Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Introduction & request for help

From: <alenz@...>

> Weyland,
> As a relative newcommer to CNC, I too am overwhelmed by the hundreds
> of links referenced in the many posts. There aren't enough hours in
> the day to sort out the ones that you really need. I will try to
> give you my simple explanation. (It has to be simple for me to
> understand it :-)

Ahhh, so yer the other guy in my boat... (:>)

> You mention 'writing the code'. That is fine for the more basic
> geometric shapes, but will get old for more complex parts. I would
> suggest a CAD program, anything from Autocad ($$$$) to freeware
> (Intellicad gets mentioned a lot). Even for hand coding, you will
> have the end points and arc centers all worked out for you. But
> even better, (much better) is to convert your part drawing into
> a .dxf file. Then use a converter, such as Ace Converter, by Doug
> Yeager, to write the G-code for you. BTW Ace works great and it's
> free. The G-code is a text file that can be read and edited by any
> text editer, i.e. Notepad, and there are not too many commands to
> learn.

Thanks for the tip.

> Next step is software that will read the G-code at run time and
> send the propper step/direction commands to your controller
> hardware. Lots of us use CNCpro (another Yeager product). It does
> this thru a DB-25 cable connecting the PC's parallel port to the
> controller board.

Okay, this controller - is it the same thing as the "driver" Jerry mentions?

> The controller board accepts the step/dir signals and drives the
> steppers. It requires it's own DC power supply, size and voltage
> depending on your system. Two popular controllers seem to be the
> Gecko and Camtronics. I use the Camtronics 2-amp board for my
> small Sherline mill. Larger machines may need 5-amp, 7-amp or
> more depending on the size of your steppers.

> Hope this helps,
> Al

It does.

> PS, this is my second attempt to reply. I think I got 'yahooed'
> Hit send and the 'Oops, sorry' screen came up. Does this mean
> 'your message went down the drain', or will it be sent when the
> system comes back up? Guess I'll find out.
> al

Thanks for the info, man.

Weyland