check the length of the carbon part if they are about 10mm long or less change
them.
Also and this applies to anyone with this machine check the fuses in the right
side of the machine and inside the back and check they are the correct rating,
if not and you machine something tough and the cutter is stopped or meets some
resistance there is a small board in the machine which houses the manual motor
contoller this will blow and need replacing and guess what I probably had the
last spare about ten years ago!


regards

Graham

I'm probably being impatient here - ( but that's me ).

Cut2D by Vectric does off an output 'direct to printer' although there are two
Roland formats listed 'Roland mm.rol'  and 'Roland Modela.rol'  I've no idea
which to use for my  PNC-3000, although I did mess about and it eventually
controlled the machine - albeit with several ' error pauses' although I'm not
sure if that was part of the program or not.

The Ventric Vcarve program offers the same output options, but not one to send
direct to the machine, so we end up with some '.rol  files' which look sensible,
but I'm not sure what the correct method is to get this file to the machine
itself. Presumably one has to send it to the printer, but is there a special
utility to do this or is it simply a matter of printing the file to the
approprite printer ' i.e. Roland CAMM3 '


I've discovered that the problem with the machine not running properly from
powerup is that the initial homing sequence neededs to be done several times
until it homes correctly .. then it goes straight into manual mode as perhaps
expected. Something I may need to look at sometime.

Hi

I acquired a CAMM-3 last year to do some 2D work engraving sandblasting stencils
in aluminium and finally got it working beautifully.  But there was lots of
frustration between the buying and the using....

Perhaps what we did might be of some assistance to you.

Firstly, with respect to "starting" the machine, as you have noted getting it to
the initial "home" position is quite problematic.  From power up, I often find
that it takes about 3 presses of the stop button to get it home properly.  Then
I turn it off and turn it back on again without pressing the stop button at all.

Then I set X0, Y0 and Z0 by moving it to the appropriate positions and pressing
the respective buttons.  And then press the home button and it is ready to go.

Make sure that it is in manual mode before sending information to the CAMM-3. 
When the computer has finished "printing the design, then turn it off manual
mode and it should go ahead and do the engraving/milling.

Actually getting it to engrave into or through something is relatively simple. 
We found a Windows printer driver in this group and basically just print from
any windows based program directly to the CAMM-3.  We print from Wordpad for
text engraving and a glass based graphic design package (Glasseye) for graphics.
With each, we simply select the CAMM-3 as a printer and press print. (after
following the above processes)

The printer driver properties tab allows you to set depth and pitch and tool
width for the engraving.  So far we have sucessfully engraved:-

text into aluminium using Wordpad

text through aluminium (2mm thick) using wordpad

graphics through aluminium using Glasseye

text into glass using Notepad and Glasseye

We have - to be honest - also had our shares of costly mistakes in the process. 
Lost some engraving due to setting inappropriate X0 and Y0 coordinates.  If you
try to engrave outside the envelope physically possible with the machine it will
abort.

Lost some cutters owing to not knowing the importance of pitch and depth
settings.

Lost some glass pieces owing to not setting and testing Z0 properly.

Hope this helps

Gordon

Hi Gordon,
Obviously you have found a way to run your machine, however my CAMM3 isn't
nearly as fussy for whatever reason.
If this helps: I turn it on with the switch at the rear, and press "home", then
the machine moves to zero. I set the Z datum, take it off manual, and output to
the CNC from Windows.

Perhaps a different setup then...

Also, have you tried the Roland software? Such as 3D engrave and 3D text etc.
(You can download them from the Files section on here.
Give them a try ;-)

