next step

[linkintiger]

Hello guys i'm a new in this forum i read Beginner Troubleshooting and Building Considerations and many others articles over the internet but that didn't answer my question...so i builld my first cnc table 3 feet by 5 feet but now i need to connected somehow to the computer.

What will be good not to expensive, accurate around 1/32", USB kit so i can connect to the laptop with windows vista (board, small 3 stepping motors,power supply) working in 3 axis with easy to use software like autocad? ( something like draw and print) My cnc don't have to move fast because i will be cutting most of the time in 2 axis in wood and sometimes in aluminum but i wanna be able to cut in 3 axis sometimes. THANK you

[jsheerin]

You can draw your parts in Autocad.
Then you need a CAM program to translate the drawing into G code. Search this site for recommendations. Vetric makes some lower cost software.
Mach 3 will run the G code file and send commands out to your motors to move your machine. Typically you use the parallel port to do this along with a motor controller like the Geckodrive G540 (if it is appropriate for your motors - it might be overkill if they're small). However if you are dying for USB, you could use a smooth stepper for additional expense. Then you would go from that to the G540.

[linkintiger]

thank you for the info, is there any option in mach3 software that adjust how fast router is moving on axis Z,X,Y?

[oldvan]

The "G Code" programming that Mach3 runs includes a FeedRate instruction,
here is a tutorial on G Code:

CNC G code Tutorial | Lumenlab

[linkintiger]

cool thx