Re: easy to learn use cad/cam cnc software?

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "tigershark_b"
<tigershark_b@y...> wrote:

>
>
> Hi, I'm new to cnc maching. I want to convert my sherline mill to
> cnc. I was thinking of using the factory hard wareconversion. The
> problen is I'm not too good at using a computer and have no skills
> at drafting and cnc software. Does anyone have a favorite easy to
> use software? Also what kind/kinds of software do I need? Any

help

> or comments is greatly appreciated.
>
> thanks
> TSB

Easy is a relative term. With no exposure to any kind of CAD or CAM
software what for some would be considered easy, you might find
extremely frustrating. Before you spend ANY money you need to
download free demos of each of the three basic programs:

In this Hobby there are three distinct sections (a loud groan from
the long time list members inserted here). The CAD/Drawing part is
to get the part out of your head (or off paper) into an electronic
format. There are lots of pure CAD packages that substitute a mouse
for a pencil. Problem is that with no exposure to drafting of any
kind you will start out one step behind. The scaled down version of
AutoCAD (AutoCAD LT or QuickCAD) might be good places to start.
There are also free and low cost shareware CAD programs. They all
claim to be "easy" but none of them are as easy as picking up a
pencil and ruler. Often you find that the more expensive the
software is, the harder it is to learn (learning curve). That has to
do with the difference between flying a Piper Cub and a C130 cargo
plane. They both fly but the features are vastly different.

The CAM piece is where you take your drawing and graphically describe
how you are going to cut it. Things like type of tool, feedrates,
cut order, offsets, lead-ins, multipass cuts, ect. The CAM piece is
probably harder than the CAD piece since there is virtually no
standards or even common nameing so each product has it's own way to
do things. Some companies have combined the CAD and CAM pieces
(BobCAD is one) but there are always compromises. In my opinion
these programs all evolve at different rates so that by having
separate distinct programs if you change what you are doing you can
change the pieces and mix and match.

The final piece is the Controller software. In the hobby space the
most popular is software that will run on a standard PC and use the
availalble ports to controll the machine. For simple DOS there is
TurboCAD. For Windows there is MACH2. For Linux there is EMC. Some
of those programs have CAM elements built in. For example MACH2 lets
you import DXF files straight from most CAD programs BUT your
toolpath and machine control is limited.

What I am saying is that you are going to have to get comfortable
with each phase of the operations. If you jump in the middle of the
whole thing at once it may be overpowering. It's like having your
first flying lesson (to continue the flying anaolgy) as an instrument
approach to O'Hare.

Take one step and keep reading this an other related lists. Build up
a level of knowledge. CAD/CAM/Control is not quantum physics but is
not basketweaving either! Those of us that have been doing it a
while tend to forget the early struggles and long frustrating hours
of trying to make software do something simple.

You might want to research some low cost options for a separate CAM
and Controller. If you are comfortable with Windows (did I
say "comfortable"?) then take a look at MACH2 (www.artofcnc.ca).
Free DEMO limited to 1000 lines of code. It will run your machine
using step and direction from the parallel port. Then downlaod and
look at SheetCAM (www.sheetcam.com). It is a nice 2D and 2.5D CAm
program for milling, routing and plasma cutting and matches up
perfectly with MACH2. For drawing your shapes it will depend on how
complex of things you want to make. BTW the combo of MACH2 and
SheetCAM are 300 bucks total. You can find a good CAD package for 50
bucks for 2D.

The first thing you need to do is decide WHAT you want to make and
that will determine the direction on preliminary software, and don't
tell us you want to start out doing 5 axis 3D carving! (remember the
instrument approach concept).

The very last thing I want to do is discourage you. Indeed what I
want to do is not loose you in the initial process and have you give
it up as being to complex.