Messages

1

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: CAD/CAM Questions

« on: September 02, 2015, 05:58:15 PM »

Thank you so much Gerry! And yes, the student version is what I'm using as I'm currently a student. Will have to upgrade soon though

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G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / CAD/CAM Questions

« on: September 02, 2015, 05:18:07 PM »

Hi everyone - I realize there are already threads on CAD/CAM but still felt that I should start this one as I have a specific question. Basically, I need to find a combination of CAD/CAM and CNC machine interface controller that works best for me. I have already purchased Mach 3 and so would like to use it. I also have a TB6560 control board. As for the CAD/CAM end of things, my objective is to use a program that is both free, and very commonly used. Therefore, I'm thinking of learning AutoCAD 2015 (as there are many great tutorials online), and then using a CAM software for generating a tool path. With all of that having been said, here are the questions that I have:

(1) Does AutoCad (the free version) generate G-Code?

(2) Assuming AutoCad does generate g-code, which CAM program would I have to use this with to create a tool path?

(3) Will all of this work with Mach 3?

(4) This next question may sound silly, but I am still new to all of this so please forgive me in advance.... But basically, I wanted to confirm my understanding of order of operation. My understanding is that a design is made on AutoCad, then a G-code is provided, and then a tool path is created. Is this correct? Or is the g-code provided after the tool path is created?

(5) Is Mach3 able to generate g-code from imported geometry?

Thank you in advance.

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: First time user of this site with some basic level Mach3 questions.

« on: November 08, 2014, 04:10:19 PM »

1) Yes. You can, however, purchase complete kits that include the G540, stepper motors and power supply.

2) Yes

3) The G540 can control 4 motors, and a few inputs and outputs. It can control many types of machines, provided that you don't need more inputs and outputs than it offers.

Thank you Gerry

William,
Yes to all three questions.

I respectfully advise you to continue researching what you want to do.  Others have been using cnc to cut foam wings for a few years, and many will have posted lots of exact answers to your questions.  A little time spent reading and studying now may save you headaches and wasted funds in the future.  I have never cut foam wings with cnc, so I'm not qualified to advise you with specific details.

Good luck, and enjoy,
John

Thank you John

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: First time user of this site with some basic level Mach3 questions.

« on: November 08, 2014, 04:09:51 PM »

1) Yes. You can, however, purchase complete kits that include the G540, stepper motors and power supply.

2) Yes

3) The G540 can control 4 motors, and a few inputs and outputs. It can control many types of machines, provided that you don't need more inputs and outputs than it offers.

Thank you Gerry

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: First time user of this site with some basic level Mach3 questions.

« on: November 07, 2014, 06:57:32 PM »

Thank you John. Just a couple of questions regarding what you mentioned:

(i) If I go with the Gecko 540, I will still need to buy the stepper motors and power supply separately correct?

(ii) If I plan on running this and Mach3 on Windows 8 64-bit , will I still need to purchase the UC100 LPT-USB adapter?

(iii) My primary use for this product is to cut foam wings using a hot wire cutter. If some day I decide to transfer the Gecko 540 to a machine that can do other CNC functions (eg: laser cuttting, milling, etc..), will the G540 have that versatility?


Thanks again.

6

General Mach Discussion / Re: First time user of this site with some basic level Mach3 questions.

« on: November 07, 2014, 06:00:45 PM »

William,
Sorry, I can't comment on that as I don't have any experience with the TB6560.
John

John - May I ask what control board you are using? I was considering the TB6560 but now that I've done further research, I'm not entirely confident in the unit. I am basically looking to get a control board and stepper motors that will allow me to use Mach3 to cut foam for RC airfoils.

Thanks

7

General Mach Discussion / Re: First time user of this site with some basic level Mach3 questions.

« on: November 06, 2014, 08:51:03 PM »

William,
Sorry, I can't comment on that as I don't have any experience with the TB6560.
John

Fair enough. Thank you for the help you did provide earlier

8

General Mach Discussion / Re: First time user of this site with some basic level Mach3 questions.

« on: November 06, 2014, 08:25:19 PM »

William,
Yes, it does for me.  I'm typing now on a Win 8 64bit laptop with my UC100 connected and running in test mode
(UC100 not connected to stepper drivers).
John

Picengraver,

Many thanks for your reply. So now that I know I can use the UC100 and my Win 8 64-bit laptop, I would like to pair this up with the following: (i) TB6560 Stepper Motor Driver Board Controller, (ii) 4 Stepper motors (for 4-axis). This should work right?

William James

9

General Mach Discussion / Re: First time user of this site with some basic level Mach3 questions.

« on: November 06, 2014, 08:04:58 PM »

William,
I run my UC100 on my 64 bit laptop.  No need to reinstall 32 bit.  That's only needed for a parallel port and driver.

Good Luck with your new cnc hobby,
John Champlain

Hi John,

Thank you for your reply. In my original post I had asked inquired about Windows 7, but would you happen to know if UC100 work with Windows 8 (64 bit)?

10

General Mach Discussion / First time user of this site with some basic level Mach3 questions.

« on: November 06, 2014, 04:19:05 PM »

Hi everyone,

This is my first time using this site, so let me begin by saying that if I am supposed to make this post somewhere else that is better more appropriate, I apologize in advance.

I would like to use the Mach3 software, and I am trying to gather my basic hardware to do this. I do not have a really old computer that has a parallel port, so according to the Mach3 website I need to use an external motion device. I went on e-bay and came across a unit called "UC100 USB motion controller". I have a few questions/comments about using this:

(a) If I go with the UC100 USB motion controller, does this entirely eliminate the need for a parallel port?

(b) I know laptops are generally not recommended for CNC cutting, but I have an old one that is no longer in use, and I can adjust the power settings so that it does not go into hibernate/sleep mode. However, the unit is currently running on Windows 7 64-bit. If I re-flash the hard drive to Windows 7 32-bit and get the UC100, can I then use Mach3 on my laptop?

(c) Does the aforementioned present any problems if my goal is to use Mach3 for 4-axis CNC foam cutting?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

William James