[rccarguy]

Hellow all. Im very new to this. I have a 3 axis machine and a control box that runs on dancam. From what I understand, dancam is not ideal because it does not accept g code commands. I would like to use this machine. Currently I am learning autocad to help with this. While searching ebay, I found a software program that allows The G code commands to be made directly from autocad. This seems ideal, but my control box is set up for dancam. So heres my question. Can I convert to some other type of control? Do I need to buy a whole new control board, or control box? I think the machine is top notch, very heavy built, looks like it could cut out battle ship bulkheads. I would just like to have a slightly less complicated path to actualy making something with the machine. Seems like I read elsewhere, or was told, that if I rearanged the pins on the computer cord, that plug into the printer port of my pc, that I could run a different kind of software. Is this true? Mainly, I want to run a 3 axis software, that allows traditional G code, so I can start converting some autocad drawings. Sorry if this question has been asked, I searched and found nothing of the sort. Thanks! Brian M

[erase42]

Look into Mach3. there is a forum here on cnczone for it. Its very cool and well supported. I found this schematic http://hans-w.com/9908-09A.gif
that shows what you current connections are if you are using dancam. With that info, and the setup info from mach3 or whatever program you choose, you should be able to make the proper changes in the printer port connections. I would imagine that you can change connections inside the box without too much hassle. For example (pulling numbers out of the air here) If that diagram showed X step as is pin 8, then you need to make the change so that whatever the X step output of the new software is now connected to the wire that WAS connected to the old pin 8.
hope this helped a little

[the professor]

Later versions support g codes. I havent used them, but know that you can free download the latest version at his official site www.dancad3d.com.