[GeeBake]

Hi all,

New to CNCZone and in fact new to CNC. I do have a great deal of experience with woodworking machinery and I've gooten prety good with my mini lathe.

I just got the Harbor Freight Mini Mill and am having a ball. I decided pretty quickly that it must be CNC retroed and I think the lathe needs it too.

So,

I decided to buy all the parts in one shot from Ron Steele at http://www.stirlingsteele.com/millplans.html .

A bit pricey, but I like the idea of one stop shopping.

Anyone had any experience with his kits?

Obviously I will still need CNC software to control all this. I'm a programmer by proffession so I think I'll have a leg up here with the learning curve. Any suggestions on where to look for software. I've seen tons of links to different packages, but don't really have any info by which to evaluate them.

Thanks!

I'll keep everyone posted on my progress. Ron tells me it will take 8 to 10 weeks to machine the parts though so it will be a slow start.

Geebake

[ShayArnett]

I would say that all depends on the amount of money you have to invest in software. Just from screenshots and testomonials if I had my choice I would get OneCNC. Seeing as how I am broke, I am currently using sheetcam along with corel draw from my graphic design business to play with while I work on my machines. So far I like sheetcam and don't think for the money you can beat it with the features and ease of use. Teamed with Mach3 and the newfangled addons for quick jobs that don't need complex drawings and planning for less than $400 total investment in software I don't think you can beat it.

There is also the ace converter which takes a bit more work to get your final g-code, and TurboCNC to drive your machine. Only reason I don't want to start with TurboCNC is because of constant velocity machining not being available, but if funds won't allow mach3 i will be using TurboCNC.

[GeeBake]

Thanks for the info. TurboCNC looks good, but as I said, I don't really have any info by which to evaluate this software. OneCNC looks fantastic but leaves me with a few questions. First, what does it cost. I hate it when companies don't advertise their prices. And, Second, how does it handle the windows timing errors. I'ma Windows programmer and am intimiately aware of the timing problems in Windows. I can't imagine how the software could compensate for it. Perhaps there's a trick I don't know.

It seems like you're using multiple apps. More dumb questions on my part. What for. Are none of the packages acceptable on their own. You mention SheetCam and Mach3. Do they have different functions?

Thanks,

Greg

[ShayArnett]

Yes they all have different funtions.

There is basically 3 stages to making a part.

1. CAD (or the design process)
You design the part in a program such as OneCNC, AutoCad, Solidworks, Corel Draw, etc.

2. CAM (or g-code conversion)
You take the drawing of your part and use CAM software to generate the g-code toolpaths that in the next step will tell your machine where to move to machine your part. OneCNC can do the cam stage along with the cad, and the same with some other applications, otherwise this is where a program like Sheetcam or Ace Converter come in.

3. Machine Control
You load your g-code into this program and it sends out step and dir pulses to your stepper drivers to actually make the machine move. This is where TurboCNC or Mach2/3 would be used.

Of course there are many other programs available for each step, some of them being able to do just one of the steps and some of them being able to do all three, I was just basically telling you how my workflow will be.

[GeeBake]

OK, I've been trying to research thsi stuff as much as possible so as to not ask dumb questions. Let me see if I have a handle on all this.

I currently have AutoCad and TurboCad which I could use for the design part of this process.

Then I need something to create G-Code from my cad data. I could use SheetCam for this?

Then I will need controller software such as TurboCNC or Mach 2/3.

It looks like one can save some money by purchasing SheetCam with Mach 2 -- $275. I can't, for the life of me find the difference between Mach 2 and Mach 3. I'll just assuem that Mach 3 is an update of Mach 2.

Does that seem like the correct path? I'm thinking that AutoCad + SheetCam + Mach 2/3 should be enough to get me going and is reasonably affordable.

OneCNC just looks fantastic but who know what it costs. I expect a lot.

Thanks very much for the advice.

Greg

[joecnc2006]

OK, I've been trying to research thsi stuff as much as possible so as to not ask dumb questions. Let me see if I have a handle on all this.

I currently have AutoCad and TurboCad which I could use for the design part of this process.

Then I need something to create G-Code from my cad data. I could use SheetCam for this?

Then I will need controller software such as TurboCNC or Mach 2/3.

It looks like one can save some money by purchasing SheetCam with Mach 2 -- $275. I can't, for the life of me find the difference between Mach 2 and Mach 3. I'll just assuem that Mach 3 is an update of Mach 2.

