CNC Router Design Using 3D CAD Software

[AndyUK]

Hi Steve,

I suggest you pick a software tool, then watch some YouTube tutorials and follow along. You can learn a lot that way!

I personally use SOLIDWORKS because it's what I'm used to, but learning Fusion 360 will pay dividends later when you want to design things to cut on the machine, as fusion can do the CAM as well. Fusion would get my vote for anyone with no previous experience. The learning curve will be steep but worthwhile, and you have experience with another Autodesk tool which will help.

Usually you can download models in any format the software accepts, and bring it into an assembly, which is an arrangement of multiple parts. When you save it, it transfers it into its preferred format. With profile rail, you might just find they're in DXF which is a 2D drawing which you can just extrude to the desired length.

Hope that helps, good luck and we're looking forward to seeing the results!