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View Full Version : Ready to start, free CAD & CAM software?



manofgresley
20-10-2013, 05:31 PM
Hi all.

My Milling machine has finally been converted to CNC control, I have tested everything I know, so the 240 & 24 volt side of things seems ok

I back to the dreaded question of software again, I think I have settled on MACH 3 has everyone seems to agree it's the easiest for beginners and comes with excellent support (I will probably need it) I would like some very cheap, preferably free CAD & CAM software until I get proficient at creating drawings and converting them to G Code, I have looked at FreeCad & Draftsight but I prefer 3D as that will be my main interest. Can anyone who has had this experience from novice to user recommend what i should use.

Regards

Ray10467

Jonathan
20-10-2013, 06:29 PM
If you remove the handles you'll get far higher acceleration and probably higher speed than with them attached.

Cambam, CamBam CNC Software (http://www.cambam.info/) is good to start with.

JAZZCNC
20-10-2013, 09:41 PM
Ray,

Suggest you put shielded cable on your steppers other wise your asking for trouble.!!

Agree with Jonathan regards CamBam being good start.

Grit monkey
20-10-2013, 10:29 PM
I'm another complete novice, but came across this cnc4free.org homepage (http://www.cnc4free.org/) through following a link on here somewhere. The guy who's site it is has produced a free e-book downloadable from his site direct, it's a real step by step guide, and you can't really go wrong.
He also has a list of links to free software that will take you from idea to completion of a project.

manofgresley
21-10-2013, 03:13 PM
Thanks Jazz

Already done, i uploaded an old photo.

Regards

Ray

manofgresley
21-10-2013, 03:18 PM
Hi Jonathen

Thanks for the tip, but i am not into speed yet, my machine is only small and the top rpm is only 1,600 so i will not be cutting anything too exotic or doing mass production.

Regards

Ray