Quote Originally Posted by p1lts View Post
Thanks for the replies guys.
Now for the next question:- I already have access to Autocad and I am pretty proficient with this software. However, what other software would I require? From my limited reading, I think I may need two separate pieces of software. One to drive the mill (Mach 3???) and another to convert the Autocad drawing files into something that Mach 3 can import.
Am I on the right track??? Any recommendations?
Yes, the process is...

CAD creates drawing of part
CAM creates NC control file from drawing
Controller (Mach3 / EMC2 etc) Takes the NC file and makes the machine move according to the instructions therein.

You always need the controller but you can create the NC (AKA gcode) file in a text editor.

Autocad is fine for the drawing, the CAM program really depends on what you want to make and what your budget is. I tend to recommend CamBam which is fairly cheap, easy to understand, will import DXF files from Autocad and has a 40 go full function trial. If you need to take complex 3d models from Autocad and create the NC code directly from them then you may require something (much) more expensive but CamBam is a good introduction to the basic process so time spent looking at it won't be wasted.