Does that seem like the correct path? I'm thinking that AutoCad + SheetCam + Mach 2/3 should be enough to get me going and is reasonably affordable.

OneCNC just looks fantastic but who know what it costs. I expect a lot.

Thanks very much for the advice.

Greg

Autocad and turbocad will work good for the drawing of parts, (I personaly bring solid work files back to acad and wip out the dwg's) sheetcam will generate the g-codes for you as you specify your peramitors for simple parts to cut in 2 1/2D, some parts you can also bring the DWG file straight into Mach 2-3 and generate the g-code.

I have mach2-3 and it works great, in my opinion it is the best for the hobbiest and also small to large shops, Art has done a wonderful job with it and continuies to do so, I use mach 3 now for the last two weeks and works flawless. I Tried the Linux EMC for free but likes mach2-3 so much more that i bought it.

Joe

[KDN Tool]

I contacted ONECNC and the stripped down version is @ $1500. Have you looked at DeskCNC? It performs both CAM functions and machine control. I personally have never used Mach 2/3 but have a friend who swears by it. I have been using DeskCNC for a couple years now and am quite happy with it. Like anything there are changes I would make but you can go from AutoCAD dxf to machining the part in a matter of minutes once you learn the software.

My $.02

Ken
KDN Tool

[GeeBake]

Hey ken,

DeskCNC looks interesting. Do you have to use their controller or will it work with any controller?

Thanks,

Greg

[buscht]

Greg, your CAM software needs are dependant upon your application.

I use both Sheetcam and Meshcam. Sheetcam is good for 2-1/2D work. Meshcam is good for full 3D models that are more artsy.

Vcarve is an impressive program that is getting good reviews on this forum.

Mach 3 is the latest version, it replaces Mach 2

[Tony Mac]

Hi Greg,

You can test VCarve Wizard for yourself by downloading the fully working Trial version from,

http://www.vectric.com

VCW 2.0 includes good 2.5D cutting options with pocket fill and profile inside / on or outside any cad shapes, automatically compensating for the cutter diameter being used.

For example, when cutting around a cad shape the calculated toolpath atomatically adds the tool radius, ensuring he edge of the cutter machines on the line and cuts the precise required shape.

As the name implies, VCarve Wizard also does a great job at more complex and interesting jobs.

You can see what other CNCZone members are doing and saying about the software by clicking on the links below,

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...2&page=5&pp=15

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...2&page=4&pp=15

Yo can also see some interesting jobs on,

http://vectric.com/forum/viewforum.p...64948c8ed42e61

I hope this helps,

Tony Mac

[KDN Tool]

GeeBake,
DeskCNC's control board works in concert with the software to provide the pulse trains, direction signals, and I/O functions. It has it's own on-board microprocessor to lighten the burden on the host PC. The CAM aspect of the software will function without the control board, but for machine movement control, the board is required. It is compatable with all step and direction input motor drivers. (Gecko's, Xylotex, IMService's servo drivers, etc)

Ken

[GeeBake]

Hey all,

I really appreciate your input. It looks like my hardware is finally almost ready so I need to make a decision.

As I already have AutoCad and TurboCad, I think I'll stick with these for the CAD work.

I'm leaning towards the SheetCam \ Mach3 package. For $275, I don't think I can do any better.

Does this sound reasonable? If I get these and actually get it all configured and working, will this get my foot in the CNC door?

Thanks all,

Greg

[GeeBake]

You guys have been a tremendous help. I've had my mill and lathe CNCd for about two weeks now and have demoed every piece of CAD, CAM and Control software I could get my hands on.

Two things strike me. All of the packages have their merits. I'm really impressed by what's available. I'm also impressed with generally how easy it has been to get this stuff working (at least in a very minimal way.) I was actually cutting parts in wood within a day of assembling everything.

This is the stuff I decided to go with.

After looking at DesKcam, SheetCam, MeshCam and TurboCadCam, I decided to go with TurboCadCam. At first I balked at the price, but then I decided to give IMSI a call and they offered me a really good deal. Since I have an older version of TurboCad, they let me purchase an upgrade for only $399. Wow! I love havign CAD and CAM in the same package.

With CAD and CAM covered, I started looking at control software. I tried TurboCNC and Mach and was pleased with both. However, Mach won out.

Also, after a little digging, I found that you can get a deal on MeshCam and Mach as a package. $275. Though I don't really need 3D CNC at the moment, it fits in my future plans.

Needless to say this all cost more than I wanted to spend, but I think it will be very powerful. Actually $675 doesn't seem too bad for CAD, 2 CAM apps and an excellent controller app.

