[rthorntn]

Hi CNC'ers,

Please help if you can.

Kit is:

Chinese CNC 6040 with VFD
The crap controller replaced with GeckoDrive G540 kit
6mm 3 Flute Carbide Endmills HRC50
PC with printer port running EMC2

Material is 3mm aluminium sheet

I want to start by cutting case panels that have various sizes and shapes of holes cut in the sheet, for example in a 300mm x 300mm sheet, cut 4 panels of 250mm x 50mm and in each panel cut some other assorted holes for vents and fans and ports.

So I need CAD and CAM for a beginner that will quickly let me do this.

Your recommendations would be much appreciated, there is so much on offer, I scoured the list and found a lot of recommendations.

A combined CAD/CAM solution would be preferred, maximum budget is $200USD.

My needs are simple, would there be a good free CAD/CAM solution?

Thanks.

Richard

[tracyranson]

Hi CNC'ers,

Please help if you can.

Kit is:

Chinese CNC 6040 with VFD
The crap controller replaced with GeckoDrive G540 kit
6mm 3 Flute Carbide Endmills HRC50
PC with printer port running EMC2

Material is 3mm aluminium sheet

I want to start by cutting case panels that have various sizes and shapes of holes cut in the sheet, for example in a 300mm x 300mm sheet, cut 4 panels of 250mm x 50mm and in each panel cut some other assorted holes for vents and fans and ports.

So I need CAD and CAM for a beginner that will quickly let me do this.

Your recommendations would be much appreciated, there is so much on offer, I scoured the list and found a lot of recommendations.

A combined CAD/CAM solution would be preferred, maximum budget is $200USD.

My needs are simple, would there be a good free CAD/CAM solution?

Thanks.

Richard

Look at CamBam 8.22 for your cad I think they have the free version still available and Mach3 for the processor which is about $179

[lovebugjunkie]

Cut2D by Vectric. Vectric software is very easy to learn. Support is (if you need it) second to none. Well worth the money.


Cut 2D - Overview | 2D Hobby CNC Machining | Contour machining | Text Engraving

[Bob Adams]

Hi CNC'ers,

Please help if you can.

Kit is:

Chinese CNC 6040 with VFD
The crap controller replaced with GeckoDrive G540 kit
6mm 3 Flute Carbide Endmills HRC50
PC with printer port running EMC2

Material is 3mm aluminium sheet

I want to start by cutting case panels that have various sizes and shapes of holes cut in the sheet, for example in a 300mm x 300mm sheet, cut 4 panels of 250mm x 50mm and in each panel cut some other assorted holes for vents and fans and ports.

So I need CAD and CAM for a beginner that will quickly let me do this.

Your recommendations would be much appreciated, there is so much on offer, I scoured the list and found a lot of recommendations.

A combined CAD/CAM solution would be preferred, maximum budget is $200USD.

My needs are simple, would there be a good free CAD/CAM solution?

Thanks.

Richard

Take a look at this video it is for make cnc panels and panels.
G540panel.mp4 - YouTube!
Bob A
CNC Programming Software Tools

[harley4ever]

Take a look at Dolphin cad cam. It's a well rounded versatile cad/cam package that handles quite a bit. I use it daily. We also have surfcam at the shop for our very complex parts, but the price tag is a bit steep.

[rthorntn]

Thanks guys, everybody has been raving about Cut2D in other posts and on other forums so I am going to go for that.

[blowlamp]

For similar money to Cut 2d you can get CamBam, which is far more powerful and in my experience has the power of Cut 2d + Cut 3d rolled into one.


Martin.