Research question

[Chunky]

How many individual software applications are needed to run a CNC router (not including DOS or WIN)? Thanks

[Al_The_Man]

Not quite sure what you question is, but the bare minimum is a motion control program that say, accepts G,M code programming, other than that a Cad/Cam (Computer aided design/ Computer Aided Manufacturing) program is often used to produce the G code from either its own graphics drawing package or a third party one like AutoCad.
With no Cad/Cam program then you generally would have to write the G code yourself.
Al.

[Chunky]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Man Not quite sure what you question is, but

Just need to know what to budget for. One, two, three packages? And also what to shop for. This is painful for me but I actually think it's starting to come together. Does the CAM write the g-code? I'm thinking it works as follows: CAD- program for drawing the part to be machined; CAM- converts the picture into a list of instructions (g-code) and sends these instructions to a MOTION CONTROL PROGRAM. From there it goes to the breakout board. So that would be three programs even though one or more of them might be included in another of them. Is that anywhere near correct? Gonna have a drink.

[Al_The_Man]

If you already have a Cad program then some people bypass the Cad portion of their Cad/cam by importing the graphics, the Cam portion calculates the tool paths for outlines and pockets etc and produces a g code using a 'Post Processor' geared to your particular make of machine.
For the very simple parts, you could write it by hand.
Al.

[bkukowski]

i'm kind of a newb too and was wondering, I know mach2 can import dxf's to gcode but can turbo cnc do this too? I guess I could use the ace converter but was curious anyways (turbo cnc is cheaper) Also what are your thoughts (i'm building a mdf cnc router using a dremel and hobbycnc.com kit) Mach2, or Turbo CNC, or another cam prog?

[Chunky]

Originally Posted by bkukowski Also what are your thoughts (i'm building a mdf cnc router using a dremel and hobbycnc.com kit) Mach2, or Turbo CNC, or another cam prog?

The one thing I've yet to figure out about this forum is how to tell who someone is addressing. I'm a poor one to ask anything at this point. Still trying to figure it out myself. Learning a lot though. Gonna go now and look at those kits you're talking about.

[bkukowski]

basically I was asking anyone who has used these programs. As for the hobbycnc.com kits, they come very highly reccomended. for my router, I am buying their full kit (cap fuses, etc) with 3 127 oz-in motors. You will need soldering skills and knowledge of electronics. You must purchase a transformer with it. He reccommends using one from www.alliedelec.com (the model numbers are listed on his site) I am also adding my own e-stop circuit and a few other things. what kind of cnc are you building?

[sol]

Originally Posted by bkukowski what are your thoughts Mach2, or Turbo CNC, or another cam prog?

Mach2 is very popular with the DIY guys and it can import DXF files and generate their g-codes. It is Windows based.

TurboCNC is nice because it is DOS based and the source code can be customized, also it only requires an old 486 computer. It does not do Windows so its interface is a bit of a blast from the past, but it is less than half the price of Mach 2. Can't generate any g-code though.

I'm a registered user of both and used TurboCNC first but was annoyed that it wouldn't do constant contour, meaning it makes each cut individually so it moves in a pulsing or jerky manner. This is really pronounced when doing long polylines. If your machine is not real tight, meaning it is your first home-built, this stop start can telegraph through to the work and give burned or scalloped edges.
Mach2 looks ahead with constant contour, therefore cuts faster and smoother.

As far as I can recall there is only one user here who prefers TurboCNC over Mach2 and he claims that is because he likes to customize the program. Most others who use it give reasons of price and ability to use that 486 that was otherwise dumpster bound.

[sol]

Originally Posted by Chunky Just need to know what to budget for. One, two, three packages? And also what to shop for.

Chunky was your question answered? Al the Man said you were right in so many words but I know when this was new to me it took a while to wrap my head around the replies.

There are lots of ways to get from image to cut and DIY folks often start as cheaply as possible.

They (1)draw with an old Corel Draw ($25 Ebay) or A9CAD (free) both of which can export DXF that
(2) can then be turned into G-code with Ace Converter (free).
(3) They then use TurboCNC ($60) or Mach2 to control the CNC machine. So for less than $100 they have a limited but functional suite of software.

But then the prices take off fast.
ACAD and Rhino seem to be popular for CAD but there are tons of others.
Meshcam and Sheetcam are low cost ($150) for the CAM portion of the process but there are more robust and expensive programs of course that quickly go into and above 4 figures.
As before stated Mach2 is a popular motion control program and is generally agreed to be one of the best values out there.
So the budget can be from a meal and movie to a car, a nice car.

[Chunky]

Originally Posted by sol used TurboCNC first but was annoyed that it wouldn't do constant contour, meaning it makes each cut individually so it moves in a pulsing or jerky manner. This is really pronounced when doing long polylines. If your machine is not real tight, meaning it is your first home-built, this stop start can telegraph through to the work and give burned or scalloped edges. Mach2 looks ahead with constant contour, therefore cuts faster and smoother.

Now that... is what I call a valuable post. It's so hard to get information that specific while also understandable. Love it. I don't understand how the software can know to smooth out a line. But if it can-- I wouldn't dream of settling for the other. I'm not a software snob. I just want the cuts to be nice. Otherwise what's the point? I can make jerky lines without a CNC.

[Chunky]

Originally Posted by sol There are lots of ways to get from image to cut and DIY folks often start as cheaply as possible. They (1)draw with an old Corel Draw ($25 Ebay) or A9CAD (free) both of which can export DXF that (2) can then be turned into G-code with Ace Converter (free). (3) They then use TurboCNC ($60) or Mach2 to control the CNC machine. So for less than $100 they have a limited but functional suite of software.

Ah Hah! A sequence of stuff. That's precisely what I've been trying to get. Now I can fill in the blanks on my diagram to help others. Then, over time, I can decide if I want to spend up for better. Thank yooooou!

[CNCgr]

Originally Posted by Chunky I don't understand how the software can know to smooth out a line. But if it can-- I wouldn't dream of settling for the other.

It doesn't smooth the lines. It smooths the feedrate while cutting those lines.

TurboCNC treats each move as if it was the last one: ramp the speed up, cut with constand speed, ramp down, stop. Repeat.

Mach2 reads the next move while doing the current one, so if the next one is not backwards or in a very big angle, it just gets on with the next move without slowing down or stopping.