Easiest CNC Controller Software?

[Splinter120704]

Was wondering what is the easiest CNC controller software out there? I have my Gcode files and have Mach 3 and it is not working with my CNC machine at all. Obviously the cheaper the better too lol.

[harley4ever]

I use Dolphin cad cam as my cad/cam software and Mach 3 as my controller software. Not really sure if there is an easier solution. Mach 3 is pretty much the 'it' software as far as controller software. You could also try EMC.

[Fastest1]

Does your machine move at all under Mach 3? With MDI? Are your settings within Mach correct? Not to be offensive, do you have any experience on this machine? I dont know if this is your first project or if you are an experienced machinist or operator. If it is your first, there is plenty to misunderstand.

[aka9950202]

I am using EMC2. My machine is homebuilt and I am as green to this as you are.

My controller was an Ebay purchase and the rest salvaged from printers, side walk and dumpster diving.

The configuration of the parallel port and steppers was a real brain teaser. A friend reverse engineered the controller so we could get the configuration working.

Cheers,

Andrew

[Dennis Bohlke]

I think the easiest software to use with a machine is SuperCamXp.

It works via the USB port and the CamPod that has a parallel port connector on it.

It works directly from DXF files so you don't have to use G-code files.

It is a CAD user interface to the attached machine.

SuperCamXp Graphical Machine Control Program via USB

It also works with G-code files.

Just thought you might like to know about it, it is an alternative to using Mach3 machine control software.

And by the way I am the author of it.

Dennis Bohlke
Super Tech & Associates Main Web Home Page

[Splinter120704]

Yes this is my first project with this particular machine, and by no means am I an experienced machinist or operator. I am a beginner at this new hobby and I hope to be a lot more experienced in the years to come. Also, I did not take it as you being offensive at all, its constructive criticism in my opinion. Since my first post I was able to get my CNC machine to work with Mach 3. It kept on sending me an EStop error that I was able to fix by going into ports & pins and activating the "active Low" option for EStop. after that It was running with my computer.
The only real issue I was having after that was the fine tuning the motors to the specifications that was "suppose to be for this machine" that the seller told me about. When I put those values in to Mach 3, it kept on saying that the motors were maxed, and the motors were "lagging" when doing test dry runs with no material in place. Later after getting some great info from the forums, a fellow board member told me to adjust the motors by manually calibrating the motors with Mach 3, and after decreasing all the below values by almost 2/3 the cnc machine ran smoothly. Below I'll list what the seller told me to put in for the values. I'm running a 3-Axis home built cnc machine that has a working area of 20"x12", The type of motors I am running are (3) MS Motor 23H276-28-4B.

Below I'll list what the seller told me to put in for the values.

X-Axis
Steps Per: 32000
Velocity In's or mm's per min: 13.398
Acceleration in's or mm's/sec/sec: 9.16

Y-Axis
Steps Per: 32000
Velocity In's or mm's per min: 14.382
Acceleration in's or mm's/sec/sec: 9.24

Z-Axis
Steps Per 32000
Velocity In's or mm's per min: 12.42
Acceleration In's or mm's/sec/sec: 9.45


I'll be doing my first cuts today as far as my different projects, will let you guys know how it goes, plus when I get some time I'll try out those other programs that were mentioned previously and let you know how it goes. Thank you to everyone who has helped me with any and all questions that I have had recently.

[lukewarm]

Once you calibrated the motors manually did you verify if they were going the proper distance, an inch = an inch? If you changed the 'Steps per:" line you will probably have problems. Turn down your maximum velocity and acceleration but keep the steps per to avoid following errors (the computer can't output enough step pulses to achieve the velocity you request) and maintain accurate dimensions.

Best of luck,
Jay