If you can ... answer this please

[cncbox]

Hi friends
I'm going to made small hobby cnc router for wood.
I know nothing about softwares that control cnc.
I have some stuff which i think it's usefull somewhat.
a) Three pieces of Superior stepping motor (35 oz/in , 1A , 5v , 6 wires).
b) Regular(Traditional) lead screws(150cm length , 1cm diameter , 1.5mm pitch) .
c) Electronic parts(transistors, resistors,ICs 74LS................).
d) Surplus computer power supply .
e) Computer(PIII 600MHz , 256MB RAM , 2GB HDD , 1.44 flopy disk),XP windows
with standard printer parallel port , serial port ,and usb port.
f) Old computer 286 , 16MHz , 1024 KB RAM , 47MB HDD , priter port)with dos 6.11.
Are these stuff enough?
Can you tell me which softwares i needed to complete my mission?
& how to use these software?

Thanks

[buscht]

At a bare minimum, you need a control program to run the stepper motors.
For DOS, I'd suggest http://www.dakeng.com/ TURBOCNC

If you can write G code by hand, then you can write the NC programs using the DOS editor.

If you need more power or don't know G code, then you need a CAD program and/or CAM program.

Its impossible to answer this question well without knowing exactly what you are going to route; carvings; model airplane parts, etc, etc.

[a1a5115]

Well.....
The motors at 35 oz/in are kinda wimpy, considering the pitch of your lead screw. The finer the pitch the easier ( and better accuraccy) you will have. The computers are fine for driving the types of software that you will need. I would suggest you surf the net and find a low cost kit, and there are lots of them out there, most come with software too. After you get your 1st prototype up and running you could work from there with bigger motors, more powerful drivers ect. From my own experience, there is so much to learn that I never will learn it all. But doing it on your own makes it fun and worthwhile.
Good luck,
Paul

[ynneb]

a) The steppers are too small to use .
e) you could use Mach2 on this computer
f) a good paper weight

Software you need, .......CAD, For doing the design work.
CAM for making the gcode
Mach2 for driving your machine with the gcode.

[ger21]

Those steppers are way too small, for starters.

[ViperTX]

Well you could use those steppers to proof your design....then when you have cash...buy some larger steppers....the driver boards would be the same...if you select wisely. I would not directly couple the steppers to the leadscrew....design it so you can change pulley ratios and use timing belts/pulleys.

[cncbox]

Thanks for all reply
that is great
I think you mean
- Any CAD software to draw something (any free one) to produce DFX file
- Any softwarw to convert this DXF file to Gcode file (any free one)
- At last Any software take this Gcode file and convert it to pulses
(steps & directions) via printer port to controller board that drive stepping motor.

- Controller bord (some ICs and transists ....) to move stepping motor with good power
So can you tell me where are these free softwares (any sites)

[cncbox]

hang

[cncbox]

Thanks for all reply
that is great
I think you mean
- Any CAD software to draw something (any free one) to produce DFX file
- Any softwarw to convert this DXF file to Gcode file (any free one)
- At last Any software take this Gcode file and convert it to pulses
(steps & directions) via printer port to controller board that drive stepping motor.

- Controller bord (some ICs and transists ....) to move stepping motor with good power
So can you tell me where are these free softwares (any sites)

[davidmb]

I think there are some free versions of turbocad out there on magazine CD's
ACE Convertor from www.yeagerautomation.com ( DXF to gcode - free )
LINUX EMC www.linuxcnc.org ( Will run on your PIII 600 - Free )
Simple 3 axis controller www.nc-step.de ( 3d step ) about 100 euros for pcb & components.

The rest is up to you, I have used M10 x 1.5 lead allthread as leadscrews and they seem ok, will probably wear like stink, but by then I may be able to afford something better.