BIG Trev Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 I'm hoping to build myself an OxMetal or Workbee screw drive CNC router in the not too distant future big enough to take a full 8' x 4' sheet. I'll use it to make cabinets and playfields for future homebrew pinball machines. My question is, What's the best software to use for A) creating the drawings B) producing the Gcode and C) transferring the file to the router? Remebering that I'll need to do recesses for things like inserts and lcd screens. Cheers Trev. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_AVD Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 At work I believe we use Qcad for the 2D drawings, CamBam for the mill file and Mach 3 for the CNC controller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG Trev Posted July 20, 2018 Author Share Posted July 20, 2018 At work I believe we use Qcad for the 2D drawings, CamBam for the mill file and Mach 3 for the CNC controller.I'll have to have a look into those. Cheers Trev. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redback Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 I have no idea where it is, but I got a copy of mach3 with some Chinese driver I bought. That is a big screw drive system, looking forward to following the build. My mechmate build has been on hold for ages (years) as other things keep coming up. Regards, Red Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators furballx Posted July 21, 2018 Administrators Share Posted July 21, 2018 Autocad DXF is a standard file format for many uses in design Trev. Have you done CADD before? For simple 3D use (recessed inserts etc) I could not see Autocad being a problem to use. There are thousands of clips on YouTube detailing every imaginable scenario. Both times I have had to supply CADD to someone for CNC it was OK in .DXF format. Not sure how they got it into machine code from there though. Check your PMs and give me a call. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazarus Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 I use solidworks to design all my CNC projects. 3D models will identify errors in your plans. Export as DXF files into the http://www.vectric.com/ suite of products to generate tool paths and g-code. You will need Mach3 to run your machine. Takes a bit of configuring but if you've come this far, it shouldn't be too difficult. Here is an example Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jockdownunder Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 I design cabinetry and program a variety on CNC routers at work . I would be really interested in building a D.I.Y CNC router myself, hope you post some progress with this . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now