Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Newbie looking for beginner's software

gushasford wrote:

>
> Hi, new to the group and also CNC machining. I won an auction on Ebay
> for a Sherline mill with a MaxNC kit. Now the problem is learning to
> program the thing.
>
> I am experienced in manual machining and AutoCad. I was just wondering
> if there was a easy low cost program that would be best for a beginner?
>
> Is there any books in paticular that are good for a newb? Thanks
>
> Gus H.

*************************

Hello Gus,

I like TurboCnc 4.01 shareware for my Sherline 5410. It runs under DOS.
I think you can download it and try it for free. Then pay the small cost
if you decide to use it.

I also tried EMC but could never successfully make parts with it.

I set up an old $75 200MHz Toshiba laptop with 2GB hard drive and 64MB
memory for dual boot to Windows 98 and Linux. I can boot to Linux and
run EMC or boot to Windows 98 then shut down and reboot to DOS to run
TurboCnc.

I set up dual boot so I could test EMC but have not been able to make
parts with EMC due to technical problems with the software.

Also, EMC is much slower than TurboCnc so requires a faster computer
than TurboCnc. You can easily run a Sherline mill at 20 inches per
minute and 8 microsteps with an old 66MHz 80486 computer and TurboCnc.
To get this stepper feedrate with EMC you need something closer to a
600MHz computer.

Tom Hubin
thubin@...