Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin Bouchard on May 27, 2012 at 11:28am

EMC2 seems quite capable. Monroe, have you used both? What are the pros/cons?

As far as I can tell, one of the differences is that Mach3 can generate G-code where LinuxCNC cannot.

Permalink Reply by John Holdsworth on June 3, 2012 at 11:34am

Perhaps you should look at some of the other CNC fora.

Mach3 and EMC2 are G code interpreters..they take GCode and drive the stepper motors or servos that make the cutting head move appropriately.

There are three basic functions, CAD, CAM and the Gcode intepreter.

Depending on what you want to do e.g. 2.5 D or 3D you choose your CAD and CAM packages which create Gcode and then give it to Mach3 or EMC2.

This is a well travelled road. I use DevCadCam, DevFusCam  and Profili (because I want to do Aero Modelling orientated CNC) and then finish off with Mach3.

Some other people use Sketchup  for CAD and the PhlatPrinter Add-in  for CAM..EMC2 for Gcode interpreting...mainly because they are free.

Other people use Vectric products for the CAM function.

Real question is what are you guys going to add over all the other solutions?

regards JH

Permalink Reply by John Dell on November 28, 2012 at 11:02am

Just found this group and willing to help with questions along the way.  I have built 3 CNC machines and planning an upgrade to my third as soon as my new workshop is complete.  I built my quad using my CNC.. if you look at my gallery you can see some of the CNC in the background.  Its a 4x4 Bed.

EMC2 and Mach3 are similar products.  I have not spent much time in EMC but use Mach all the time.  They do not generate G code... that is done in your CAD/CAM software or via other applications that can take a model and generate G Code. 

I personally use SheetCam and Vetric VCarve Pro... with VCarve being one of the best products I have ever used.

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Ruwan on November 28, 2012 at 11:08am

What are the machines you built? Did you follow plans from somewhere? 

Thank you.

Ruwan

Permalink Reply by R. D. Starwalt on May 28, 2012 at 4:20pm

Have we considered the interface between PC and 'the machine'?

I am currently using the 'good-ole' parallel port/break-out method. I works but is getting dated.

This requires a parallel port PC. I know the newer softwares support USB so the bridge hardware between the PC and the driver cards should be considered --- unless I missed that part somewhere in all the enthusiasm.

Permalink Reply by Ellison Chan on May 28, 2012 at 4:29pm

So, anyone know whether either Mach or EMC will work with  RS485 or CANOpen protocol?

The motors I'm looking at now has a controller that speaks those.

Permalink Reply by Ellison Chan on May 28, 2012 at 4:50pm

Thanks!  So from my wiki reading, the EIA-485 connected motors can all be connected on the same bus.  Sounds like to connect it to the PC, we need a EIA-485 to rs232 converter, which Nanotech sells.  I'm assuming that both software can be configured to send the right commands to the motors over a serial link, instead of parallel port.

Permalink Reply by Ellison Chan on May 28, 2012 at 5:05pm

Yeah, if we can find one. We might have to go 485->rs232->usb.

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Ruwan on May 28, 2012 at 5:09pm

or we can directly go from 485 to usb (from a google ad.)

http://gridconnect.com/rs422-to-usb-rs485-usb.html

update: I'm sure we could find better places for this.

e.g. http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/USB-RS485-PCBA/768-1043-ND... 

Permalink Reply by Ellison Chan on May 28, 2012 at 7:01pm

Most CNC machines will run on both, so do we really want to limit it?

DistributorPermalink Reply by Dany Thivierge on May 28, 2012 at 7:46pm

cant say I have any preference here.... will have to learn it from scratch so one or the other!  

Oh wait... I prefer Window over Linux ... (I know not a real geek anymore!) dont kill me! 

Permalink Reply by Eoin on May 28, 2012 at 7:21pm

Is this of interest ?

http://www.planet-cnc.com/

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