Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CAM software

Jeffrey Gough wrote:

>Hello everyone,
>
>I'm new to this board, and home CNC in general. I am attempting to build a small mill capable of producing PCBs and such. I have some reasonable ideas for the mechanics and electronics but the software end remains a mystery to me. i have heard good things about EMC, a peice of software for driving CAM equipment under linux but though i have been meaning to, i haven't made the leap to installing linux yet. i need some software to get started with and thought it might be wise to ask you guys. i'm looking for something that is free, will run under windows 98 or dos and can be downloaded from somewhere. backlash compensation would be nice too. what do you use?
>
>Get the $10 BDI CD from Ray Henry. It has Linux AND EMC, all ready for a
>

simple, easy install from a single CD. And, no question of compatibility of
various versions when it all comes off one CD. It has backlash
compensation,
for what good that is. Oh, if you are in the UK or Europe, try Paul
Corner for
the CD, instead.

>
>ps: has anyone any experience of using cheap, ordinary studding for lead screws? i was thinking of M6 with a pitch of 1mm but i suspect it isn't amazingly accurate. the only other lead screws i can find are ludicrously priced, and the nuts are even worse! also, where might i purchase some very small milling bits suitable for PCB work?
>
>
>
>

These threads are rolled, and all anyone cares about is that a standard
nut will
thread onto it without binding. 60 degree threads are designed to bind
up under
load, to prevent loosening from vibration. An Acme thread is far
superior to
standard machine threads for leadscrew purposes. Especially if you try to
tighten up the machine with dual nuts, the thread life will be very short.

PCB milling bits can be had from Think and Tinker
http://www.thinktink.com/ and some others. Do a Google search for
PCB milling and similar phrases. On Think and Tinker's site,
they call them mechanical etching bits. You'd better be
sitting down when you check the prices, I just looked!
Ouch!

Jon