RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Flashcut vs desknc for windows & Deskam

Hi, Ed:

I'm also new to the machining and CNC, but have worked with software for
years. You might want to also consider TurboCNC. Currently, it's a DOS based
G-Code interpreter (takes G-Code and converts it into the appropriate Step
and direction pulses) that comes with source code and costs about $10.00.
It's written in Borland's TurboPascal, version 7. I've been playing with the
source code to learn how these puppies really work.

What amazes me is that so much low cost equipment is available. When I was
working, I was used to paying about $2500 an axis for a Compumotor drive and
motor, and another $2500 for the board that dropped into the PC to provide
the step and direction signals for the driver. For the hobbiest, you use the
printer port instead of the PC resident board and you pay something like $50
for new motors (less for surplus) and between Camtronica, Gecko, and others,
pay a few hundered dollars for a driver board to handle three axes. This
list has been a real eye-opener as to what can be done on a budget,
especially if you're willing to roll your own.

-- Jerry


|
|As a fellow newbie, I know what you are going through. There are a
|lot of us out here going through the same information. Unfortunately, the
information
|doesn't always come in order and it gets confusing (at least for me) There
|seems to be many CAD or CAD/CAM programs for sale ranging from a few
hundred
|dollars to over ten thousand dollars. Which ones are just adequate and
|which ones are superlative, and at what price?
|I am interested not only in software but in knowing about stepper motors,
|drivers, and the hardware as well. If I asked all the questions that come
to
|mind they would probably kick my ass of the chat group.
|You posed some good questions and don't give up. Thanks Ed Katz
|