OK, Is turbocnc any good?

[vacpress]

Hello.

I am building a system specifically to run TurboCNC.. However, I have begun seeing posts about the software having trouble handling arcs..

I am curious: all of the variables aside (reduction, TPI, etc)... is the software capable of driving a capable system?

would it be dumb to have a set of geckos driving 1160oz/in steppers on 10TPI ballscrew?


I want to use turbocnc so i can run it off a P233 laptop which i have built into an industrial-type enclosure...

Whats the deal?

[Ed_R]

Are you going to write GCode manually or are you going to use a dxf to gcode converter? Not many converters use the arc codes.

[ger21]

TurboCNC seems to be fading in popularity. Most likely due to the lack of updates, and VERY slow development. I started building my router almost 3 years ago (). At the time, TurboCNC and Mach1 were equally popular. TurboCNC was saying that the next feature added would be radius compensation (G41,G42) followed by constant velocity. 3 years later and seemingly very little progress. I just threw away a PC I had planned to use for TurboCNC. And bought a $50 PC to run Mach3 on Ebay.

Oh yeah, the arcs. I see the same posts pop up periodically, but I don't know for sure if it's a real problem or not. I know a lot of people still do use TCNC, and you'd think if there were a real problem, more people would be screaming.

[rippersoft]

I think that some of the problems are coming from folks doing comparison of what their machine is doing at home compared to what they are getting at work. The algorithm for cutting a true circle is really complex when you take in axis movement.

I think that the best way to see whether or not you will have a problem is to setup test files to cut squares, cut circles, cut arcs, drill patterns, etc. Run each one and measure.

Sometimes, the issue is the machine. Mine runs TCNC on a P3 celeron and I have been tuning the machine to take out jitters, etc. I have noticed that the gcode itself can make a tremendous difference in the quality of the cutting.

If you are constantly cutting small areas with a DXF to gcode convert of text, then the quality isn't that good. DeskEngrave produces code that is well ordered and reasonably efficient. The cut is much better in that the arcs of a letter C or O are smooth.

How many control programs like Mach, OneCNC, etc come out of the box and control with no issues? All of them?

Scale your software to what you are producing. Are you cutting for NASA or just making signs? Has a great impact on your pocketbook.

RipperSoftware

[ger21]

I think what Vac is referring to , is that you see a lot of posts about feedrates being incorrect during arcs. It has nothing to do with quality of cut.

[Bubba]

All, I can say is that I have been using it since V3.x and it does what I want (other than operator errors). Yeh, its not a "production" machine, but then again, I don't have production$$$$$ in it either. What I really like about it is:
1. It is NOT windows based. (I don't trust windows for timing based systems)
2. Having reged it, I can and have customized it to suit my purposes.
3. I can use "cast off" computers because it is dos based.
4. Setup is easy.

Bottom line, is IF I had to start over again, I would still go with TurboCnc
There are things I would like to see like look ahead buffer, but I am willing to wait and work with Dave and the group.

[vacpress]

i want to use it to a) route PCB boards b) do simple 3D machining of plastics and woods\etc with gcode from mastercam or something similar c) cut 2.5D dxf patterns into plexiglass and maybe aluminum..

Sorta simple.. cept the 3D stuff...

but anyways, i want it to be fairly fast... the combo of motors and leadscrews ive got is capable of fast speeds, which is preferable for the 3d into modeling materials and for locating holes to drill for PCB making...

thanks...

[CJL5585]

Vacpress:

Many people are impressed with software that has a lot of bells and whistles. TCNC does not have any. However, TCNC will machine anything 2 1/2 D that you can create the g-code for.

I have a 2 1/2 D carving on the site under DIY CNC Machines that was cut using TCNC at 60 IPM.

For the money, you can't go wrong. You can download and try it out for free, and if you don't like it.........get something else.

I second Bubba's opinion on Windows based systems. There are too many drivers, ini, dll, vxd, and so forth, all eating up cpu time. No wonder it takes a really high speed computer (1+ GHz) to be able to machine at 60+ IPM.

My wildest fantasy is that someone will create a simple DOS like operating system that will have all the features of a Windows type system in true DOS mode.

Just my 2 cents.
Jerry

[Ed_R]

TCNC does 3D as well as the next software.

[RotarySMP]

I think the big appeal of TurboCNC (except that it is shareware) is that it runs on any thing with a pentium 1 or above. DOS is a real breath of fresh air. You turn on the machne and it boots in seconds. When you are finished you close TCNC and hit the off button on the machine. I have no need to surf the web on my lathe.

For a lathe, you have a really easy path to threading.

TurboCNC can run up to eight axis.

It is true that the guys have been talking of CVC and cutter radius compensation for a few years, but these are just guys like us, who have other things going on in their lives beyond TCNC.

There is really no risk here. It is free to try, will run on a dumpster PC (or even better laptop), runs the same g code as everything else (except the G40 CRC Stuff) has the same LPT interface as all the others, and if you don't like it, you have no strong reason to have to stick with it.

[Bubba]

Mark,
I don't understand your comment (except it is shareware)? In the case of TCNC, it is FULLY functional when you download it. No features are crippled nor is there anysort of time lock or limitation of file size it can run etc. Payment give you acess to the source code and what other product in this class will allow you acess to the source code at any price?

[scratch_6057]

Originally Posted by RotarySMP I think the big appeal of TurboCNC (except that it is shareware) is that it runs on any thing with a pentium 1 or above.

I kind of read that statement as the fact that TCNC being
shareware and not some $$$ purchased software, IS one
of the "big appeal" points.

I did not get the impression he was saying that the shareware issue was a negative point.