Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Mill Opinions & CNC simulators

yahoo@... wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I am new to this group and have not read through all the previous
> posts yet.
>
> I would like to know if there is an effort to write a GPL (or
> similar) free source CNC simulator? I'd like to join such an effort
> if there is. If not, i'd like to start one. Does anyone really pay
> $800 for such a thing?

I'm not sure this is needed. You can configure a simulator version of
EMC that will do this. There is a "backplotter" add-on function that
will draw the toolpath in 3-D, and let you examine that. That is not
the same as creating a 3-D image of the machined part from the
toolpath, but it is usually good enough.

> Second - I'd like to trade some private email with CADMAN and others
> regarding their satisfaction with their mills. I keep hearing from a
> lot of people about how I won't be happy with XYZ. My email (for
> this) is yahoo@....

Hmmm? Almost all work can be done quite satisfactorily with 3
orthogonal linear axes. there are some fancy tasks that need 4
or 5 axes, but they are not common. What are you planning on
making? That will give us a better idea of what you need.
Anyway, a standard 3-axis mill can later be upgraded by bolting
on an indexing head to add a rotary axis.

Jon