Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] getting started with CNCs

On Sun, 25 May 2003 10:33:19 -0000, you wrote:

>I am new to CNCs and new to this group, and I want to know where's the best
>place to start with CNCs.

<grin> a machine to convert to CNC....

>I have a fair amount of knowledge in electronics, as I used to program
>microcontrollers.

I feel sorry for you, so did I... <grin again>

>
>What is the easiest software to begin with?

Depends on what you want to do, for PC boards, I'd suggest eaglesoft,
there's a free version.

>How can we convert .DXF files to G-codes and then send it to the PC parallel
>port?

Add on program, but the CAD program ought to have this as a feature.

>Do CAM softwares include all of that in one package?

G code to parallel port is not necessarily included, depends on what
your package will do.. I think that TURBOCNC will run under dos, (use
a cheap and older machine) and take a gcode input, control your
machine (through the stepper drivers) directly. A cad program it is
not.

There are others that know far more about this than I, so this is the
limit of what I'd be able to say for now.

Hope that this helps, some.

Harvey

>
>Please, I need all the help I can get.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>