School CNC Mill

[dpbarry]

Hi all..

I work in a school which has a small CNC Mill called a 'Conect'. I can't remember if it is a 2D or 3D machine as details are at work

I'm not sure where it came from as it was supplied by our education board. To cut a long story short, the Technology Department hasn't been able to get it working properly for one reason or another. The software is DOS based and I hope to try it out myself (IT Technician) as I would like to be able to mill my own bits and pieces for model aircraft and boats etc.

My question is, is the software the key controlling element to a successful CNC Mill. By that I mean, will any CNC Mill software work with a CNC Mill or does the hardware and the software have to be matched. I gather from sources that a milling program called VR CNC MILLING from www.denford.co.uk will work with our mill but getting the powers to part with the necessary money is a problem as the software uses a dongle for security reasons. I'm also interested in how people are controlling DIY mills and wondering if our machine can be converted to work this way..

Many thanks

[txcowdog]

Strip the electronics out of it and upgrade it with new electronics and current software. I have overhauled Boxford and Emco-Maier machines that were sold as training machines to schools and the things were older and used proprietary software for which I could never get any help from the original manufacturers. Trust me... you are better off stripping it down to the steppers and building it up from there.

[dpbarry]

Originally Posted by txcowdog Strip the electronics out of it and upgrade it with new electronics and current software. I have overhauled Boxford and Emco-Maier machines that were sold as training machines to schools and the things were older and used proprietary software for which I could never get any help from the original manufacturers. Trust me... you are better off stripping it down to the steppers and building it up from there.

Cheers.. Thanks for that.

Declan

[NoTech]

I have a Conect CNC router at school that the software went bad, same situation, no support, schematics or hint as to what to do. I can emphathize with you on the budget issue. If you get any help let me know at rlweilert@hotmail.com I would appreciate the fact that those who have the intelligence and the money would think as educators do and try to "poor boy" a happy solution. Good luck!!!