The DeskProto Expert Edition, for complete 3-axis CNC

DeskProto orders need to be processed manually, to check if the license type applies.

This means that after ordering it will take one or even a few days before your license is emailed to you. Our apologies for this small delay.

In the Expert edition all amazing DeskProto options for 3-axis CNC machining are available. Toolpaths can be calculated based on any type of CAD data: 2D curves, 3D geometries and digital images. The result is a CAM program that can be used for any type of part. DeskProto has been developed for users without CNC knowhow: main objective was to make it easy to use. In addition it also proves to be very fast !

A few of the features that the Expert Edition offers you:

• Two different user-interfaces: the wizards offer an easy process (ideal when you start with CNC), the dialogs exploit all options
• Extremely fast calculations, also for complex geometries
• Large STL files are possible: 500 MB is no problem, for the 64 bits version even several GB
• 2D machining (STL, EPS, AI, SVG), 3D machining (STL), and bitmap machining, all in one program
• The ability to freely add and/or edit cutters, machines and postprocessors
• Automation is possible: integrate DeskProto in your application for a fully automated toolpath calculation

CNC machining is an ideal process for manufacturing orthotic insoles. Many orthotic CAD programs apply DeskProto for their toolpath calculations: the CAD program can start DeskProto as fully automated process. This is explained in the Reference manual (in paragraph 'Command Line Parameters').

DeskProto can be used for almost any 3-axis milling machine, even if not yet present on the long list of supported machines: see page Which CNC machine to select. DeskProto also can be used on almost any computer: versions are available for Windows, for MacOS and for Linux.

DeskProto Expert offers all these options (more are listed below) for a price of just   € 595.00
It offers complete functionality for 3-axis CNC. When you need more axes look at the Multi-Axis Edition, when you have a lower budget look at the Entry Edition and the Free Edition.

The DeskProto Expert edition offers advanced CAM functions

The DeskProto Expert Edition includes all functions shown for the Entry Edition.
In addition the following extra functions are available:

• Limit where the cutter may go using a (freeform) area
• Dynamic feed rate control: automatically reduce for high chip-loads. This may well be called the "Bit Saver feature"
• Many machining strategies available (see below)
• Inverse milling: machine a cavity that fits the geometry in the STL file
• Add support tabs, needed when machining from several sides or with a rotation axis
• Meander/climb/conventional, Ambient skipping, Collet collision check, ...
• For 2D machining you can project the 2D contour on the 3D geometry
• For Bitmap machining you can project the bitmap relief on the 3D geometry

The above list only shows the most important features. For a more complete list the comparison tablethat compares the three editions of DeskProto.

DeskProto Expert offers a large number of Strategies for the toolpaths: see the illustrations below.

Application examples for the DeskProto Expert edition

The DeskProto Expert Edition is meant for professional users whose profession is not CNC machining. Like designers and model makers needing a prototype, artists for a sculpture, medics for a brace, etc.

DeskProto can be combined with any 3D CAD program, and with any CNC milling machine.
Using DeskProto you can create a model in many ways:

Simply machine your part from one side.
For instance this insole, a relief model, a thermoforming mold.
Note that the pictures on the left are links to Gallery projects.

Machine two separate halves of a model, each from one side, later to be glued together. Like the right and left half of this hand-tool.

Machine the model from two sides, either using a rotation axis for the 180 degree flip or doing a manual flip. For either case DeskProto provides a wizard to assist.

2D toolpaths can be combined with 3D machining, be projected on a 3D geometry, and also wrapped around an object when rotation axis machining.

When Bitmap machining DeskProto will convert each Z-value in the bitmap to a Z-height in the relief. This means that you can machine any photo! The relief can also be projected on or wrapped around a 3D geometry.