Re: OK Now What?

Thanks, that is what I did. Ive got to the point of lettering with
Deskengrave and some simple DXF conversions with ACE. Frankly, I
expect more in this day and age. I think I am going to check out
Mach 2 as I understand it has a DXF converter built in and is
somehow a relatively stable Windows program for controlling. I dont
think I would actually do much developing if I get stuck in a three
package 2 OS environment. It reminds me of useing escape codes in
PCWrite with a dot matrix printer to draw tables and charts. It was
fun in 1973, but ..... All of these inexpensive shareware programs
are functional,but I think a more developed platform would make the
whole experiance more enjoyable.

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Graham Stabler"
<eexgs@n...> wrote:

>
>
> This is what I did.
>
> Draw a circle or a box or similar in cad and save as dxf. Make

sure

> is is centered on 0,0 and is not too big.
>
> Download ace converter:
>
> http://www.yeagerautomation.com/ace.htm
>
> read the help file so you understand how it works and convert your
> dxf into gcode. Don't worry about multiple passes just yet, set

the

> z depth very small.
>
> Load the gcode in turbocnc, go to the jog menu and without a tool
> move the z axis to the mid position and the x,y right in the

middle

> of the bed. Then zero x,y,z
>
> Then run the gcode. The head should drop slightly and then the

bed

> will move around in a circle.
>
> When you are happy with that then increase the z-depth, put a tool
> in and zero the tool on the top of the stock, choose something

soft

> to start with, I played a lot with insulation foam.
>
> Then start importing your proper drawings into ace for some proper
> engraving. In the long run you will probably want a real cam
> program.
>
> Be sure to look at all g-code produced it is a good way to learn

and

> read the Tcnc help file fully as it covers the basics nicely.
>
> Graham