New to CNC.Should I buy a Cad/Cam Package or learn G-code???

[antelnation]

Hi everyone,
I purchased a used Taig CNC mill about 3 weeks. Last night I finally got it working properly using Mach3 and was able to "jog" along some aluminum to take a test cut. Needless to say, I know very little about CNC (just what I l have learned in the last 3 weeks setting up the mill).
So, now I guess I need to learn how to make parts using G-code. My question is should I learn G-code or can I just buy a cad/cam package and learn how to use that to make parts. I am a graduate student so I can get the student price for TurboCadCam for 299 but I am not sure if this software is good???
Any advice on what I should do would be appreciated. Heck, any advice in general on what to do next would be helpful!!! I am looking at my mill right now and I am thinking "What do I do next? How the hell do I make a part?". Thanks in advance-Josh

[ger21]

You should learn g-code, whether or not you use a CAM package. Makes it a whole lot easier to troubleshoot. Whether you need CAm depends on how complicated your parts are, although a good cam program makes even simple parts faster than hand coding.

[Switcher]

I'll 2nd the "learn g-code", it will make your life easier.

You don't have to know all the codes, you should at least learn how to use the basics.

A few basics:

G00 Positioning in Rapid G01 Linear Interpolation G02 Circular Interpolation (CW) G03 Circular Interpolation (CCW) G04 Dwell G17 XY Plane G18 XZ Plane G19 YZ Plane G70 Inch Units G71 Metric Units G90 Absolute Positioning G91 Incremental Positioning F Feed M30 End of Program, Reset to Start

This site might help, it includes both g-code & m-code . Click on each of the codes that have links, when the next page loads, place your cursor over the image at the top of the screen, it shows an example of the code in action (for most codes).

Remember m-codes are "Machine Codes", not all machines are equal, most share the basics like M30, etc...


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[Geof]

Originally Posted by antelnation .... So, now I guess I need to learn how to make parts using G-code. My question is should I learn G-code or can I just buy a cad/cam package and learn how to use that to make parts....

Are you doing this for a hobby or intending to go into CNC as a career?

If it is intended to be a career my suggestion is learn G-code very completely and then move into CAM. I think to use CAM effectively you do need to have a good grounding in G code and also in choosing a particular tool path, type of tool or sequence of operations. You also need to get experience in how the machine responds and sounds under various conditions and how you can interplay between speed, feed and depth of cut.

You don't mention what your field of study is but if it is nothing to do with machining or engineering it will probably be worthwhile taking some courses in material properties and kinetics and dynamics. Nothing too deep but enough that you can appreciate the different properties of different materials; and also the similarities.

If you are simply doing it for a hobby all this is probably overkill.

[tikka308]

I'll go against the grain here and say as a similar person (new to CNC, just bought a TAIG), I was happy to go CAD/CAM but pay attention to the g-code for basics. I'm only in this for a hobby right now - and only two months after receiving my TAIG, I am making great progress!

I've been documenting much of my work, learning, etc with pictures & videos at www.nyccnc.com - please feel free to check it out!

[antelnation]

It is just for a hobby. I guess I will learn the basics of g-code and maybe write a few simple codes so that I can get the hang of it. Once I have the basics down, I hope to be able to use cad/cam to make more complex parts.
I will try to write some very simple code this weekend and see how it goes....maybe a square pocket of something. Thanks for the advice-Josh

[yohudi]

Originally Posted by antelnation It is just for a hobby. I guess I will learn the basics of g-code and maybe write a few simple codes so that I can get the hang of it. Once I have the basics down, I hope to be able to use cad/cam to make more complex parts. I will try to write some very simple code this weekend and see how it goes....maybe a square pocket of something. Thanks for the advice-Josh

Hi there,

my own two-penneth is that it's possible and I think wiser to go for a little of both. There's a lot to be said for a CAD/CAM approach, especially as you can at least try it out with FREE software and produce excellent results.

have a look at http://cnc4free.org for a range of free CAD/CAM solutions and info.

However, there is also MUCH wisdom in suggestions of developing the ability to look at the GCode and spot potential problems.

I'd say a little of both would probably see you right. Some parts can't practically be coded by hand.. so you would need to use a CAD/CAM setup in those instances anyway. It depends a lot on what kind of part you need to generate the GCode for as much as anything else.. but skills are ALWAYS worth developing.. they help a lot with understanding the task etc..

Hope this helps

Danny (aka Yohudi)

[pointcloud]

I think you should figure out what controller software you will be useing....

Like Switcher said G70/71? Well in Mach 3 it is G20 inch and G21 metric....

Also you should know G10 G08 G09 M03 M05 M08

Good Luck

[Boatcompany]

I use Rhino3D to draw and Bobcad-cam V22 for tool paths with Mach2 machine control. It works so well I quit using Mastercam 7.2. You dont really need to know g-code to make parts with this kind of system. Bobcad-cam can draw simple parts. V22 Cam tree work very well for organizing tool paths of more complex designs.