Inexpensive software?

[Greg Book]

I started building a CNC machine a couple years ago. It's mainly MDF, black pipe, a couple drawer slides for z-axis, and uses a StepperWorld 3-axis setup. In other words, its cheap: around $500 to build. One of the problems I had was finding decent software like vcarve pro that does not cost more than the machine itself.

I have KellyCAM, and it controls the system fine, but I'm looking for something to create 3D or 2.5D objects to import into KellyCAM. Does anyone know of inexpensive model building software?

[Dan Hintz]

Blender... can't get much cheaper than free.

[Chris Giordano]

Actually, with just 3 axis I don't understand your requirement for full 3D modeling software. It looks like Cut2D is the lighter version of VCarve Pro and only sells for $150.

Depending on what you're trying to accomplish writing G-code by hand is not all that difficult. I would highly recommend the book: Easy CNC by David Benson.

Here's some references for you to do some additional research:

http://www.cadcamcadcam.com/othersoftware.aspx
http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm#2D3DCADSystems
http://www.rentron.com/Books/Easy_CNC.htm

Chris

[Rich Lester]

Check out the links section at www.cnc4free.org (http://www.cnc4free.org) . There are several good links for extremely cheap (Free) software listed.

[John M Torrez]

If you are looking for a Vcarve like program the cheapest user friendly one I know of is microCarve (Link (http://www.microcarve.com/)). However I think you might have been thinking of Cut2d/Cut3d. For those try CamBam (link (http://www.cambam.co.uk/)) and CNC Toolkit (link (http://www.cnc-toolkit.com/)). CNC Toolkit is one of the ones discussed on cnc4free.org

[Gerry Grzadzinski]

Actually, with just 3 axis I don't understand your requirement for full 3D modeling software.

Why not? I cut this on a 3 axis router.

http://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=137912&d=1263136753

[Dennis OBrien]

That's interesting. How did you do that - by turning and clamping the part four times along the X or Y axis? Kind of a poor man's answer to the lack of an indexing lathe? Maybe we'll call you McGyver;)

Dennis

[Jim Underwood]

That's pretty impressive Gerry.

The "how'd ya do it" factor is huge.

I want to know how it's done also.

[Gerry Grzadzinski]

Cut the blank perfectly square, 1.5"x1.5".

My router has referencing fences at X=0 and Y=0. I use CAM clamps to hold parts to the fence. The table also has a grid of threaded inserts.

First, using the CAM clamps and fence, I "drilled" (plunge with a 1/4" upcut spiral) a hole at each end in the center. Then rotate it 90° and add two more holes.

Then, I bolt it down to my table, and do each of the 4 sides separately. Once it's done, cut off the extra stock with the mounting holes.

I just remembered I cut another one.

Btw, it's modeled in AutoCAD and g-code is from MeshCAM. Exportd 4 separate .dxf files, 1 for each side.

[Jim Underwood]

Thanks for the explanation Gerry. I had wondered if all four sides were the same... Evidently not.

Hey, on another note, the CNCforFree.org link seems to be broken. Is their server down, or have they just gone away?

[Gerry Grzadzinski]

It's CNC4free