I have yet to actually cut anything in metal. The hardest thing so far was getting Mach configured properly. Now that I understand the math involved, I can't understand why I ever had a problem with it! I have made ooddles of test cuts in wood though and the parts mostly come out like I expect them to! I haven't done anything with the lathe yet, but that will come!

Thanks again for all of your help.

[SlideRule]

Hello GeeBake,
I'm new to all this too, I just joined the message board recently. I haven't recieved my machine yet, but I'm researching software. You've had the same questions previously that I'm asking now in another thread. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask a couple of questions.

On using Mach 3, are you still able to operate the CNC machine within Windows? If so, are you using Windows XP, or other?

If you're running the machine from within Windows, have you experienced any timing issues, or other "unsmooth" operations of the equipment?

Thanks!

[GeeBake]

Mach runs from within Windows. I'm running it from a couple of different machines all running Win XP Pro. I've noticed no timing issues at all, though I have yet to do much serious cutting. In fact, it's only been since yesterday that I finally figured out how to configure mach for my stepper motors.

If you have any questions about your hardware, I'd suggest you download it and try it. As far as I know, the only limitation is that it will only run 1000 lines of G-Code. It's great fun to work with even without a machine because you can load a file and watch it run exactly as it would if it were connected to a machine.

I've spent a lot of time researching this stuff in the past several weeks. If you have any questions, let me know.

My best advice would be to download as many different demos as you can and try them. Once you figure out the general concepts, they all work similarly enough that you should be able to figure it all out pretty quickly.

Greg

[phil burman]

You could look at upgrading your TurboCad to TurboCadCam. This will give you the CAD and CAM functions in a sngle package. What version of TurboCad do you have.

Phil

Mach runs from within Windows. I'm running it from a couple of different machines all running Win XP Pro. I've noticed no timing issues at all, though I have yet to do much serious cutting. In fact, it's only been since yesterday that I finally figured out how to configure mach for my stepper motors.

If you have any questions about your hardware, I'd suggest you download it and try it. As far as I know, the only limitation is that it will only run 1000 lines of G-Code. It's great fun to work with even without a machine because you can load a file and watch it run exactly as it would if it were connected to a machine.

I've spent a lot of time researching this stuff in the past several weeks. If you have any questions, let me know.

My best advice would be to download as many different demos as you can and try them. Once you figure out the general concepts, they all work similarly enough that you should be able to figure it all out pretty quickly.

Greg

[GeeBake]

Phil, I am using TurboCadCam. It's fantastic. I've been demoing it for a week or so and finally bought it yesterday. It's a great package.

Greg

[phil burman]

Hope you paid the right price. $395 is about as cheap as you should find it. I've had it for a couple of months now and it seems great, but then I have no experience of other packages to compare it with.

Phil

Phil, I am using TurboCadCam. It's fantastic. I've been demoing it for a week or so and finally bought it yesterday. It's a great package.

Greg

[GeeBake]

I couldn't begin to pay the $1000 for the entire package so I called IMSI to see if they would negotiate. They were great. I got a competitive upgrade as I already have an ancient version of AutoCad. I also got the 2D\3D training guides and the whole thing was $450 shipped.

Before I deciided on TruboCadCam, I tried SheetCam, DeskCam and a few others. While I thought they all had their merits, TurboCadCam was clearly the best option. I couldn't be happier at this point, but then again I am so new at this, I could be missing huge things.

Since I had to buy Mach anyway, I got it as a package with MeshCam. I'm reallyl pleased with that as well. While I don't really have the equipment to do 3D yet, it's nice to know that I'll be able to when I do.

Greg

[phil burman]

I think you might be in for a surprise. TurboCadCam is only a 2.5D CAM package. You can make 3D drawings in the CAD part but the CAM part is only 2.5D. I've just checked their website, they don't appear to make this very clear. For instance they say "2D/3D Simulation In Real Time". To most this would imply 3D machining but what it really means is you see a simulation of the 2.5D machining operation in 3D, eh. Its my impression that IMSI are basically a sale organisation so they are not adverse to creating a bit of customer confusion in order to boost sales. That said I still think TurboCadCam is a good package for the price.

Also Mach2/3 is considered by most to be best in class.

Regards
Phil

I also got the 2D\3D training guides and the whole thing was $450 shipped.

While I don't really have the equipment to do 3D yet, it's nice to know that I'll be able to when I do.

Greg