Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] I would like a opinion on setting up a complete small CNC system.

Hi Jeff:
I have a couple of questions for you:
1) How fast do you have to make each part?
2) What material do you intend to use?
3) How are you planning to fixture the parts to cut them?

The reason for asking all these questions is that the Sherline setup is
really limited in its ability to cut in a production environment.
You are describing a part size that is near the upper limit of what you can
cut on a Sherline.
If you need to hog out most of a stainless block to get your part geometry,
you will not do it anytime soon on a Sherline.
On the other hand, if your part is basically a block of plastic with a few
small areas missing, a Sherline might just do fine.

Hope this helps

Marcus
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Golias <kitfox@...>
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com>
Date: Friday, December 08, 2000 9:54 AM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] I would like a opinion on setting up a complete
small CNC system.

>Hi all,
>
>This is my first post here. I've read MOST of the archived posts and
>wanted to solicit some specific opinions from those who have been
>doing small home/hobby CNC work for a while.
>
>Here's the scoop. I am just starting to put together a setup and
>don't have a lot of knowlege or any experience w/ milling or CNC.
>But, I do have a design in my head and want to go in to "limited
>(<100 pcs)" production to test it's market appeal. The parts I've
>imagined are no bigger than 2"hx2"wx4"l. I've, pretty much, decided
>to go with a Sherline CNC setup. I'm familiar with the mods that
>have been discussed on the list. I want a turnkey CNC package to fit
>on the Sherline that is known to work. I will need a CAD and CAM
>package. I have AutoCAD 14 already and have an oppourtunity to buy
>Mechanical Desktop and/or Inventor 3 for a very reasonable price. I
>have, almost, no experience with any CAD software.
>
>So the questions are...
>1. What CNC package to go with. (I'm not really all that impressed
>by the FlashCut system because of its closed architecture)
>2. Does anyone have experience w/ Mech. Desktop or Inventor 3? If
>so, what do you think?
>3. I've been looking at CNCpro and like it's approach. Is this a
>good choice, and if so, what converter do I need to move the design
>from the AutoDesk software to CNCpro. Will I have problems in 2D to
>3D translation.
>
>I thank you for your thoughtful opinions and time.
>
>
>
>
>Welcome to CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...,an unmoderated list for the

discussion of shop built systems, for CAD, CAM, EDM, and DRO.

>
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