Getting started in hobby CAD/CAM/CNC

[SvdSinner]

I've in the research phase of my next project, which I hope to be a CNC machine that will start as a milling machine, and, over time, get upgraded to other things like a 3D printer, 3D touch scanner, laser engraver, etc.

My general plan is this:
Phase 1: Spend <$500ish (hardware/software) on building a desktop CNC mill. Learn stuff.
Phase 2& beyond: As time, money and interest allow, add additional tool heads (3D printing, 3D touch scanner, laser engraver) and build a larger, better, garage CNC machine, with parts made from the first machine.

I've got an engineering degree and am handy with electronics and programming, but I haven't touched a CNC machine since the late '80s, and know nothing practical about using them with modern technology.

I'm trying to figure out (as a complete no-knowledge newbie) what software I need/should use to get involved in this as a hobby. I need cheap/free software, because the vast majority of my budget will be eaten up by the hardware & electronics.

What packages do I need? CAD? CAM? Drivers? (I'm not sure if "tool-chain" is the word for what I'm asking about)

Once I have software, how do I calibrate the ?CAM? software to use my custom DIY CNC stepper-motor controllers? Do CAM packages have tools for that or do I have to write my own drivers?

Also, I'd like two drawing packages: One for me and my adult engineering buddies, and hopefully, a second ultra-simple program for my kids to use.

Sorry that I barely know the terminology to ask questions, but I'm learning and am doing reasearch.

[awerby]

I've in the research phase of my next project, which I hope to be a CNC machine that will start as a milling machine, and, over time, get upgraded to other things like a 3D printer, 3D touch scanner, laser engraver, etc.

[That sounds ambitious!]

My general plan is this:
Phase 1: Spend <$500ish (hardware/software) on building a desktop CNC mill. Learn stuff.

[I'm afraid the first thing you'll learn is that you need more money to make this work, but maybe you're a really talented dumpster-diver, and can find most of what you'll need for free.]

Phase 2& beyond: As time, money and interest allow, add additional tool heads (3D printing, 3D touch scanner, laser engraver) and build a larger, better, garage CNC machine, with parts made from the first machine.

[Let's think about Phase 1 first...]

I've got an engineering degree and am handy with electronics and programming, but I haven't touched a CNC machine since the late '80s, and know nothing practical about using them with modern technology.

I'm trying to figure out (as a complete no-knowledge newbie) what software I need/should use to get involved in this as a hobby. I need cheap/free software, because the vast majority of my budget will be eaten up by the hardware & electronics.

What packages do I need? CAD? CAM? Drivers? (I'm not sure if "tool-chain" is the word for what I'm asking about)

[You'll need a CAD program, but there are some you can download for free. Google "Free CAD download" for your choices. CAM software translates the drawings or models produced by the CAD program into toolpaths that the machine can run, and outputs a G-code file. There are a few free CAM programs, like Freemill, but it only works with STL files, which are 3D. Pretty much everything else you'll find will be a demo version, which will only work for a while, if at all. But there are some inexpensive shareware CAM programs (none of which I'd actually recommend).

You'll also need a CNC control program. The most popular one around here is Mach3, which works under Windows, but it's only free up to 500 lines of code (which go by quickly). EMC2 is free, but it needs Linux. And there are some DOS programs like CNCPro, if you like DOS.]

Once I have software, how do I calibrate the ?CAM? software to use my custom DIY CNC stepper-motor controllers?

[Good question. Presumably, if you're smart enough to build these controllers, you're also smart enough to adapt the software to them, or them to the software. If not, it won't save you much to make them from scratch.]

Do CAM packages have tools for that or do I have to write my own drivers?

[Usually, it's the CNC controller software that interprets the G-code, and generates the step/direction pulses (through the parallel port or a DSP chip) that move the motors.]

Also, I'd like two drawing packages: One for me and my adult engineering buddies, and hopefully, a second ultra-simple program for my kids to use.

[Maybe they can ask Santa...]

Sorry that I barely know the terminology to ask questions, but I'm learning and am doing reasearch.

[Let us know if you come up with any more questions. Single specific ones tend to get more responses, though.]

Andrew Werby
ComputerSculpture.com — Home Page for Discount Hardware & Software

[SvdSinner]

[I'm afraid the first thing you'll learn is that you need more money to make this work, but maybe you're a really talented dumpster-diver, and can find most of what you'll need for free.]

I've got the stepper motors, computers and a rotary tool already. I'm handy with a soldering iron, and have a decent shop out in my barn. There are numerous people who've started with A LOT less than that and kept things under $500.

For my first mill, I'm not even attempting to make a "final product," but to just give myself enough experience building and playing with it that I'll be able to make smart decisions when I create a second mill that will be more permanent.

I'm hoping that Mill #1 will be able to cut the PCBs, and other detail parts for Mill #2, plus be a nice in-house mill for little projects that I don't want to go out to the workshop to run a big machine.

So, one thing I'd like to set as an initial goal is to be able to import a B&W MsPaint image and have the machine mill it at a uniform depth.

Is there a free/cheap way to convert a B&W image into this type of G-code?

[CaptainVee]

I use emc2 to run my mill, inkscape for some 2D drawing and cambam (free version) for 2.5D cam. All are free. I also use alibre for 3D design but to get started there are some free alternatives out there.

emc can mill black and white images out of the box.