software setup, basic start?

I'm making slow progress on my first foray into CNC,but definitely getting there and now at the point I'm looking into the software. I have CAD programmes to use, though now understand I need a second piece of software to output the G-code, then another to control the machine - correct?

Soo.... I see lots of people talking about mach3 - at $160 it's not bad cost wise, is this "the" programme to get, or as a complete novice should I be looking at something more basic / freeware/shareware?

as for the G-code generator, I would ideally love to be able to do 5 axis as my machine will be extremely easy to convert to it, but I've just looked a the cost of featureworks, and once I'd got back up off the floor and had a shot of brandy decided perhaps I'd never darken their doorstep again. Are there ANY cheap options for going above 3 axis that work well?

I'm essentially clueless on this at the moment, but have a reasonable ability with IT things, so any help very gratefully received!

This is the only cheap 5 axis software I'm aware of.
http://www.rainnea.com/cnc_toolkit.htm

Thanks Gerry, interesting stuff, but from what I can gather from that it wont work with solidworks?

just to make life even more fun I've just discovered that Mach 3 is for win xp and 2000... which wouldn't be so bad if my mate hadn't just donated a laptop to use with the router.... only it's not reaally capable of running xp or 2000!

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Originally Posted by Dongle

Thanks Gerry, interesting stuff, but from what I can gather from that it wont work with solidworks?

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Solidworks can probably export in a format that Gmax can import. Be prepared for a steep learning curve, though. :)

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Originally Posted by Dongle

just to make life even more fun I've just discovered that Mach 3 is for win xp and 2000... which wouldn't be so bad if my mate hadn't just donated a laptop to use with the router.... only it's not reaally capable of running xp or 2000!

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You can always start out with TurboCNC. www.dakeng.com

Ger21 any idea on cost of that software

CNC Toolkit? I think it's $150

EDIT: Actually, it's $100

Many Thanks Gerry, Steep learning curve appears to apply to everything here - think I need to find an "idiots guide to" on CNC :rolleyes:

I think the biggest problem I'm having is conceptualising the different options in my head, having never seen a CNC setup in operation. I need to have a play with some software I think - get the free trials downloaded, do something really basic in Solidworks and see what happens at each stage.

Laptop is now in the bin, going to go on the hunt for a replacement today!

Greetings All,
I'm in the planning, early building stages of building a 3 axis machine. Getting my noodle around the software side is the next battle.
Have I got this right...

CAD generates drawing file, which must be readable by the next software CAM

CAM takes the CAD file and generates G code and does clever stuff, compensating for the tool diameter, backlash and other things that escape me right now. I'm also under the impression that the CAM software is where you set the tool depth(?).

CNC Controller takes the G Code and controls the tool.

Mach 3 and TurboCNC fall into the CNC controller category? I read that Turbo CNC calls itself an interpreter, which I take to mean it interprets the G Code and sends the desired to the drivers.

I'm at the slightly confused stage right now and wonder where the bundled products are. Seems like the best way would be a fully integrated software system that takes you from drawing board to tool. I accept that it would be expensive but definately something I would consider.

Does my grasp of the process above ring true? Any recommendations for bundled packages to explore?

Thanks, Curtis

I hear that "Easy CNC" is a good starting place for beginners, has anyone read it?

Curtis

Mach 3 now has Lazy Cam which will generate your G-code. I downloaded a free sofware called ACE. Does a good job. Just open your DXF file in it and it will produce a txt format of G-code of the work you drew.

After that open the G-code the same way in your demo Mach3 and watch it work.

good luck

You are going to learn a lot!

I'm pretty confused as well. I just started building my 'hardware store' cnc today. I was playing around with an old pc and installed EMC2 on top of ubuntu. I have access to Autocad 2006, solidworks and Autodesk Inventor 10. I understand that I need to convert the dxf files from these programs to gcode that EMC2 can read. I've search high and low for conversion programs with no luck. Either the conversion program does nothing at all, or EMC doesn't like the code that is generated. Can anyone point me to a nice step by step tutorial? I found the documentation for EMC to be especially lacking.

Thank you.

JWCD, I've received my "Easy CNC" and find it very good for pulling this stuff together. The author focuses on the products he feels met the "Easy CNC" criteria (sp?).I'm about halfway thru the book and it's just starting to give me overload only because I haven't been able to put it down.

In the book David Benson decided to use Corel Draw Essentials for artistic stuff, Autosketch CAD, and DeskCNC. Desk CNC does the G code and interprets for controls. His explanations of gettting the software working together is very much step-by-step.

The beginning of the book explained writing G code, very informative.

I've been real happy with the book

I downloaded a converter called ACE. It's free and works well. Just make sure your file format is dxf and then open the file within ACE under your file menu.

Download a copy of MACH3 and try to upload your new G-Code there. The program looks intimidating at first until you realize most windows are about the same but arranged differently. One window will let you simulate you cutting your drawing out.

Pretty cool.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by JWCD

I have access to Autocad 2006, solidworks and Autodesk Inventor 10. I understand that I need to convert the dxf files from these programs to gcode that EMC2 can read. I've search high and low for conversion programs with no luck.

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You might want to try the macro I wrote, that exports g-code from within AutoCAD. You can download it from this thread.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8226

Thank you. I'll give it a shot tonight and see if I can get it to work. I'll also check out that book and see where I can get a copy.

I'm pretty new at this and really don't know my way around these programs yet, (I get to use them through the local university computer lab) so that may be part of the problem. I have a copy of the Autocad 2006 bible I was going to try to work through, but if anyone has a better reference for a neophyte to do basic 2.5D drawing, I'm all for that.

I also saw vcarve and am pretty impressed with that, but $500 is pretty steep for a hobbiest. Anyone know of similiar programs that can v-carve letters that are for the budget minded?

Thank you.

Hi ther,

I see there's a bit of GMax/CNC_Toolkit interest in this thread.. especially in relation to learning GMax and CNC_Toolkit.. I'm in the process of creating an Ebook related to CNC with use of GMax and CNC_Toolkit at it's core...

Part 1 and 2 of a brand new detailed user guide for CNC_Toolkit are out TODAY.. available as a free download from the yahoo group in my sig..

Rab has contributed suggestions and has approved the distribution of the guide. Part 3 covering the deployment and use of multi-axis rotary configurations is currently being developed and tested...

If you have any interest in CNC_Toolkit then it's worth a read so feel free to pick up copy...

ttfn

Danny (aka Yohudi)