Lost where to begin?

[tinygiants]

I am a tinkerer by nature. I love tools and gadgets. My woodworking shop is reasonably well tooled for a weekend hobbyist. So I am confident that I could build a passable cnc router table based on some of the designs and plans found here.

What I do not know is the CNC part. I have pipe dreams of being able to cut 3d parts with the table if built. To that end I am starting my study of programs needed to get from idea to cutting.

I figure the first place to start is the CAD program. I have a 2d cad program that I can draw my basic parts in. I am by no means drafter with it. I have access to AutoCad, but it is useless in my hands. I have access to solidworks. It seems simple enough to use, so I bought books to learn more.

Will I be able to use this as my starting point? If I can model out my parts in 3d can that file be exported to the CAM package? Is CAM the next step?

Any help or direction to the proper point for research would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dale

[Halfnutz]

Yes, CAM is the next step. Most CAM programs import Autocad format drawings, and some can read bitmap or jpeg and other types of files as well. With it you (or the CAM Package) turn your geometry into tool paths, with the appropriate feed rate, tool offset, cut depth, etc. Once that is done the CAM program post processes it for a specific machine (like a HAAS, Fanuc, Anilam, Hiedenhain, etc.) or a generic machine and a control program like TurboCNC or Mach2. Usually it is then run by a simulator to see what your code is going to do. Once satisfied the code is saved as a cnc file and then usually edited with a text editor to check for the correct co-ordinates, feed rates, etc., and to make sure its cutting within your machines envelope. This is then loaded by the machine controller software and run, translating the g-code into the motion control signals required by your control hardware, basically the step and direction TTL signals or serial data, depending on the hardware you have.

All the time new programs are being written that make more and more of this transparent to the user, like some of the engraving programs and integrated CAD/CAM packages.

Theres a lot to learn. Hope that helps.

[widgitmaster]

I agree with HalfNutz, build your machine, and learn how to use it as you go along!
There is so much software out there, everyone has different ways of doing the same thing! But without a machine, its all useless!

Enjoy your jorney!
Eric