CAD-CAM-EDM-DRO@groups.io | Newbie's Input

John Delaney

So, step one for me has been to make a decision on software and the
controller. I have a simple part that I want to "mass" produce. If ti
sells, I'm off to the races and I can act like a "Pro". Ha! Two axis
would do it, but I'd like three for the next thing.

Here are my thoughts:

If I've offended anyone (like a SW author), sorry, just telling it
like I see it. Take it as free market survey input. BTW - I really DO
appreciate what it takes to write these systems. I am impressed with
them all. I just need to make a call for my needs.

Visio – Able to save to DXF. I am 99% sure that I can do my part in
this with some creative applications of tools and drilling, etc. I
REALLY want Corel. So this might be the excuse to get it……..:-)

DeskKAM – Seems to be able to process files like what I need to do
the part. Will not import crap from TurboCad8's DXF. But then again I
know that their DXF sucks.

DeskWinNC – Seemed to take the DNC files from DesKAM. Not sure what
else to say about that one.

DeskCNC - integrates DesKAM and DeskWinNC – It's better, smoother
with built in tools in the contour and pocket generators. $350.00 –w-
the controller. So I think I'm out the door for about $2300.00 with
this one INCLUDING MOTORS. Still need cables and other stuff.

Mach2 - looks pretty rough still. Messed up my Windows. Hung bad
importing a .BMP. Hung during it's own regen of g-codes on my big
Dell. Give it about another year. But the inteface is sexy!

EMC – CNC only I think. Still need a CAM program to gen the G-Codes.
Then I am not at all sure I am up to the whole Linux thing. I hate
Bill Gates too but how much work is that really worth?

Simple G has a nice simulator. I'm having trouble figuring out what
it uses as a driver.
Sent them an e-mail about that. But I still need a CAM package.
DeskCNC has both.


Ahha! – Artisan CNC – DOS based. Boy will that fly on my 2 ghz Dell
server! It looks fine. The graphics are less than ideal, but what do
you expect from a DOS program. I still want a Windows based CAM
program to gen the G-Code files and paths. Ahha sells the whole deal.
Software and the final controller.  $984 for the software and the
controller card. Then I still need the Geckos & stuff. Final
controller/driver from Ahha is $1975 + $575 for the 3rd Axis. That's
$984+$9175+$575 = $3534.00 PLUS MOTORS. WOW! Too much for me.



Supertech –  They have SuperCAM CNC software which drive that
parallel port and they have a controller. Cheapest bundle for the
software and controller is $1495.00 for servo control,  $1695.00 for
stepper control.

So the SuperCam demo won't run under XP…………………Want '95 / '98.

After reading their poop sheet I see that it does not generate G-
Codes. Not sure I like that. G-Codes, as funky as they may be, are
standard. If I decide to go have something done at a shop having a G-
Code file might be handy.


So it looks like DeskCNC……………here we go. Probably going to go with
the Gecko's as I see them around a lot.

If I'm being dumb, please let me know.

Thanks,
-jd

John Johnson

#67072

How about TurboCNC?  It runs the machine (drives
Geckos or
what have you). You still need CAD and CAM software too.

Oh yeah, don't be fooled by the low price.

Regards,
  JJ

Show quoted text

On Saturday, November 22, 2003, at 10:59 PM, John Delaney wrote:

So, step one for me has been to make a decision on software and the
controller. I have a simple part that I want to "mass" produce. If ti
sells, I'm off to the races and I can act like a "Pro". Ha! Two axis
would do it, but I'd like three for the next thing.

Here are my thoughts:

If I've offended anyone (like a SW author), sorry, just telling it
like I see it. Take it as free market survey input. BTW - I really DO
appreciate what it takes to write these systems. I am impressed with
them all. I just need to make a call for my needs.

Visio – Able to save to DXF. I am 99% sure that I can do my part in
this with some creative applications of tools and drilling, etc. I
REALLY want Corel. So this might be the excuse to get it……..:-)

DeskKAM – Seems to be able to process files like what I need to do
the part. Will not import crap from TurboCad8's DXF. But then again I
know that their DXF sucks.

DeskWinNC – Seemed to take the DNC files from DesKAM. Not sure what
else to say about that one.

DeskCNC - integrates DesKAM and DeskWinNC – It's better, smoother
with built in tools in the contour and pocket generators. $350.00 –w-
the controller. So I think I'm out the door for about $2300.00 with
this one INCLUDING MOTORS. Still need cables and other stuff.

