DIY Router Control/GCode Generation?

[IAD]

Hello...

I'm a rank newbie here, but having read up a bit, I've started trying to come up with the list of software I'll need to go from a Rhino 3D model to Gcode to a parallel-port DIY router...

At this point, I'm looking at using Rhino3/4 to model, madCAM to generate the toolpath/Gcode, and then MACH3, to run the router.

Would this combination work, and are there other options I should be aware of? (I'd prefer to keep things as inexpensive as possible. At the same time, I will be milling [flying] model airframe components, so accuracy is a big plus.)

I did look at Freemill, but as has been pointed out repeatedly, it's pretty rough, and doesn't run reliably on my machine here, anyhow.

Thanks!

~Luke

[ger21]

There are a ton of options available for CAD/CAM, from free programs to tens of thousands.

If you're cutting mostly balsa and ply sheets, take a look at SheetCAM, at www.sheetcam.com It will work with any inexpensive CAD program that can save a .dxf (all of them). DesignCAD and TurboCAD are two good ones. You can pick up slightly older copies (new in the box) for about $20-$30 on Ebay. Both are under $100 for the current versions.

If you need 3D, look at MeshCAM, www.meshcam.com

I always recommend to download the trials, learn how to use them and know what you're paying for. I've seen a lot of people pay for CAM software that they don't use. Do a lot of research before you spend your money.

[IAD]

Well, I definitely need 3D. Most of my work will be carving fuselages/wings out of blocks of foam. (Compound curves, and what-not.)

I saw MeshCAM, and while it looked good, I like the idea of a Rhino plugin, since practically all the modeling I do is in Rhino3.

I will of course be experiementing with the demos, and what-not, but hearing other people's experiences is very helpful for me, as well.

~Luke