[gun_mike]

I have ordered a 3 axis xylotex board for my homemade mill. The mill is complete and I have cam software but i dont have any control software yet. I'm on a shoe string budget so the cheaper the better (as long as it has what i need). I will be milling small to medium sized parts from aluminum acetal, nylon and some times brass. Is there any free software that you guys can recomend, I wouldnt mind demo/trial versions as long as they dont expire and will allow me to import from my CAM software. Line limitations are not an issue yet as long as they are like 10 lines. My cam software is Gsimple:
http://www.gsimple.eu/

Thanks for any help
mike

[High Seas]

Mach2 has a good demo version that is not expiring. Limits are well beyond 10 lines! I like my Xylotexs. (Xylotecci??)
:cheers: Jim

[Stepper Monkey]

Mach is limited to only 500 lines of code, but it is not time-restricted and is fully functional in all other ways as well.
500 lines is nowhere near enough for the type of work I do, and usually not enough for a lot of output from many CAM programs, but it will work really well for most manual coding and is certainly enough to learn on!

[High Seas]

MACH2 -- 1000 lines -- waaay over 10!

http://www.artsoftcontrols.com/artso.../downloads.htm

And, very reasonably priced with an outstanding support system! I like it more than my Xylotecci.

[Regnar]

I think Mach3 is 2000 lines of code. Again I think. I havent paid for it yet but I have been able to cut everything I wanted I just use smaller files.

[ger21]

The newer versions of mach3 are limited to 500 lines of g-code. Older version were 1000.

If you're not trying to do 3D, you can do a lot with 500 lines of code.

[gun_mike]

I've downloaded mach 2 demo, The 1000 lines of code were very appealing. Is there a big difference between mach2 and mach3? I know the xylotex website lists mach 2 as an example for software Is there a reason for this? or maybe it was written before mach 3 came out?
thanks
mike

[cyclestart]

I know the xylotex website lists mach 2 as an example for software Is there a reason for this?

Jeff (the xylotex guy) doesn't really keep on top of what goes on with Mach. He seems to be using TurboCNC with freedos on his personal system(s).

Check his yahoo group and you'll notice he leaves most Mach questions to other users.