Mach2 - looks pretty rough still. Messed up my Windows. Hung bad
importing a .BMP. Hung during it's own regen of g-codes on my big
Dell. Give it about another year. But the inteface is sexy!

EMC – CNC only I think. Still need a CAM program to gen the G-Codes.
Then I am not at all sure I am up to the whole Linux thing. I hate
Bill Gates too but how much work is that really worth?

Simple G has a nice simulator. I'm having trouble figuring out what
it uses as a driver.
Sent them an e-mail about that. But I still need a CAM package.
DeskCNC has both.


Ahha! – Artisan CNC – DOS based. Boy will that fly on my 2 ghz Dell
server! It looks fine. The graphics are less than ideal, but what do
you expect from a DOS program. I still want a Windows based CAM
program to gen the G-Code files and paths. Ahha sells the whole deal.
Software and the final controller.  $984 for the software and the
controller card. Then I still need the Geckos & stuff. Final
controller/driver from Ahha is $1975 + $575 for the 3rd Axis. That's
$984+$9175+$575 = $3534.00 PLUS MOTORS. WOW! Too much for me.



Supertech –  They have SuperCAM CNC software which drive that
parallel port and they have a controller. Cheapest bundle for the
software and controller is $1495.00 for servo control,  $1695.00 for
stepper control.

So the SuperCam demo won't run under XP…………………Want '95 / '98.

After reading their poop sheet I see that it does not generate G-
Codes. Not sure I like that. G-Codes, as funky as they may be, are
standard. If I decide to go have something done at a shop having a G-
Code file might be handy.


So it looks like DeskCNC……………here we go. Probably going to go with
the Gecko's as I see them around a lot.

If I'm being dumb, please let me know.

Thanks,
-jd














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Ray Henry

#67074

On Saturday 22 November 2003 11:29 pm, CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@... 
wrote:
Message: 23
   Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2003 03:59:45 -0000
   From: "John Delaney" <john.p.delaney@...>
Subject: Newbie's Input - Software

So, step one for me has been to make a decision on software and the
controller. I have a simple part that I want to "mass" produce. If ti
sells, I'm off to the races and I can act like a "Pro". Ha! Two axis
would do it, but I'd like three for the next thing.

Here are my thoughts:<s>
EMC - CNC only I think. Still need a CAM program to gen the G-Codes.
Then I am not at all sure I am up to the whole Linux thing. I hate
Bill Gates too but how much work is that really worth?Much of the difficulty with Linux and the EMC is created when one tries to 
build and set up the whole system from scratch.  One is not required to 
dislike anyone, billionaire or otherwise, in order to successfully run 
the EMC.  

An install from the BDI-2.20b will take about 10-20 minutes on a $35 used 
desktop machine.  Another hour or so with the INI file for your specific 
machine characteristics and you should be about ready to go.

But there is an even easier way to try it out and that is BDI-Live.  This 
is a bootable CD that comes up with a graphical windowing manager and an 
icon or two that starts the handbook or the machine controller.  This 
will let you see what it looks like, enter a few test programs, and plot 
the tool paths to the screen without doing much of anything.  This 
distribution can also be installed to hard drive or you can edit a few 
files on the CD and make a custom bootable for your specific machine.

Hope this helps.

Ray

John Delaney

#67089

Ray:

Thanks I will check back with the site for that. But you hit the nail 
on the head. I don't want to end up setting everything up from 
scratch. 

I do appreciate the reply. 

Thanks,
-jd

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@..., Ray Henry <rehenry@u...> 
wrote:
On Saturday 22 November 2003 11:29 pm, CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@... 
wrote:
Message: 23
   Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2003 03:59:45 -0000
   From: "John Delaney" <john.p.delaney@v...>
Subject: Newbie's Input - Software

So, step one for me has been to make a decision on software and the
controller. I have a simple part that I want to "mass" produce. If ti
sells, I'm off to the races and I can act like a "Pro". Ha! Two axis
would do it, but I'd like three for the next thing.

Here are my thoughts:<s>
EMC - CNC only I think. Still need a CAM program to gen the G-Codes.
Then I am not at all sure I am up to the whole Linux thing. I hate
Bill Gates too but how much work is that really worth?Much of the difficulty with Linux and the EMC is created when one tries to 
build and set up the whole system from scratch.  One is not required to 
dislike anyone, billionaire or otherwise, in order to successfully run 
the EMC.  

An install from the BDI-2.20b will take about 10-20 minutes on a $35 used 
desktop machine.  Another hour or so with the INI file for your specific 
machine characteristics and you should be about ready to go.

