Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: jhb_in_seattle on March 13, 2007, 04:28:51 PM

Title: A very NEWBIE question
Post by: jhb_in_seattle on March 13, 2007, 04:28:51 PM

Hello,
  I've been a long distance admirer of lathes and milling equipment. With the birth of my daughter, I find addressing those old desires again.

With that motivation, I started looking at some low cost options in the construction of a 3-axis CNC milling machine. I have only 3 questions, for now, to ask.

I've noticed that there are many free CAD and CAM options. My concern is with conductivity. Do all CAD programs provide a standard file type that all CAMs can use?

Do all CAM programs communicate through the NMC protocol?

G-Code is generated by the CAM process and that is sent to the motor drivers?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: A very NEWBIE question
Post by: Graham Waterworth on March 14, 2007, 05:09:55 AM

All CAM programs store files in there own format, but most will import/export the standard file types e.g. iges, dxf.

The g-code generated must be formatted to the requirement of the controller (Mach) this is done by the post processor within the CAM software.

The g-code is then loaded into Mach and Mach converts the code into step/direction pulses and on/off signals.

Graham.