Newbie- Recommendations required for new mill and software.

[engdavid]

I am looking for recomendations for a, ready to go, off the self 3 axis CNC milling machine, I basicly want to customize small plastic enclosures for electronics with various holes and slots for jacks and switches, etc. I don't have much experience in CNC, and have a budget of up to $3000 for machine and software.

Also, what types of software will I needs? I know I will need some type of machine control like mach3, but for programming the holes and cutouts I want what do i need? would something like lazy cam be enough or do I need more of a CAD/CAM program? if so what do you recommend?

Please keep in mind that I am learning all this as I go, so programs with short learning curves and good tutorials are much better for me.

[awerby]

You can get a new DSLS (Digital Servo Lock System) Taig/Microproto mill with Mach3 for what you're talking about spending. It's their top-of-the line mill, and it has the spindle speed you'd need for running the small cutters that you'd use for your cut-outs. The feedrates are better than on their standard mill, which is good since holes in plastic enclosures can be cut out pretty quickly. It's also rigid enough to cut metals, should you wish to do that. If all you're doing is cutting 2d holes, then the Lazycam software built into Mach3 should work; if you decide to get into 3d carving, you'll need some other CAM software.

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com