Looking for help with software/hardware integration

[GeoA]

Hello. I am building a PC based single axis cnc machine with 4 stationary air drills for drilling 5 mm holes in cabinets parts. I lost my engineer toward the end of the project and I am looking for someone to help with selecting software and to help integrate software and hardware.

I am using an Animatics Smart Motor SM2315D with a timing belt. I am also using a bank of SMC solenoid control valves and Clippard Reed switches on the air cylinders that plunge the air drills. Mach3 software has been suggested to me.

Thanks to anyone interested in this project!

[mechtech10]

If you are using the Animatics unit as a stand-alone piece, then you should be able to use the SMI software from Animatics (free download) to do this. However, I do not have sufficient experience with SMI to really show you, you'll have to find someone that has some experience with this. Animatics themselves may be willing to help with a sample program. You can load the program into the motor - it has on-board memory - so you wouldn't even need a PC to stay hooked up to.

If you are using CAD files to convert to dxf, then conversion to G-code for use in a CNC application, then Mach3 would likely work for you. Animatics also has 2 CNC programs that you can use. They are JenCNC - that's what I use at work, and they also have SMNC. Both are '3-axis' programs, and would certainly work for single axis stuff. Both are about $500.

Alternatively, you would likely be able to find some freeware our there that would allow you to do what you want for single axis.

Hope that helps,
Brad