Newbie needs info!

[GeeBake]

You guys have been a tremendous help. I've had my mill and lathe CNCd for about two weeks now and have demoed every piece of CAD, CAM and Control software I could get my hands on.

Two things strike me. All of the packages have their merits. I'm really impressed by what's available. I'm also impressed with generally how easy it has been to get this stuff working (at least in a very minimal way.) I was actually cutting parts in wood within a day of assembling everything.

This is the stuff I decided to go with.

After looking at DesKcam, SheetCam, MeshCam and TurboCadCam, I decided to go with TurboCadCam. At first I balked at the price, but then I decided to give IMSI a call and they offered me a really good deal. Since I have an older version of TurboCad, they let me purchase an upgrade for only $399. Wow! I love havign CAD and CAM in the same package.

With CAD and CAM covered, I started looking at control software. I tried TurboCNC and Mach and was pleased with both. However, Mach won out.

Also, after a little digging, I found that you can get a deal on MeshCam and Mach as a package. $275. Though I don't really need 3D CNC at the moment, it fits in my future plans.

Needless to say this all cost more than I wanted to spend, but I think it will be very powerful. Actually $675 doesn't seem too bad for CAD, 2 CAM apps and an excellent controller app.

I have yet to actually cut anything in metal. The hardest thing so far was getting Mach configured properly. Now that I understand the math involved, I can't understand why I ever had a problem with it! I have made ooddles of test cuts in wood though and the parts mostly come out like I expect them to! I haven't done anything with the lathe yet, but that will come!

Thanks again for all of your help.

[SlideRule]

Hello GeeBake,
I'm new to all this too, I just joined the message board recently. I haven't recieved my machine yet, but I'm researching software. You've had the same questions previously that I'm asking now in another thread. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask a couple of questions.

On using Mach 3, are you still able to operate the CNC machine within Windows? If so, are you using Windows XP, or other?

If you're running the machine from within Windows, have you experienced any timing issues, or other "unsmooth" operations of the equipment?

Thanks!

[GeeBake]

Mach runs from within Windows. I'm running it from a couple of different machines all running Win XP Pro. I've noticed no timing issues at all, though I have yet to do much serious cutting. In fact, it's only been since yesterday that I finally figured out how to configure mach for my stepper motors.

If you have any questions about your hardware, I'd suggest you download it and try it. As far as I know, the only limitation is that it will only run 1000 lines of G-Code. It's great fun to work with even without a machine because you can load a file and watch it run exactly as it would if it were connected to a machine.

I've spent a lot of time researching this stuff in the past several weeks. If you have any questions, let me know.

My best advice would be to download as many different demos as you can and try them. Once you figure out the general concepts, they all work similarly enough that you should be able to figure it all out pretty quickly.

Greg

[phil burman]

You could look at upgrading your TurboCad to TurboCadCam. This will give you the CAD and CAM functions in a sngle package. What version of TurboCad do you have.

Phil

Originally Posted by GeeBake Mach runs from within Windows. I'm running it from a couple of different machines all running Win XP Pro. I've noticed no timing issues at all, though I have yet to do much serious cutting. In fact, it's only been since yesterday that I finally figured out how to configure mach for my stepper motors. If you have any questions about your hardware, I'd suggest you download it and try it. As far as I know, the only limitation is that it will only run 1000 lines of G-Code. It's great fun to work with even without a machine because you can load a file and watch it run exactly as it would if it were connected to a machine. I've spent a lot of time researching this stuff in the past several weeks. If you have any questions, let me know. My best advice would be to download as many different demos as you can and try them. Once you figure out the general concepts, they all work similarly enough that you should be able to figure it all out pretty quickly. Greg

[GeeBake]

Phil, I am using TurboCadCam. It's fantastic. I've been demoing it for a week or so and finally bought it yesterday. It's a great package.

Greg

[phil burman]

Hope you paid the right price. $395 is about as cheap as you should find it. I've had it for a couple of months now and it seems great, but then I have no experience of other packages to compare it with.

Phil

Originally Posted by GeeBake Phil, I am using TurboCadCam. It's fantastic. I've been demoing it for a week or so and finally bought it yesterday. It's a great package. Greg

[GeeBake]

I couldn't begin to pay the $1000 for the entire package so I called IMSI to see if they would negotiate. They were great. I got a competitive upgrade as I already have an ancient version of AutoCad. I also got the 2D\3D training guides and the whole thing was $450 shipped.

Before I deciided on TruboCadCam, I tried SheetCam, DeskCam and a few others. While I thought they all had their merits, TurboCadCam was clearly the best option. I couldn't be happier at this point, but then again I am so new at this, I could be missing huge things.

Since I had to buy Mach anyway, I got it as a package with MeshCam. I'm reallyl pleased with that as well. While I don't really have the equipment to do 3D yet, it's nice to know that I'll be able to when I do.

Greg

[phil burman]

I think you might be in for a surprise. TurboCadCam is only a 2.5D CAM package. You can make 3D drawings in the CAD part but the CAM part is only 2.5D. I've just checked their website, they don't appear to make this very clear. For instance they say "2D/3D Simulation In Real Time". To most this would imply 3D machining but what it really means is you see a simulation of the 2.5D machining operation in 3D, eh. Its my impression that IMSI are basically a sale organisation so they are not adverse to creating a bit of customer confusion in order to boost sales. That said I still think TurboCadCam is a good package for the price.

Also Mach2/3 is considered by most to be best in class.

Regards
Phil

Originally Posted by GeeBake I also got the 2D\3D training guides and the whole thing was $450 shipped. While I don't really have the equipment to do 3D yet, it's nice to know that I'll be able to when I do. Greg

[GeeBake]

Right. I'm aware that it only does 2 1/2D CAM. That's why I also bought MeshCam. It does true 3D cam and is priced really well. I've played with it quite a bit and it's surprisingly easy to use. Like I said, I don't have much need for 3D at the moment, but it will come in handy later.

Greg

[fly_boy_bc]

I can not believe no one has mentioned CNC4free.org the system developed here is an INTEGRATED package that does more than any $5000 software bundle.

GMAX is Autodesk and with the CNC toolkit plugin you have CAD/CAM for free! I use a licenced copy of Mach3 that came with my Taig/Microproto 4 axis.

Need six axis? Photoengraving? file conversions of any kind? Its's all there and it's all free.

I am still learning it but I know I will never buy any software for my mill or programming tasks. It's just not nessisary.

Gary B in BC doing CNC