Re: CNC Pro?

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Jon Elson <elson@...> wrote:
>
>
> >Mike Phillips wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >>Bob,
> >>
> >>I'm a long time CNCPro user too. So please explain why Mach3 is so
> >>great. It's not that expensive, I just don't know if it's worth the
> >>swap. My cpu is an 800mhz PIII run Windows 98. Hope that's fast
> >>enough. Doesn't Mach3 run on 2000 or higher?
> >>
> >>Mainly I'd like to have a more efficient process. Right now it's this:
> >>
> >>1) Draw the part in cad.
> >>2) Make 1/2 end mill diameter offset lines of the part.
> >>3) Export the offset lines in dxf.
> >>4) Import into ACE or MyTmill for Gcode generation.
> >>5) Clean up code.
> >>6) Test mill motion for any gotchas.
> >>7) Machine part.
> >>
> >>Way too long.
> >>
> >>
> Yes, I agree. Unless a part requires odd angles, curves that merge
into
> lines, etc.
> I don't use CAD. It is too slow to do all that drawing, unless I
need a
> crutch to
> make sure I don't have the geometry all messed up. I have a bunch of
> small programs
> that generate generic G-code for simple tasks like round and
rectangular
> pockets and
> holes, circles and grids of holes, thread milling, etc. I can run
these
> programs from
> another window at the machine and then use the G-code. They are so
> simple, I haven't
> had to verify any of them in years. (Yes, the hammer situation - if
you
> have a hammer (these
> programs) then all problems look like a nail.) Obviously, almost
all my
> work is 2D or
> 2 1/2 D, not 3D free surfaces.
>
> A number of these programs are a part of EMC now, and can be called up
> from EMC's
> main screen.
>
> Jon
>