Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO]Bob Cad

Terry,

You can configure Bobcad to output the "G" code for specific machines as
well as a generic "G" code. The package I have has 8 configurations that
can be set. You pick which one to use when you go into the NC mode and
there is an edit/simulation that can be run that gives you a graphic
representation.

You can have it output step and direction instead of "G" code but since I
use "G" code for all my programs, I have not tried it yet.

To my knowledge, Bobcad has not added a machine control program yet. I had
inquired about it but the serial comm. program they supplied did not work as
a controller only a download port to get it to the machine controller. It
did not work with PC type controllers.

As for the retrofit, I am using steppers and controllers. Steppers vs
Servos is something that is still up in the air, even on the web. If you
talk to some they swear by steppers others swear by servos. You might want
to check out Dan Mauch's page. He has some info on both steppers and
servos, I think.

There are several other web sites also that have info. AH-HA is another
with info on retrofitting.

I use steppers as these are fairly cheap to buy and I do not want several
different types of controlling on my machines. (I design and build machines
to suit the jobs I have at the time. As soon as I get the lathe done I am
going to design a table top machine to do only drilling).

Earl
ebower@...

BTW - I have not heard or seen EMC.

-----Original Message-----
From: james owens <wotisname@...>
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com>
Date: Sunday, May 28, 2000 12:23 PM
Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO]Bob Cad

>Earl,
>
>Thank you for your informed reply. I was trained as a draughtsman in the

days of pens and drawing boards and now draw using ACAD2000, almost
exclusively in 3D Solids. A great deal of time and effort has been put into
learning and of-course there is an element of professional snobbery in not
using anything but ACAD.

>
>>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.
>
>What does BOBCAD do and how does it do it. By this I mean is it just a

drawing package that can output a drawing file as G-code and are there
graphics showing proposed tool paths. Does it generate step and direction
output and is therefore a machine control program as well. Does it run under
Windows** or some other O/S.

>
>>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.
>
>I would be interested in the details of this conversion as I intend to do

the same on a similar sized lath in the future after converting my
Bridgeport. This is looking like DC Servo's and EMC thanks to Jon Elson.

>
>Terry
>