Software:DeskProto

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DeskProto
Developer(s)Delft Spline Systems
Initial releaseFebruary 19, 1996; 28 years ago (1996-02-19)
Stable release
7.1 / May 19, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-05-19)
Operating systemWindows, macOS, Linux
Available inEnglish, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Spanish
Typecomputer-aided manufacturing
LicenseFreemium: Free with paid extensions
Websitewww.deskproto.com

DeskProto is a commercial computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software application, developed by Delft Spline Systems (the Netherlands). It is available for Windows, for macOS[1] and for Linux[2]. DeskProto is available in four editions: Free, Entry, Expert and Multi-Axis: the Free edition offers basic CAM functionality and can be used free of charge[3], the other three editions require the purchase of a paid license. DeskProto is a registered trademark in the USA[4], Europe[5], China and Russia.

History

DeskProto was introduced by Delft Spline Systems in 1996 (DeskProto V1.0, for Windows 3.1)[6]. At that point it was targeted at industrial designers, for what then was called 'Rapid Prototyping': creating prototypes for testing newly designed products. It offered an easy way to CNC machine a 3D model, as an alternative to the very expensive Stereolithography systems[7][8][9]. Main focus during development was ease of use[10]: to make CNC machining possible for designers without much experience in CNC machining[11][12]. Over the years more and more features have been added[13], and the target applications have changed: jewelry wax models, custom insoles, sculptures[14]. As CNC machines have become very affordable, now many hobbyist users are present as well[15][16].

Functionality

DeskProto always starts with loading CAD-data: it can import 2D vector files (DXF, SVG, EPS, AI), 3D geometry files (STL, DXF) and bitmap files (any digital image). DeskProto then calculates CNC toolpaths for that design, simulates the result, and finally exports a toolpath file for the machine that you selected. DeskProto supports 3-axis, 4-axis and (some) 5-axis CNC milling machines.

Release history

Version number Release date Major improvements
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 Rotation axis support
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
7.1 May 2021 Rectangular block and simulation for rotary toolpaths

See also

References

  1. "DeskProto releases CAM software for Apple computers". CIMdata. July 2, 2020. https://www.cimdata.com/en/industry-summary-articles/item/13937-deskproto-releases-cam-software-for-apple-computers. 
  2. "DeskProto Releases Free CAM Software for Linux". Peerless Media, LLC. September 28, 2020. https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/deskproto-releases-free-cam-software-for-linux. 
  3. "DeskProto Releases Free CAM Software". Peerless Media, LLC. June 18, 2018. https://www.digitalengineering247.com/article/deskproto-releases-free-cam-software/. 
  4. "USPTO Trademark search". USPTO. August 2003. https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=75908075&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch. 
  5. "EUIPO eSearch". EUIPO. May 2000. https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/#basic/1+1+1+1/deskproto. 
  6. Simonis, Dick. "DeskProto 1.0 voor Windows". Personal Computer Magazine 14 (July/August 1996): 74. https://www.deskproto.com/files/DeskProtoV1-PCM-jul1996.pdf. 
  7. Lennings, A.F. (April 2000). Selecting Either Layered Manufacturing or CNC Machining. Rapid prototyping & manufacturing 2000: Society of Manufacturing Engineers. https://research.tudelft.nl/en/publications/selecting-either-layered-manufacturing-or-cnc-machining-to-build-. 
  8. Lennings, Lex (June 2013). "Digital Manufacturing: 3D printing and CNC machining". TCT Magazine 21 (3): 49-53. https://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/digital-manufacturing-3d-printing-and-cnc-machining. 
  9. Wöstmann & Lennings (November 2002). "Freie Wahl". Plastverarbeiter 53 (11): 36-38. https://www.plastverarbeiter.de/wp-content/uploads/migrated/docs/649_28560.pdf. 
  10. Cooper, Logan (November 2015). "Getting Started With DeskProto". Autodesk, Inc.. https://www.instructables.com/Getting-Started-With-DeskProto. 
  11. Chadwik, David (June 2002). "DeskProto". CAD User 15 (6): 14-15. https://www.btc.co.uk/Articles/index.php?mag=CAD&page=compDetails&link=143. 
  12. Lockwood, Anthony (November 2013). "3D CAM for Milling and Rapid Prototyping Updated". Desktop Engineering. https://www.deskproto.com/files/dp_de_pick-of-the-week.pdf. 
  13. "Delft Spline Systems releases Version 6.1 of the DeskProto 3D CAM software". TCT Magazine. October 2013. https://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/delft-spline-systems-releases-version-61-of-the-deskproto/. 
  14. "New DeskProto® tutorial video: 3D scanning with your iPhone". PR Zen. Digital Journal Inc. April 2022. https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/new-deskproto-tutorial-video-3d-scanning-with-your-iphone. 
  15. Abraham, John (August 2022). "DeskProto Software Review: Is it worth it?". Mellowpine. https://mellowpine.com/cnc/deskproto-software-review/. 
  16. "DeskProto allows 'hobby business' in its hobby license". Internet Business Systems, Inc.. March 2020. https://www.giscafe.com/nbc/articles/1/1744334/DeskProto-allows-'hobby-business'-its-hobby-license. 

External links

Category:Computer-aided manufacturing software