All the best,
Dan

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "divineglass" <divine@...> wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> I acquired a CAMM-3 last year to do some 2D work engraving sandblasting
stencils in aluminium and finally got it working beautifully.  But there was
lots of frustration between the buying and the using....
>
> Perhaps what we did might be of some assistance to you.
>
> Firstly, with respect to "starting" the machine, as you have noted getting it
to the initial "home" position is quite problematic.  From power up, I often
find that it takes about 3 presses of the stop button to get it home properly. 
Then I turn it off and turn it back on again without pressing the stop button at
all.
>
> Then I set X0, Y0 and Z0 by moving it to the appropriate positions and
pressing the respective buttons.  And then press the home button and it is ready
to go.
>
> Make sure that it is in manual mode before sending information to the CAMM-3. 
When the computer has finished "printing the design, then turn it off manual
mode and it should go ahead and do the engraving/milling.
>
> Actually getting it to engrave into or through something is relatively simple.
We found a Windows printer driver in this group and basically just print from
any windows based program directly to the CAMM-3.  We print from Wordpad for
text engraving and a glass based graphic design package (Glasseye) for graphics.
With each, we simply select the CAMM-3 as a printer and press print. (after
following the above processes)
>
> The printer driver properties tab allows you to set depth and pitch and tool
width for the engraving.  So far we have sucessfully engraved:-
>
> text into aluminium using Wordpad
>
> text through aluminium (2mm thick) using wordpad
>
> graphics through aluminium using Glasseye
>
> text into glass using Notepad and Glasseye
>
> We have - to be honest - also had our shares of costly mistakes in the
process.  Lost some engraving due to setting inappropriate X0 and Y0
coordinates.  If you try to engrave outside the envelope physically possible
with the machine it will abort.
>
> Lost some cutters owing to not knowing the importance of pitch and depth
settings.
>
> Lost some glass pieces owing to not setting and testing Z0 properly.
>
> Hope this helps
>
> Gordon
>

Just a thought: Check your DIP/DIL settings on the back of the CAMM3. Refer to
Chapter 9 of the user manual in the Files section. There may be the odd one or
two switches in a different position than for normal operation.
I would let you know my switch settings, however the machine is currently at my
other address.

BTW: I use Techsoft 2D design, for all 2D cutting and engraving, and it's
fantastic. (They have built in drivers for all Roland models and 100%
compatible)
For 3D I use Pro/Engineer exported to .stl (Sterolithography File format) and
then import using Modela Player and cut from that.
Both work excellently.

All the best,
Dan

--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "Divine Glass Design" <divine@...> wrote:
>
> Hi David
>
>
>
> Thanks for that.
>
>
>
> Perhaps there is something awry with our machine - home only works
> intermittently and we need to do a full power off reset between print jobs.
> Thankfully, once you get used to this it isn't a problem.
>
>
>
> We tried 3D Engrave and 3D text early on in the process of trying to get the
> machine to work.  They didn't appear to work so we went for simpler options.
> Perhaps we should now revisit them given that we can at least get the
> machine to work okay - they may be better options than what we are presently
> using.
>
>
>
> Regards
>
>
>
> Gordon

Thanks for all that! Exactly what I needed, a quick start guide!
Also useful to know that another machine has the similar homing problem. When it
fails to home, the unit sounds like the motor is still trying to run - beyond
it's limit so it's possibly a sensor issue.

I'm an electronics designer by profession so I could investigate - but I'm
concerned I might break it permanently!!
I wonder if anyone has ever completely changed the 'engine' for a modern
microprocessor - after all the mechanics are all there and semiconductors have
moved on a bit!


Vectric tell me that the "Roland (mm) .rol" post processor should work or the
PNC2300 post processor wich comes with VCarve Pro.

I've not managed to get Virtual Modela to display anything from any of my
outputs so far - the only ones that do work are the samples that it comes with.

I have discovered FreeMill from Rhino which has a CAMM-3 postprocessor and will
try it later.


I'm on a big learning experience at the moment, but happy to share.
More stuff I've found here:-
http://www.craftsmanspace.com/resources/free-cam-software.html

Rob

Again, only a quick suggestion but you could unscrew the side panel of one side
of the table (just 4 simple screws or so hold the panel on), and I think the
limit switches may be in there somewhere. Could be worth checking they are free
from swarf / dust / gunk which may otherwise impede their working.

Thanks for that link! Some good software on there.
BTW, anything that supports HPGL-I should work.
*I think* BobCAD has a HPGL plugin, but this is paid software.

But I still think the Modela Player is great!
Just out of interest I tried to get the CAMM3 working with a copy of Modela
player 4 (to use the extra features), however the PNC-3000 wasn't supported, but
I got most functionality using the export to MDX-650 setting IIRC. However, it
did tend to stop every couple of mins with an error, however pressing continue
on the machine sorted it. It was just kind of annoying to keep pressing
continue.

