Generate Gcode Meshcam screen per my review Regardless of what style or design program you choose, if you’re not familiar with the format, plan to spend a decent amount of time figuring out how to generate your parts. I find Pro/E (now Creo) frustrating as well at times, but I’m paid for that frustration. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled or brainwashed by quite a few years of working with Pro/E, and Solidworks to a much smaller extent, because I found Sketchup frustrating.
If you want to get into 3D design, Sketchup seems to be more-or less the standard for casual makers/hackers/etc. I’m very familiar with AutoCAD, and it’s available for Linux, Mac and Windows. If you want to do something more dimensionally-driven, my preferred tool is Draftsight. Inkscape is a really cool program for generating more artistic pieces, like this random tree that I cut a while ago. To generate my part drawings, I’ve experimented with Inkscape, a vector graphics editor, and Draftsight, which is more or less free AutoCAD. Design Your Part Design courtesy of ESTLcam and my idea to shrink the knife block to make a “warrior dart holder.” There are free and paid versions of each of these. With a CNC router run by a computer (as opposed to a dedicated controller), you have three parts in your tool chain: Computer aided design (CAD), computer aided manufacturing (CAM), and a machine controller package. Read on to find out all you need to know the basics of what goes on behind the scenes to “magically” produce interesting parts. Setting up the machine can be a challenge, as well as figuring out what your machine is capable of, but one thing that might slip peoples’ minds is the software involved. As described in this post, my machine is a Zen Toolworks model, but there are certainly other options to visit like this Probotix V90 model noted recently in this post.Īlthough any number of CNC router models look great in videos and pictures, rest assured that even the best machines require some patience to get one running satisfactorily. Being familiar with a manual milling machine, the concept seemed similar, and the price of these is quite reasonable when compared to some other tools. My current tool of choice is a CNC router. Excellent results can come from a small CNC router, but don’t forget the software!ĬNC tools, whatever their flavor, can greatly enhance your “making” or DIY ability.
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