Re: CNC Software help needed

Well, I just bought visualmill, and it takes dwg and dxf files, along
with the more standard IGES and SLI files. It has a demo, but
unfortunately, you can't use it to test gcode generation. I think
there are a few cheaper programs out there. I jumped on visualmill
because they lowered the price quite a bit, and I wanted to have
something "professional" for a change (I am always going the cheapest
route on everything). I am sure someone will chime in on a cheaper
package that will make me feel like I spent too much :-)

Richard

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Marv Frankel <dcdziner@p...> wrote:
> Richard,
> I'm at about the same stage as Francisco, although I'm
fairly adept
> at using AutoCad. If I create a piece, I assume that the file is
exported in
> some format, to the CAM software. Are any of these more compatible
with
> AutoCad output, and are there any that have trial downloads?
>
> Marv Frankel
> Los Angeles
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "skykotechnologies" <skykotechnologies@y...>
> To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y...>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 8:44 AM
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: CNC Software help needed
>
>
> Hmmm,
>
> Generally, you have the design software, called CAD, which is where
> you start your drawing and model your part.
>
> After that, you load file made with the CAD program into a CAM
> program (like mastercam, visualmill, etc.). This program takes
> parameters such as tool bits, feed rates, etc. and generates g-code
> for your machine, tailored to your machine's specific g-code
> implementation by something called a post processor.
>
> Finally, you load the g-code into a system called the controller.
> This would be things like Fanuc, Haas, Boss and others for the
> comercial, proprietary designs. Some controllers run on personal
> computers. There are many of these software pc based controllers,
> one interesting one is the free EMC developed by NIST. This is the
> place where g-codes are interpreted and stepper or servo motors are
> told where to go.
>
> Richard
>
>
> --- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "Francisco Simon" <designtec@n...>
wrote:
> >
> > 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@n...
> > ICQ5453591
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________________
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>
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