If anyone else had any success with Modela PLayer 4. Let me know!

Rob, have you read the guide for Modela and Virtual Modela? If it's not in the
Files section , I'll try and dig it out.

Thanks,
Dan


--- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "rowifi" <alphamode@...> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks for all that! Exactly what I needed, a quick start guide!
> Also useful to know that another machine has the similar homing problem. When
it fails to home, the unit sounds like the motor is still trying to run - beyond
it's limit so it's possibly a sensor issue.
>
> I'm an electronics designer by profession so I could investigate - but I'm
concerned I might break it permanently!!
> I wonder if anyone has ever completely changed the 'engine' for a modern
microprocessor - after all the mechanics are all there and semiconductors have
moved on a bit!
>
>
> Vectric tell me that the "Roland (mm) .rol" post processor should work or the
PNC2300 post processor wich comes with VCarve Pro.
>
> I've not managed to get Virtual Modela to display anything from any of my
outputs so far - the only ones that do work are the samples that it comes with.
>
> I have discovered FreeMill from Rhino which has a CAMM-3 postprocessor and
will try it later.
>
>
> I'm on a big learning experience at the moment, but happy to share.
> More stuff I've found here:-
http://www.craftsmanspace.com/resources/free-cam-software.html
>
> Rob
>

---

Hi, How about this software, I have been using 'Toolchips'which is a
Danish Software and can read 3D STL files created in ANY software or
in 2D you can draw up anything and cut or pocket out or drill cycles
and I have been using this for 20 years every day.
The cutter location files
are sent to the Camm3 using the windows standard Generic Text driver
and are in GL1 format which is what the machine needs.
To get a download of this go to WWW.Toolchips.com it gives you 3 days
but still continues to work after the timeout.
How easy do you want it?

Regards Graham



  In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "david876474" <danielbriggs@...> wrote:
>
> Again, only a quick suggestion but you could unscrew the side panel of one
side of the table (just 4 simple screws or so hold the panel on), and I think
the limit switches may be in there somewhere. Could be worth checking they are
free from swarf / dust / gunk which may otherwise impede their working.
>
> Thanks for that link! Some good software on there.
> BTW, anything that supports HPGL-I should work.
> *I think* BobCAD has a HPGL plugin, but this is paid software.
>
> But I still think the Modela Player is great!
> Just out of interest I tried to get the CAMM3 working with a copy of Modela
player 4 (to use the extra features), however the PNC-3000 wasn't supported, but
I got most functionality using the export to MDX-650 setting IIRC. However, it
did tend to stop every couple of mins with an error, however pressing continue
on the machine sorted it. It was just kind of annoying to keep pressing
continue.
>
> If anyone else had any success with Modela PLayer 4. Let me know!
>
> Rob, have you read the guide for Modela and Virtual Modela? If it's not in the
Files section , I'll try and dig it out.
>
> Thanks,
> Dan
>
>
> --- In CAMM-3@yahoogroups.com, "rowifi" <alphamode@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Thanks for all that! Exactly what I needed, a quick start guide!
> > Also useful to know that another machine has the similar homing problem.
When it fails to home, the unit sounds like the motor is still trying to run -
beyond it's limit so it's possibly a sensor issue.
> >
> > I'm an electronics designer by profession so I could investigate - but I'm
concerned I might break it permanently!!
> > I wonder if anyone has ever completely changed the 'engine' for a modern
microprocessor - after all the mechanics are all there and semiconductors have
moved on a bit!
> >
> >
> > Vectric tell me that the "Roland (mm) .rol" post processor should work or
the PNC2300 post processor wich comes with VCarve Pro.
> >
> > I've not managed to get Virtual Modela to display anything from any of my
outputs so far - the only ones that do work are the samples that it comes with.
> >
> > I have discovered FreeMill from Rhino which has a CAMM-3 postprocessor and
will try it later.
> >
> >
> > I'm on a big learning experience at the moment, but happy to share.
> > More stuff I've found here:-
http://www.craftsmanspace.com/resources/free-cam-software.html
> >
> > Rob
> >
>