Hi all. I have been putting together a CNC over the past months or so and am just about to get into the nitty gritty of getting the control system put together.
Being familiar with Linux and Ubuntu I'm very keen to use LinuxCNC as the control system and am now looking into what I need to do to get it running for my setup. The machine will be a combined plasma / 2.5D router setup and so will likely need to swap between two different configurations to suit each different use. The machine is home brewed and of a simple construction built from parts from my scrap pile and using belt drive and stepper motors for long and short travel and a lead screw for z height. The steppers are controlled from a parallel break out board running through stepper drivers. I currently do not have THC and do not plan to add it at this stage as I am hoping that it is unnecessary for the work that I will use it for (generally 1mm - 6 mm sheet / plate). I will be using (or attempting to use) a dremel style spindle for routing but also have an actual router if that is not up to the job. I may even take the plunge and buy a proper spindle motor down the track. For anyone interested here's my build thread for the machine - http://www.fabribles.com/forum/build-threads/96-deeemms-cnc-plasma-router ...there's a photo album of the build - http://www.fabribles.com/community/photos/deeemm/album?albumid=16 At the moment I'm trying to get my head around the workflow for using the machine in dual configuration and am very interested to know what others have used for CAM solutions - specifically in regards to plasma. CAD / 3D modelling is not a problem for me but the CAM stage is not something that I am familiar with apart from within 3D printing. I understand the process, but the variety of different solutions and their suitability to plasma / dual use is what I am trying to get my head around. So far Sheetcam looks to be very promising as it seems equally suitable for both routing and plasma. CamBam also looks to be quite good but it does not really seem to support plasma. What I would really like to know is for those of you that have a similar setup (dual plasma / router) what do you use? and why? I am also interested to know what those of you who have a straight plasma setup use as well. I am also open to the possibility that I may end up using a different solution for each machine configuration. I'm sure that this is not an uncommon question, so if there is a noob guide that I have overlooked please feel free to direct me to it. Thanks in advance. Regards Michael Percy AKA DeeEmm dee...@deeemm.com DeeEmm PO Box 2105. Hilton Plaza. Mile End. South Australia. 5033. http://deeemm.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Learn Graph Databases - Download FREE O'Reilly Book "Graph Databases" is the definitive new guide to graph databases and their applications. Written by three acclaimed leaders in the field, this first edition is now available. Download your free book today! http://p.sf.net/sfu/13534_NeoTech _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
