Re: New To List

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Fred Pompei <bigbang@m...>
wrote:

>
> Hello Bill et al,
> I'm new to the list, would like to introduce myself.
> My name is Fred Pompei, have been machining a few tears,
> and programming a few.
> Recently, I gotten the bug to build( buy ) a CNC router and here I

am.

> I'm trying to gage the work invoved in getting a fast, solid

machine

> somewhere in the 2'x4' range.
> I have been lurking the emails to find the scope of this group.
> I guess my first question is, does this group get involved with any
> software development
> for hobby use ( I don't mean cracking code). Or is this somthing

another

> list may be doing?
> Before the software was out there for purchase, machines still had

to run,

> I guess that's some of my history.
> I hope to gain a lot of info here and share some, and so far, the

more I

> read, the patienter I get.
> Thanks.
> Best regards,
> Fred

Fred. One of the areas of confusion for people that are coming into
this hobby is in the software end.

There are three distinct areas of the CNC flow. It's easy to chart
like this: CAD->CAM->Control CAD is the transfer of the
part/object from your brain to a drawing. There is a variety of low
cost (even free) CAD programs for you to choose from. A lot of the
decision should be based on what you are going to be making. Pure
mechanical parts for mill and lathe call for a pure CAD package. If
your direction is more decorative like signage, then a drawing
program like CorelDraw handles clipart import and fancy text
placement better.

The CAM part is to take a generic CAD drawing and setup the tools and
toolpaths for your particular machine. The end result is G-Code to
cut a specific job on a specific machine. Different machines 'speak'
different dialects of G-Code, so there is a piece in the CAM called a
Post that alters the g-Code for your purpose. Until recently the CAM
portion was the most expense to obtain but for 2.5D milling (like
routing) SheetCam (www.sheetcam.com) at 150 bucks is a deal.

The Control is the piece that takes the g-code and sends the signals
(ususally Step and Direction pulses) to the motor drive modules.
Depending on your choice of computers and operation systems your
choices are MACH2/3 for Windows, EMC for Linux, TurboCNC for DOS.

While these are three distinct areas, there are combined solutions.
Several CAD/CAM packages exist. Even MACH2 has some basic CAM
features that will take a CAD/Drawing file and generate a basic
toolpath then run it. If you elect to keep the three functions
separate in individual software packages you leave open the option to
mix and match (and change) any piece without replacing the other.

Look over the packages you have been pointed to and try them out. Be
aware that once you have your machine built and running you may well
find that you are doing things on it that you had not visualized and
your chosen software may have to be changed.

This is a good place to get information about motors, drivers, types
of machines, technical information, power supplies, software, etc.

In my opinion the software selection can be done over time and your
primary goal should be to get a machine design (or conversion of a
manual machine) finalized and the machine well under way before you
get too serious about spending money on software. Get your horse
first then go shopping for the right cart (;-)