Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] CNC mill software

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>Is there any consensus about which software is best for controlling
>small bench mills (e.g. RF-45)?
>

Best is a very relative term. I'll try to stay somewhat objective.

TurboCNC is easily available, runs under DOS on a 486 or better, and is
$20 shareware, free to try. It's powerful, user friendly, and can
control a LOT of different types of devices. It's also text-only, and
doesn't run well under Windows.

EMC is generally considered to be the most powerful. It runs under
LINUX, with an option to run graphically under X. Additionally, you get
the source code, so you can theoretically make it do anything you want.
It's also one of the few packages that will control a hexapod. Its
down side (I've not used it, so this is secondhand information) is that
it's not particularly user friendly, and its number of options makes it
somewhat mind boggling. To some, the fact that it runs under LINUX, and
not DOS or Windows is also a down side.

Mach1 / Mach2 is generally considered to be an excellent package, with a
LOT of very good features. Its down side is that it is comparatively
expensive, relative to TurboCNC.

My recommendation is to download the latest version (fully functional)
of TurboCNC, and try it. It's free to try, and it has no problem with
standard G-code.. If you like it, fantastic -- if not, try something
else. Essentially it's the "low end" package in the group...no penalty
for trying it.

-- Chuck Knight