Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: jpasquini on December 26, 2014, 02:55:00 PM
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Hi All-
Completely new to MACH3 here. I purchased a small 3 Axis CNC router with the understanding that I could do one or some of the many 3d relief models being sold such as this one on Ebay, along with the MACH3 software. Seller assured me that was all I needed:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Horses-plaster-3D-MODEL-RELIEF-STL-VECTRIC-RLF-ARTCAM-CNC-ROUTER-mill-bas-/321444243258?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad791e73a
Since then I've found out that it appears I also need to put some heavy money down for additional software such as ArtCAM, because the the 'plans' are sold in STL format, not G-Code which is what the MACH3 requires. Possibly, much more than everything I've spent so far.
Is this true, and why don't they simply sell the 'schematics' in a format that the router/MACH3 can understand, why must it be in a different format, requiring you to buy so much more (as the router itself was hardly cheap). It seems like a racket, but I'm sure there are physical explanations.
I liked the idea of CNC routing and working with wood, but buying all this was a stretch to begin with I'm just wondering if I'm out of the game completely, given my income. :(
Thanks-
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http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/11/10/secrets-going-cad-image-dxf-stl-gcode-cnc-3d-printing/
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Thats still another $250.00. I don't know what part of "Is there anything else I need to buy to do this" the router seller missed.........
Its looking like 3d routers are toys for rich folks.
Not sure what I was thinking....
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Google Freemill, ot try the free version of CamBam.
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search for free 3D cad/cam programs there's about 5,500,000 places you can look
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It seems like a racket
Not realy, actualy it's just a sickness which has been diagnosed and called,
CNCOD.........CNC OBSESIVE DISORDER, once you get it there may not be a cure! ::)
The software can cost money, and a lot depending on what you may desire to do, but over time, tooling can be more than the machine.
Welcome to the Hobby and enjoy the learning curve, ;)
RICH
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Try http://pycam.sourceforge.net
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