cnc control software for windows xp

[Ralph Burge]

Hi to anyone,
I'm new at this so please bear with me. I'm in the process of setting up a desktop system, and at the present time, my main concern is with control
software,using a windows xp operating system. Is windows a good way to go?
Also, is the Mach2 control software good stuff? I've heard that it is.
Thanks,
Ralph Burge

[mmjpotter]

Hi Ralph and welcome

1: What type of drive motors will you use to power your system, stepper motors or dc servo motors.

2: Why use a powerfull laptop or PC with windows XP to do a simple job that can be done with that old 486pc? You've probably got one tucked away under your bench in the workshop (or if you don't have one you can get one on ebay for $30).

[ger21]

If you want to use Windows XP, Mach2 is really the only reliable option using the parallel port. If you're going to use Mach2, though, it really should be with a dedicated computer for running a machine only. You could also use TurboCNC under DOS, and set up a dual boot system with XP. Or something like DeskCNC, which uses the serial port and an external board to provide step and direction, which will run under any windows (98 and above).

[pravin]

thanks

[rykegrey]

What about Delcam, SolidCAM, SmartCAM, GibbsCAM, they all work with windows XP .

[ger21]

Originally Posted by rykegrey What about Delcam, SolidCAM, SmartCAM, GibbsCAM, they all work with windows XP .

They don't control machines. They just create code for the controller to run.

[Mike Stevenson]

Originally Posted by rykegrey What about Delcam, SolidCAM, SmartCAM, GibbsCAM, they all work with windows XP .

Thanks for the laugh.