Archive for the ‘CNC Software’ tag
CNC Software Definitions and Tips
CNC Software is what any CNC machine uses to create the operations within the machine. Generally it is considered to be the “intelligence” that governs the type of operation performance or the overall capacities of the machine. The software will be how the machine designs, cuts and operates the work that the operator programs into the computer.
CNC Software also uses electronic memory modules where information is automatically stored inside the CNC machine. In some case this information cannot be changed and in others, through the use of temporary memory, it can be changed.
Generally speaking the computer is very important to the process of the CNC software because the computer numerical controls are usually outside the machine on a small or large keyboard. The computer is offline when it is performing the programming of parts and the computer controls the other parts that are necessary to create the product, depending on the type of CNC in use.
There are four basic software types that CNC uses:
Manual G Code Programming
Many of the larger commercial machines use and it is used for simple machine processes. The drawbacks of this type is that it takes a long time for someone to learn how to program G Codes and if you want to use more complicated machines, it is time consuming to learn how to use it. Because if these issues, many operators would rather not learn how to do this and
Offline CAM Programming
This type of programming can be done using a local PC and generally is available for larger machines as well as some of the smaller desktop CNC machines. This software can’t be used without a PC at the front end aspects of the machine. This software is also difficult to learn and takes a long time to completely understand for many people.
Conversational Programming
This type of programming is a better type of software program for the use of CNC because it is intuitive, which means it is simple to learn by the average computer person and it is similar to the programming in regular PCs. The reason this type was developed was so that it could do both simple and complex parts without having to take so long to learn.
Windows Based Programming
Many CNC Control Software programs are now Windows based which means it works through Windows XP or Windows VISTA. The operator can import CAM and CAD programs and it can import other types of software like dxf files depending on the type of machine being used.
There are a variety of different ways that a CNC Software can work with your CNC System so its nice to figure out which one will work with you and your preferences for CNC Software.
Also the purpose of each software program is to make life easier for the operator and make the machine do what is required. You want a software that is user friendly so people are more apt to use the software to operate a specific program. The particular software has also been used with CAD and CAM systems which makes this easier for many operators.
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Defining CNC Control
CNC Control Definition
Here is my definition of cnc controlling and how I think about it. Controlling is using a computer to direct a machines’ functions and motion. The control phase of CNC is closely associated with the Machining phase. Why? You are using a computer to “control” the machining process. However, there are a few different pieces to controlling. Here we go again.Let’s break it down into a number of parts and simplify a bit.
CNC Control Software
Control Software is one of the critical things you will need for CNC. The control software is what interprets the G-Code line by line and sends off commands to your machine controller.
Probably the standard in the hobby market is Mach. There are different versions: Mach1, Mach2 and Mach3. Mach is created by a company called Artsoft and has an excellent reputation in the marketplace. The software is easy to use and very powerful. The company also provides great service and is always working on the next generation of product.
I have used a couple other control software packages as well like CNC Pro, TurboCNC and Master. They seem a bit outdated compared to Mach, but serve their purpose and work well.
List of CNC Control Software
Mach 3
TurboCNC
KCAM4
CNC Pro
Control Software Prices:
CNC Control prices vary all over the map. There are some that are free and some that are Thousands of dollars. If you are a hobbiest, expect to pay somewhere between free and $200. If you are running production equipment, expect to pay thousands of dollars.CNC software is essential, you need to make the commitment.
Free CNC Community Site:
If you would like to know more about CNC, head on over to http://www.cncinformation.com
You can join for Free and you get two free CNC ebooks. One is a GCode Quick Guide and the other is the CNC Info Site eBook. You get access to the Video Series…Image to CNC, when you join.
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Learn how to make great CAD models for easy CNC machining
Right now we are going to discuss the initial element of computer numerical control. That element is CNC Design . Before you begin a CNC project, you need to have a plan of action. The design is like a blueprint, you know what you are going to build before you ever build it.
Here are some important elements of design that need to be answered:
What size will it be?
What material will the piece be constructed of?
Who is the customer?
What will it be used for?
