Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO]Bob Cad

Terry,

I have found that most freeware/shareware is not intended to run the way you
want. It was designed to give you a basic starter and you must expand on
your own. To keep it cheap you lose alot of control. Most software is
written in step and direction. This is mostly Basic or dos because most
have PC's and this is what is the easiest to learn. open the port send so
many steps and you are done. "G" code was written for machine use where you
can program the actual distances and the controller has a conversion
software built into it.

As for the question, CAD/CAM, most companies/shops that buy the machines do
not have a draftsman or programmer on staff. It is up to the person that is
going to operate the machine to learn. Most companies do not want to pay
for the education required to learn the programming. I was lucky that I
started in 1978 on the Intergraph and had made friends with the guy on the
other end and had a desire to learn. Most people do not want to take their
free time to learn. I got my degree and all the knowledge I have for
CAD/CAM from studying on my own time.

The original pretense was that if you bought BOBCAD you did not need to buy
anything else to do the drawings. You did not have to go out and buy a cad
package also.

Also, most machines come with their own built in computers and are made
strictly for "G" code programming and can not be used for any other
software.

It is a problem for the home shop machinist or even the small mom/pop (me)
shops to get machinery and use it as the cost is too high.

I am at present retrofitting a 10" Atlas into cnc. This is where I am
looking at different packages. I have found that the packages range from
$100 to as high as $9000. The high end I can not afford. I have purchased
Dan Mauch's 5 amp board and constructed it and purchased the DeskNC with it.
When I get a chance to finish the machine I am planning to use it and hope
this will do what I want to.

Earl
ebower@...