New 2 CNC with Questions on EM3116

[DssTvDummy]

Hello cnczone!!!!
I have been wanting to learn cnc for several years but never could find machine I could afford.....well I found a dyna EM3116 and have been doing some reading on the net.....and I kept ending up here.......so I joined......lol.....and dont spoon feed me......I want to learn myself.....I just need pointed in the right direction...

1st from reading most stuff is wrote in Gcode....and the dyna wont work with Gcade....Is this correct?

2nd The machine boots to a DOS window....been years since messing with DOS but it will come back quick with a little jumpstart...

3rd I have a pile of 486s in the attic and should have a baby AT board.....and processor so upgrading it is no prob but I read that without the dyna software it wont run the controllers.....is this correct?

and last....thanks for any help

[Fastest1]

OK so here goes, and dont forget to join the yahoo Dyna group. G code is just a language. DynaLan is some variation of conversational programming. I am not sure 1 is better than the other as much as g code has become more popular. I am just starting to try to understand DynaLan but it seems pretty straight forward. You can use a modern cad program and use the post processor for a Dyna machine. It will write the correct code for the machine. Did you just buy the 1 on ebay? Is 999.00 right now with no bids. Solid machine for sure. My little ones that were built for educational and or small parts are built very well. Somebody around here or on the other site I mentioned will have some info and or software around. So far i have been able to communicate via RS232 and upload or download into or from the machine just fine ( I had problems but just the usual misunderstandings). If this is your first foray into cnc. I hope you like to read into the wee hours of the morning. Plenty to do. Good Luck. Btw you should be able to do quite a bit thru the controller to build and upload files to save. Have you talked to Dyna Mechtronics? Roberto is pretty helpful (he does try to be) unfortunately on the smaller machines like mine there isnt much physical support.

[DssTvDummy]

Hey thanks for the help.....yeh that one on ebay is it.....I own it....LOL......looks like i need the software now.....LOL.....Thanks again

[DssTvDummy]

ok ....read enough to confuse myself.....LOL.....new question.......what software should someone that is new to cnc start working with?

[Fastest1]

Your problem will be with getting a post processor from whoever's cad program that would generate the proper code to communicate with the Dyna. I personally have BobCad and by luck it has a post processor for my machine. ( I have not gotten it to recognize arcs though, it outputs them but the machine doesnt obey them) I will warn you about BobCad, haggle and give them a cricket cell phone number and throw it away after all is working well. Their sales team is the most aggessive in any industry. There are a few cad programs that will have trial periods, CamBam comes to mind. If you are a student then I think you can get some deals too. Probably enough share ware to get started. I really wouldnt worry about that too much until the machine was home and hooked up. Find out what it has and if it works. Then interface with it or gut it, modernize the electronics and run Mach and G code. Have you looked into the Yahoo Dyna group? They are only about 75 members or so but they are specific to Dyna. Keep posting and throw some pictures of the new toy up here soon. Good Luck

[DssTvDummy]

I am waiting on approval on the yahoo group....

[DssTvDummy]

Well its home.....LOL......and its big!.....LOL.....I had to take it apart to unload it.......my motto has always been start big and downsize later....LOL.....any ways I found the dyna 4m software.....I think all I lack is a manual and post processor......and BTW I have been "playing" with mach3 software and it looks fun......

[DssTvDummy]

I think the yahoo group is dead......I was hoping a dyna post processor would be there......here is the beast

[Fastest1]

There isnt much activity I admit but you need all the resources you can get. No doubt a big machine. Were you the only bidder?

[DssTvDummy]

No there was 1 other....

[DssTvDummy]

I have been playing with Gcode some.....its seems easier then some of the other stuff I have messed with.........picking up on it real quick

[DssTvDummy]

still havent got into the group yet.......not much activity may be a understatement....LOL......I dont think there is any......LOL......anyways thanks for the help.......I am still doing alot of reading on CNC trying to get educated