Your design can be anything. It could be an industrial part or a work of art.You are only limited by your creative imagination. Many people use CNC every day to manufacture parts. Many hobbyists use CNC every day to create art and various home projects.
Before I design I like to sketch a few ideas out on paper. I like to toy with different ideas to spark my creativity.This is the same as brainstorming. When I really get my juices flowing, that is when my best designs rise to the top. I generally carry around a notebook with me to note designs that I think of during the day.
After I have a few likely suspects, I try to look through each of the ideas to see if I can merge them somehow. Some designs have different parts or components to them.Some components are better than other components. Can I take some of these parts and add them to another design to make it better?Just like editing your writing, looking over your designs and checking them is a very important step in the process.
When you are designing, you are really trying to describe what you are going to build. The more accurately you can do that, the better the whole process will go. Just like a house, if you have a strong foundation, you will have a good house. If you have a solid design, the rest of the process is easy.
Computer aided design
CAD stands for Computer Aided Design or Drafting.Computer aided design was developed in the early 60s. Today it is the premier way to design, develop and optimized products. People use Computer aided design every day to design virtually every product you see. Generally, designers use Computer aided design to design a product, and then produce prints to manufacture that product. A print is a picture of a part or assembly that is very exact. It includes the dimensions and a parts list used to manufacture a product.
Computer Aided Design software packages can generally be broken into two groups. The groups are 2-D drafting packages or 3-D drafting packages.Most every software manufacturing package is moving to 3-D design. 3-D design is really the next generation of Computer aided design. Utilizing 3-D design, engineers can make a model of their product.People can check over the model for any glaring defects before the part is ever produced.
3-D Design
Utilizing 3-D design, engineers can cut down on the number of manufacturing mistakes that occur due to fit up and tolerance issues. This translates into a more efficient operation with less waste for the manufacturer.
Here are some examples of 3-D drafting/design software:
Inventor
TopSolid
SolidWorks
Alibre Design
Rhino3D
2-D Design
2-D design can be very efficient if you need to make a quick part that is not very complex.You can quickly sketch out an outline of an object and convert it over to a computer aided manufacturing toolpath. This is an operation where 2-D will really shine.
Here are some examples of 2-D drafting/design software:
AutoComputer aided design
MicroStation
At some point you will need to use Computer aided design. You will need to take your design and translated it into a print. The best way to do that is to use CAD. You will need to purchase a CAD program of some sort if you are serious about CNC. Many Computer aided design programs have a free or trial period that you can use to evaluate the program. My suggestion is to try a few and then select one that fits the way you design.
CNC info community site:
do you want to know more about computer numerical control, head on over to http://www.cncinformation.com
Join today for free and get to CNC eBooks now. One is a GCode Quick Guide and the other is the CNC Info Site eBook. You also get access to the Free Video Series…Image to CNC Art when you join the community.
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CNC Design
First we are going to talk about the initial element of CNC. That element is CNC Design . Before you begin a CNC project, you need to have a plan of action. The design is like a blueprint, you know what you are going to build before you ever build it.
Here are some important elements of design that need to be answered:
What size will it be?
What material will it be made of?
Who is the customer?
What will it be used for?
Your design can be anything. It could be an industrial part or a work of art. This is only really limited by your imagination. Many people use CNC every day to manufacture parts. Many hobbyists use CNC every day to create art and various home projects.
Before I design I like to sketch a few ideas out on paper. I like to toy with different ideas to spark my creativity. This is the equivalent of brainstorming. When I really get my juices flowing, that is when my best designs rise to the top. I generally carry around a notebook with me to note designs that I think of during the day.
After I have a few likely suspects, I try to look through each of the ideas to see if I can merge them somehow. Some designs have different parts or components to them. Some of these components are better than others. Can I take some of these parts and add them to another design to make it better? Just like writing, editing your designs is a critical step in the process.
When you are designing, you are really trying to describe what you are going to build. The more accurately you can do that, the better the whole process will go. Just like a house, if you have a strong foundation, you will have a good house. If you have a solid design, the rest of the process is easy.
