Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Beginner question regarding Controller.

Frank Frank wrote:

>Folks,
>
>I hope I am not off topic here, but I am trying to take a small Sherline
>mill, and add CNC capability to it. I have some small Bipolar steppers
>already mounted, and am now trying to determine a reasonable hobby controller.
>
>I am working with 3 axis right now, and have used Solidworks to create the
>parts I would like to mill.
>
>Can anyone recommend a cost effective controller, perhaps even a good used one?
>
>

Controller? Do you mean motor drivers, the program that converts the cad
drawing to toolpaths, or the program that converts toolpaths to step pulses?
I have used Gecko drives for a small machine, and am very impressed with
them. See http://www.geckodrive.com/item.htbml?order_id=&item_id=G201
<http://www.geckodrive.com/item.htbml?order_id=&item_id=G201>
for the G201, or their G210 with a step multiplier built in. You will need
to build a power supply and a box to put it in.

I use Bobcad, but can't highly recommend it, as the manuals are very
weak, the
user interface is pretty strange and takes a lot of getting used to,
etc. But, it
does work. Vector is supposed to be better. Bobcad, at least, combines
the CAD and the CAM functions in one program. CAM is the part that
converts the description of the part (CAD) to the path a tool has to move
it to create the part. The most common toolpath language is frequently
called "G-code", officially it is RS-274D. I use EMC to handle the
conversion
of the G-code into motion. it runs under Linux, which scares people away,
but it does a fine job of it. See http://www.linuxcnc.org/ for more info
on EMC.

Jon