Originally posted by sendkeys
As for a controller to run the "g code" the other software makes;
turbocnc is the cheapest at i think 20 bucks. Mach1-2 at 150 is faster with more options. |
Sendkeys gives lots of very good advice here for any beginner. Read and heed
For 3D surface machining, where the code is generally about a gazillion short linear moves, Mach2 is the only one of these two programs to consider. It can be run in either exact stop mode, where there's a slight pause between each move, or in a continuous contouring mode where the motion is non-stop from block to block. Tcnc has only exact stop, and some posts from the developers indicate continuous contouring is at least a couple versions down the road. In a surfacing program this can make hours of difference in the time it takes to cut the part, and each stop generates a small but noticable tool mark. It might also be worthwhile to check into some of the DeskCNC products as well to see if they offer continuous contouring. They can supply a software package that integrates motion control and cam into one package, and a multi-axis driver to work with it, all at what looks to be a very reasonable price.