wich program should I choose

[belgrado]

Hello ,

I'm about to build my first cnc router set up .( and a second small one afterwards )
I've been looking at lot's of websites over the past years .
Mechanically everything is decided but as far as controller software I'm not sure yet .
My main purpose would be making guitars or guitarparts with it .
I was thinking about Turbocnc . ( It seems very universal )
Is this program very reliable and straightforward to use .
Most of the stuff will be 2 1/2 d but later I would try to go for complex surface routing .
I would apprieciate any recommendations.
Thanks

Paul

[ger21]

You can download both TurboCNC and Mach2 and try them out for free. Either one should work fine for you. For TurboCNC, make sure you join the Yahoo group and download the Hot Fixes located in the files section there. Mach2's demo is limitedd to 1000 lines of gcode.

[debogus]

I'm also in the same prediciment.
I have just completed a smallish cnc router.(18x10x2 /dremel spindel)

Im in the process of learning mach2 which is the control software I will probally purchase.
Next is the cam software whats the opinion on meshcam vs sheetcam?

What I can figure out so far is that sheetcam will follow lines and meshcam runs a zigzag pattern folowing the Z.

I intend to cut out letters for signs and also make plaques with a occational model parts( balsa or ?)here and there.

Which one will go farther for me or is there another option ?(cheaply)


Thanks

Dave

[ger21]

Like you said, they are for 2 entirely different things. If your cutting out parts, then you want to use SheetCAM. If you want to carve 3D shapes (or photos), then you would use MeshCAM.

[ger21]

Neither one of these will create the drawings or models, by the way. SheetCAM takes 2D .dxf files, and MeshCAM reads 3D dxf and .stl files. You'll need a CAD package for either one. Before you go with SheetCAM, Mach2 has basic 2D .dxf conversion built in, or you can try ACE converter for free. http://www.dakeng.com

[debogus]

Yep thats what I thought .

I have Flexi sign for my vinyl plotter it outputs dxf and I just picked up design cad 3d max.I should be set then.

Thanks

Dave