CAD
CAD stands for Computer Aided Design or Drafting. CAD was developed in the early 60s. Today it is the premier way to design, develop and optimized products. People use CAD every day to design virtually every product you see. Generally, designers use CAD to design a product, and then produce prints to manufacture that product. A print is a picture of a part or assembly that is very exact. It includes the dimensions and a parts list used to manufacture a product.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) software packages can generally be broken into two groups. The groups are 2-D drafting packages or 3-D drafting packages. Most all software packages are moving to 3-D design. 3-D design is really the next generation of CAD. Utilizing 3-D design, engineers can make a model of their product. They can then look over this model for any apparent defects before it is ever made.
3-D Design
Utilizing 3-D design, engineers can cut down on the number of manufacturing mistakes that occur due to fit up and tolerance issues. This translates into a more efficient operation with less waste for the manufacturer.
Here are some examples of 3-D drafting/design software:
Inventor
TopSolid
SolidWorks
Alibre Design
Rhino3D
2-D Design
2-D design can be very efficient if you need to make a quick part that is not very complex. You could quickly sketch out a silhouette of an object and convert it into a CAM tool path. This is an operation where 2-D will really shine.
Here are some examples of 2-D drafting/design software:
AutoCAD
MicroStation
At some point you will need to use CAD. You will need to take your design and translated it into a print. The best way to do that is to use CAD. You will need to purchase a CAD program of some sort if you are serious about CNC. Many CAD programs have a free or trial period that you can use to evaluate the program. My suggestion is to try a few and then select one that fits the way you design.
CNC Information Free Community Site:
If you would like to know more about CNC, head on over to http://www.cncinformation.com
You can join for Free and you get two free CNC ebooks. One is a GCode Quick Guide and the other is the CNC Info Site eBook. You also get access to the Free Video Series…Image to CNC Art when you join the community.
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CAD software programs and you
There are multiple Computer Aided Design Softwares available for design. Generally people become familiar with one and stick with it. As far as selecting the right one, my advice is this. Most software companies have a free trial.30 day software trials are the standard. Take advantage of these trial periods and test the software out. Then at the end, decide if you want to try another software or stick with your best one. I would advise you try out at least three different packages.
The one you select will probably have to do with you liking the interface or finding it intuitive. Keep in mind it may work for you now. A simple to use and understand interface probably has some limitations for your designs. The very best programs are complex with many tools that give you the most control.I found out that when I start with a simple CAD program I quickly outgrow it. At some point I move up to the next level of software.This means a higher price as well.
Tools in CAD
Inside of your CAD program, you will have various tools that you can work with. Many of these tools speed up your design times and make you more efficient.Each computer-aided design program will have tools, and then some unique tools that are only available with their specific software package. These specialty tools are one of the ways software manufacturers differentiate themselves in the marketplace.
Versions of computer aided design
There are different types of CAD out there. These are the ones I deal with from time to time. 2D CAD, 2.5D CAD, and Three Dimensional CAD.Here are some fast explanations of each computer aided design type.
2D CAD
2D CAD is generally on the low end of CAD software packages. 2D CAD is most often vector based. The design consists on the X and Y-axis only. The designs are made up of lines, circles, ovals, slots, curves, etc. There is no “depth” to the design. Only the outline of the part is visible, to put it in a different way.
2.5D CAD
All of the same descriptions above apply, but the design is prismatic. By that I mean it has the depth of the material. There are Z levels, but they are on singular planes.
3D CAD
3D CAD is on the high end of CAD software packages. 3D CAD can be solid based, wire frame based or nurbs based. The design consists on the X, Y and Z-axis. The designs are made up of lines, circles, ovals, slots, curves, etc, but can also include Spheres, Pyramids, Torrids, Cubes, etc.There is a depth to the CNC design. The design can be rotated around 360 degrees. The design is an accurate description of what the part would look like if produced in the real world.
CNC Information Free Community Site:
If you would like to know more about CNC, head on over to http://www.cncinformation.com
You can join for Free and you get two free CNC ebooks. One is a GCode Quick Guide and the other is the CNC Info Site eBook. You also get access to the Free Video Series…Image to CNC Art when you join the community.
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