Hello everyone! I'm new here to the forum and to CNC routing. I'm trying to figure out how all this works and would like to build my CNC router. I plan to use it for woodworking making signs among other things. I know I will learn alot from you all. Has anyone bought a CNC frame from Hickory Ridge CNC? Likes vs dislikes? I spoke to the owner and he seems to be a really nice and knowlegable guy. I'm considering on buying my frame from him, most likely a 16X 24. I know the stepper mortors will be easy for me to mount. But what about the wiring for all 3 steppers, is it easy to do all the wiring? Also what software to use? I am a Autocad user and can do the design work in Autocad, then do I transfer the Autocad to Mach 3? Any input will be greatly appreciated!

Regards!
Ed

Did you order a frame from him?

Never heard of that company. As far as wiring, it's not hard at all, you have to get your bearings but it's not bad once you figure things out, like Bipolar, unipolar, in series or parallel...etc... As far as autocad, I used to work for Autodesk, and I've used autocad of course but never for machining. I'm sure there's a plug in for it called a CAM. Basically what you do is design the part in a CAD program then most people have plug-ins that run within the program and allow us to tell it what bit size, location of part, how much to cut...that sort of thing. I don't use Autocad for machining as it's a very complicated program and I didn't need all that extra stuff...I went with Rhino and RhinoCAM for my CAM. Works excellent. Anyway once you design the part and use the CAM to set the machining parameter you post your file from the CAM, using a Mach3 script (if that's the program you're using), then open it up in Mach3 and run it.

http://hickoryridge-cnc.com/expertise.html

In terms of software, it's hard to beat Mach 3 (www.machsupport.com). $160 get you a package that not only generates G-Code, but converts it to step and direction signals on your computer parallel port to drive your machine. Definitely check it out. For easy wiring, check out the new G540 coming from Geckodrive -- it's nearly plug and play. You just need to hook up a power supply and add DB9 connectors to your motors, and you're nearly done!

I've also never heard of hickory ridge, but I'm a big fan of 8020-based machines. Possibly because my business is based around them ;), but also because I like the strong yet modular nature of the material.

Ahren
www.cncrouterparts.com