Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Software options

turbulatordude wrote:

> I'm not positive, but I think the terms we use are
>
> CAD, this is the drawing part. Corel would fit here although it is
> not called a 'C.A.D.' program.

Corel is a CAD program - it produces drawings ;)

> then a Post-Processor. this converts the file from whatever format to
> G-code (for machineing) or to Gerbers (for PCB work)
>
> lastly, CAM or Computer Aided Manufacturing. This is where Mach2/3,
> TurboCAD, EMC and others come in.
>
> The post-processor part takes the drawing file and fixes it. it
> allows a person to add cutter compensation, to tweak tool paths, to
> take a roughing cut, then a finish cut....
>
> the CAM just takes the g-code and sends it to the machine. I'm not
> sure if CNC or NC or DNC is the more appropriate term for the software
> that looks at each line of the code and then sends those signals to
> the machine.
>
> Probably the most common suite of software for the home shop guys is
> either corel or some CAD, then, SheetCAM for the post processor, then
> Mach2/3 on the machine.

NO the CAM element in my book is anything that the CAD element and turns
it into GCode. Where it gets woolly is when you start needing to convert
the GCode into something else when a machine does not use GCode.

> I think you might be looking for something like SheetCAM ?

SheetCAM is a possible element, but it is only a sub set of functions.

--
Lester Caine - G8HFL
-----------------------------
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