Program CNC Machine

[chrispcnc]

Hi i bought a CNC machine and i am not able to use other softwares than the one it came with. What am i supposed to do if i want to use a more sophisticated software?

Thank You

[InspirationTool]

Before coffee answer:

Give it to someone who knows that when they post questions on a forum that they have to include enough information for someone to answer it.

After coffee answer:

Depends. Do you have a control that takes step & direction signals? If so, use Mach3. If not, you may have to buy a control as well, and then it matters what kind of machine it is.

-Jeff

[dcoupar]

What machine? What control? What software?

[chrispcnc]

Originally Posted by dcoupar What machine? What control? What software?

I have a new hermes gravograph Trophy master and the software used is gravostyle. I would like to use for example, artcam which is a more useful 3d software than the one they are offering mean.

[InspirationTool]

It Gravostyle will take G code, you are all set. I doubt it though.

If you can find out how the software tells gravostyle to move, and it is step/direction through a parallel port, it should be easy. Use Mach.

If it's not, you are probably stuck unless you want to strip off the controller and connect a new controller directly to the steppers. Probably at least $600-$700 to do it right. Look at Xylotex. Then use Mach for the software.

-Jeff

[chrispcnc]

Thank you for replying, much appreciated, but the problem is that i am not too familiar with g codes and stuff, i got this machine to engrave and then i realised i was able to do 2D wax models, my software only allows me to do 2D. But now i want to design 3D models. Now in the business i am in, artcam is really convenient. So if you can explain to me a bit more in detail where i can find the G codes and how do i apply the software to the G codes and when you mean i have to change the controller, is it the remote control.

Thank you for your time.

Chris

Originally Posted by InspirationTool It Gravostyle will take G code, you are all set. I doubt it though. If you can find out how the software tells gravostyle to move, and it is step/direction through a parallel port, it should be easy. Use Mach. If it's not, you are probably stuck unless you want to strip off the controller and connect a new controller directly to the steppers. Probably at least $600-$700 to do it right. Look at Xylotex. Then use Mach for the software. -Jeff