CNC Help?
 

i guess this is a computer based discussion if not just more it where it belongs.

ok a little background... i am a complete cnc cad/cam newb. i used to machine alot but after i had a car accident i gave it up. well i'd like to get back into the field again using a cad/cam program. trouble is i'm not really sure where to start. there are so many programs out there and i'm just not sure which is right.

id like to have a program that i can draw a part in then send it to a cnc mill to start the process. i know there's more to it than that and there's where i'm lost. i've been playing with solidworks and mastercam for drawing parts but i can't seem to figure out how to send it to a mill. i know theres a program that converts .dxf files to g-code then you can copy and paste the code to the mill but id like to have it all computer controlled. i'd also like to have the program show the tool path and cutting progress. any suggestions? thanks

it sounds to me like you're looking for a post processor, of course this is coming from someone w/ a CNC router background as opposed to CNC mills (same creature basically, except routers are for wood) I would imagine that the manufacturer of your mill could hook you up, or are you looking to do some freelance programming type of stuff?

yea id like to do some freelance stuff but id really like to learn the process and be able to use it first.

I'm not to sure about the way mills are going, but alot of the newer routers are moving away from using g code to program with and moving to software based programming, while I think this is a bad move for tyhe industry overall, I do understand it. It allows the the owner of the machine to train employees much quicker because the new software is much more user friendly (not always a good thing) than having to write code for each piece.

At work we use mastercam. Its very user friendly. If you buy a copy of mastercam you get training. So my advise. Go take the 2-3 day training course for the software. the things you will learn in 2-3 days there would take you a year to learn on your own.