If learning is the goal. I think the route is to first hand-code the g-code files. Then if you want to learn how to connect CAD models to g-code you have no option but to get a CAD system that has native CAM for lathes. Fusion360, Solidworks, and Inventor are options but OnShape and FreeCAD are non-options.
G-code for a mill is so different from g-code for a lathe that you can't use one for the other. The tool libraries alone would be very different. Solidworks is free for EAA members. That could work. Or if you don't care about saving your work, Fusion 360 for free is still a valid opinion. Parts designed for lathes are very simple so who cares about saving the design to .step files? Just use Fusion360 (or Solidworks) On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 12:20 PM R C <cjv...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Chris, > > > well, basically I just want to learn how to use them, by making some > things I actually have a use for. For now on the lathe, I am trying to > make a little shaft for a project. > > Why use CNC? well, because I want to learnhow to use, do lathe work, > using CNC. > > Well, I do/did build robots/rovers and such. and dozens, no, but maybe > 3 shafts that are the same, and if one breaks or so, make another (the > same) one > > > So really it's about me wanting to learn how to do it, preferably with > something like freecad or so. > > > I don't make a living CNC machining, I wouldn't be a starving one, but > be dead one by now. I just want to learn how to do it, because I can. > > > thanks, > > > Ron > > > On 9/22/20 11:21 AM, Chris Albertson wrote: > > What are you doing with the Lathe that you need CNC? The answer to this > > will determine what software you need. > > > > As soon as you get into operations that are synchronized to the spindle > > rotation, like threading you are in need of specialized lathe-specif CAM > > software. On the other hand, if you are making a one-off bushing why > use > > CNC? > > > > One good reason to use CNC on the lathe is for repeatability. Hand made > > parts are only as good as the skill of the operator. If I needed to > make a > > few of dozen parts (for maybe an MIT "mini cheetah" robot) I'd go for CNC > > so I could be certain the parts would interchange. > > > > On Mon, Sep 21, 2020 at 5:53 PM R C <cjv...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > >> Hello, > >> > >> > >> I was away for a while, I saw a lot of replies/suggestions on the > >> "subject". I am going to try and see if I can make the part (a shaft) > >> in freecad, and see what I can do with it. > >> > >> > >> As for the other software, well I won't be making money of it, It's > >> just a hobby, BUT I don't really want to set up another machine or so > >> just for running something else. > >> > >> > >> I was thinking, that since a lathe (well my lathe) has a X and Z > >> axis, if I'd make a part in 'that plane" in freecad, that it might be > >> possible to use that? I saw a suggestion that there might a a > >> part/plugin in the path workbench. > >> > >> > >> thanks, > >> > >> > >> Ron > >> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Emc-users mailing list > >> Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > >> > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > -- Chris Albertson Redondo Beach, California _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
