CNC Software help needed

Hi all.
I´ve just subscribed this list yesterday, and this is my first post.
Many years ago, the ideia of scratch building a CNC machine came into my
mind, but when I started information resources were very limited.
At the begining, I had the feeling that this was something very complicated
and out of reach for an electronics amateur like me.
With the advent of the internet, I was able to find lots of information on
this subject. And the more I learn, the more feel that this is still
complicated, but not so out of reach, as I thought when I started to think
about it.
I have´nt done anything yet, but now I have no problems imagining in detail
the mechanics of a 3 or even a 5 axis mill.
Electronics for stepper motors, encoders, pc conectivity, etc, does´nt also
represent major dificulty.
Components and materials are also much easier to find today.
Presently, my great doubts are in the software area, and this is where I
would like some advise from you guys.
I know that the market now offers many software packages, like Mastercam,
that can translate 3D models into G code.
Also, a couple of years ago, I found what seemed to be a great program
called WINPCNC, wich function was, among other things, to accept G code and
transform it into direct motor controls, via an interface board or a
parallel port..
I dont know why, but this program seems not to be available anymore.
Now, what I´m looking for, is for what kind of software do I have to use,
that can generate or tranform G code, but also taking into account the exact
configuration and parameters of any custom machine.
I mean, things like the maximum axis travels, the number of axes, their
configuration, how they interact with each others, degrees of freedom (in
case of 5 axis), etc...
Does programs like Mastercam can handle this or do I need any other
intermediate tools?
Some time ago, I saw on tv, a pc runing a simulation of a 5 axis mill,
working a 3D part, wich represented a faithfull configuration of the real
machine at work.
Those images really impressed me and I would like to know what programs can
do that.
Also, I would like to have some advise on what programs are available now,
similar to WINPCNC (for Windows preferably).

Thank you all in advance, for any support.

Francisco Simon
designtec@...
ICQ5453591


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