Re: Hi I'm new

Jerry, thanks again for taking the time to look at my links and
answer my questions. I really do appreciate it. I won't need to post
for awhile now, I think your last response may take a couple days to
sink in... Ha!


Thanks,
David





--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Carol & Jerry Jankura"
<jerry.jankura@s...> wrote:

> The product that you're considering does not have an 'on board' rate
> generator. It simply acts as a power amplifier (and possibly an

isolator)

> for the current that the printer port can provide. This item can

(and

> probably does) work, but I'd look at something like the Xylotek (I

believe

> that's the correct spelling) instead.
>
> Typically, a CNC system works as follows:
>
> 1. You draw the part using a CAD program.
> 2. You use a CAM program to convert the CAD drawing into a series of
> commands, called G-Code, that a CNC controller program can execute.
> 3. You use a G-Code interpreter to actually generate the signals

that are

> sent to the printer port (or to some other port depending on the
> hardware/software that you have) Most of the G-Code interpreters in

the

> 'hobby' world will sent the correct signals to a printer port to

control a

> 'step and direction' motor driver. A few of these G-Code

interpreters will

> drive phase motor drivers, and a few will drive servo motors.
> 3a. Some G-Code interpreters require that a separate rate generator

be

> inserted between the printer port and the motor drivers. Usually,

this

> driver provides the robust pulse train from a Windows based G-Code
> interpreter so that a software driver is not required. Other times,

the rate

> generator is used as a means of 'protecting' the software from

piracy (the

> software won't drive the motors without the hardware box).
> 4. Next, you have power drivers that actually drive the motors.

And, you'll

> also need a power supply.
> 5. Currently, most of the hobby oriented G-Code interpreters run

under DOS.

> One runs under Linux, and a few run under Windows. The trend is

towards

> Windows, but I think that DOS will be with us for a while.
>
> I'd suggest you use the following:
>
> 1. Intellicad 2000 as your CAD program - it's free (legally). Use

it to draw

> your parts and generate a DXF file.
> 2. Yeager Automation's ACE Converter - it's also free (legally).

Use this

> program to convert the DXF files you've generated into G-Code. Note

that

> you'll have edit the file produced by ACE to compensate for the

cutter

> diameters and also set up any pockets manually.
> 3. Start with a DOS G-Code interpreter. I use TurboCNC (I should

mention

> that I have an interest in this program) but there are others.

TurboCNC is

> shareware. The program that you download is complete, not time

limited, and

> does everything that the 'registered' version does. The shareware

fee gets

> you the source code, written in TurboPascal, so you can modify it

if you

> desire. Later, if you want a windows based system, you will be

replacing the

> DOS based G-Code interpreter, which is a low cost investment.
> 4. Use the Xylotek driver boards. They cost around $100 for three

axes,

> fully assembled. ther alternatives are Gecko drives or Dan Mauch's

drive

> kit. I used Mauch's kit; if I were starting today, I'd strongly

consider the

> xylotek board instead.
> 5. Build your own power supply
> 6. Use Sherline's coupling kit; it's a cleanly designed system that

works

> well with either the Shreline mill or lathe (there are different

kits for

> each of the models it sells)
> 7. Use double ended motors so you can use the handwheels along with

the

> motors. I chose Sherline's motors simply because they were double

ended. You

> can find cheaper ones if you look. Sherlines are 100 oz-in, which

does a

> decent job with their products. Others will say that you don't need

the

> handwheels once you've got CNC. Personally, I've found them to be

useful.

>
> Hope this helps.
>
> -- Jerry