The Actual, Physical CNC’ing is on hold for a few weeks whilst family come down to visit.
So, doing waaaaay too much research, i’ve narrowed down some software selections,
Here’s some thoughts on the CAM, which’ll probably go out of the window as I’ve still not decided on which CAD software to start putting time into to learn.
this CNC stuff is 90% preparation, design, bugger about. Turns out the fun, actually making physical stuff is only 10%! D’oh!
CAM software – stuff wot makes the toolpaths, in order of pricing
- http://www.cambam.info/ – CAMBAM
- easy to use
- cheap – $190 AUD at time of writing, with a $400 AUD bundle with Cutviewer
- good for 2D, not so good for 3D
- http://www.grzsoftware.com/ – Meshcam
- easy to use
- well priced – $250 USD (around $340 AUD at time of writing)
- great for 3D, not so good for 2D
- http://www.deskproto.com/products/multiax-ed.php – DeskProto
- most expensive, only by a bit – $248 Euros Hobby Licence ($370 AUD at time of writing)
- 4 axis!!
- a LOT more feature packed
- Handles STL models quite easily with wizards!?
Here’s some other peoples thoughts
http://www.factorydaily.com/node/1223089 – quick compare of 3 CAM softwares
http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/01/20/results-from-the-2014-cnccookbook-cam-software-market-share-survey/ – Survey showing top used CAM softawre – Meshcam top, followed by CAMBAM for the hobby market!