But there is an even easier way to try it out and that is BDI-Live.  This 
is a bootable CD that comes up with a graphical windowing manager and an 
icon or two that starts the handbook or the machine controller.  This 
will let you see what it looks like, enter a few test programs, and plot 
the tool paths to the screen without doing much of anything.  This 
distribution can also be installed to hard drive or you can edit a few 
files on the CD and make a custom bootable for your specific machine.

Hope this helps.

Ray

turbulatordude

#67099

Mach2 - looks pretty rough still. Messed up my Windows. Hung bad 
importing a .BMP. Hung during it's own regen of g-codes on my big 
Dell. Give it about another year. But the inteface is sexy!
Before you give this a thumbs down, check with the mach1mach2 yahoo 
list to see if you have some oddd thing going on.   

Art has been forthright about saying it does not work on every box 
and every widows installation.  So it may be some odd compatability 
problem.  

I have seen posts from lots of people who want features that are not 
on their current program and move up to other ones (some to Mach2) so 
it is working for a lot of people.  This is the first time I have 
seen a review that was not favorable for some core reason.

I did like your extensive review.  nice to see that once in awhile.

And I agree that free market reasearch is valuable in that only a 
newbie can get a first impression.

Dave

#67100

Show quoted text

-----Original Message-----
Mach2 - looks pretty rough still. Messed up my Windows. Hung bad
importing a .BMP. Hung during it's own regen of g-codes on my big 
Dell. Give it about another year. But the inteface is sexy!
Before you give this a thumbs down, check with the mach1mach2 yahoo 
list to see if you have some oddd thing going on.   

Art has been forthright about saying it does not work on every box 
and every widows installation.  So it may be some odd compatibility 
problem.  ----snip-----

I use Mach2 and find it to be the best of the controllers out there at
the present. I do not at all use the CAM functions which is the portion
you are having a problem with. As long as you use a compatible system,
Mach2 is very stable in the role as a controller. 

Tim
[Denver, CO] 
Visual Mill 5.0 Basic at a price too low to post! 

Sherline & Taig products at Deep Discount 
Mach1 & DeskCNC with credit card ordering 
www.KTMarketing.com/Sherline 
Timg@...

#67156

DeskKAM – Seems to be able to process files like what I need to do
the part. Will not import crap from TurboCad8's DXF. But thenagain I
know that their DXF sucks.If I'm being dumb, please let me know.
John, I'm having a blast with TurboCAD8's DXF with my MaxNC CAM &
closed-loop controller setup.  No sucking noise at this end.  On the
other hand, the salesmen who frequent this and related sites didn't
make any money off me either.  Charles Hixon

John Delaney

#67159

John, I'm having a blast with TurboCAD8's DXF with my MaxNC CAM & 
closed-loop controller setup.  No sucking noise at this end.  On the 
other hand, the salesmen who frequent this and related sites didn't 
make any money off me either.  Charles HixonCharles, well, then I could be doing something wrong. Wouldn't be the 
first time. I've had issues with 3d drawings being exported to DXF. I 
sent one to a shop and he could not get it to come into MasterCAM 
correctly, had to do a lot of re-work in MasterCAM. Is it maybe that 
the 3D is not working right and 2D is O.K.? I have version 8 as well. 
I've seen other posts on the TurboCAD site about the DXFs not working 
well too.

What do you think?

#67169

John, I don't know: I'm not a programmer. I've just learned, here or 
somewhere else, that DXF output isn't a standardized protocol and 
you have to find a CAM that matches your particular CAD output.   
This lack of protocol is a cost the hobbiest must bear and is seen 
in the form of purchasing perfectly good software that is not used.  
The frustration is heard here, the successful folks have moved on.

Charles Hixon

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@..., "John Delaney" 
<john.p.delaney@v...> wrote:

John, I'm having a blast with TurboCAD8's DXF with my MaxNC CAM & 
closed-loop controller setup.  No sucking noise at this end.  On the 
other hand, the salesmen who frequent this and related sites didn't 
make any money off me either.  Charles HixonCharles, well, then I could be doing something wrong. Wouldn't be the 
first time. I've had issues with 3d drawings being exported to DXF. I 
sent one to a shop and he could not get it to come into MasterCAM 
correctly, had to do a lot of re-work in MasterCAM. Is it maybe that 
the 3D is not working right and 2D is O.K.? I have version 8 as well. 
I've seen other posts on the TurboCAD site about the DXFs not working 
well too.

What do you think?

John Delaney

#67184

Charles, thanks for the input and for the ref to MaxNC. It all helps.

-jd

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Newbie's Input - Software