Technology Information

CNC

CNC Control Software is what any CNC machine uses to create the operations within the machine. Generally it is considered to be the “intelligence” that governs the type of operation performance or the overall capacities of the machine.  The software will be how the machine designs, cuts and operates the work that the operator programs into the computer.

CNC Control Software also uses electronic memory modules where information is automatically stored inside the CNC machine. In some case this information cannot be changed and in others, through the use of temporary memory, it can be changed.

Generally speaking the computer is very important to the process of the CNC software because the computer numerical controls are usually outside the machine on a small or large keyboard. The computer is offline when it is performing the programming of parts and the computer controls the other parts that are necessary to create the product, depending on the type of CNC in use.

There are four basic software types that CNC uses:

Manual G Code Programming 
Many of the larger commercial machines use and it is used for simple machine processes. The drawbacks of this type is that it takes a long time for someone to learn how to program G Codes and if you want to use more complicated machines, it is time consuming to learn how to use it. Because if these issues, many operators would rather not learn how to do this and

Offline CAM Programming
This type of programming can be done using a local PC and generally is available for larger machines as well as some of the smaller desktop CNC machines. You will need to have room at the front of your CNC machine because this CNC Software can not be used without that computer. This software can be a bit more troublesome for others to learn and is quite complicated so its good to take this into consideration.

Conversational Programming
This type of programming is a better type of software program for the use of CNC because it is intuitive, which means it is simple to learn by the average computer person and it is similar to the programming in regular PCs. The reason this type was developed was so that it could do both simple and complex parts without having to take so long to learn.

Windows Based Programming
Many CNC Control Software programs are now Windows based which means it works through Windows XP or Windows VISTA. The operator can import CAM and CAD programs and it can import other types of software like dxf files depending on the type of machine being used.

There are so many CNC Softwares out there that you will need to check out because they each work with a CNC sytstem in a variety of different ways.

Also the purpose of each software program is to make life easier for the operator and make the machine do what is required. The easier the software is for the operator to program, the more the machine will be used. The particular software has also been used with CAD and CAM systems which makes this easier for many operators.

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CNC Control Definition
Here is my definition of CNC Control Software and how I like to think about it.  Controlling is using a computer to direct a machines’ functions and motion.  The control phase of CNC is closely associated with the Machining phase.  Why?  You are using a computer to “control” the machining process.  However, there are a few different pieces to controlling.  Here we go again.Let’s break it down into a number of parts and simplify a bit.

CNC Control Software
CNC Control Software is one of the fundamental things you will need to do CNC.  The control software is what interprets the G-Code line by line and sends off commands to your machine controller.

Probably the standard in the hobby market is Mach.  There are different versions: Mach1, Mach2 and Mach3.  Mach is created by a company called Artsoft and has an excellent reputation in the marketplace.  The software is easy to use and very powerful.  The company also provides great service and is always working on the next generation of product.
I have used a couple other control software packages as well like CNC Pro, TurboCNC and Master.  They seem a bit outdated compared to Mach, but serve their purpose and work well.

List of CNC Control Software
Mach 3
TurboCNC
KCAM4
CNC Pro

Control Software Prices:
CNC Control Software prices vary all over the map.  There are some that are free and some that are Thousands of dollars.  If you are a hobbiest, expect to pay somewhere between free and $200.  If you are running production equipment, expect to pay thousands of dollars.  CNC Control software is essential, you need to make the monitary commitment.

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CNC Controller

The CNC Controller generally resides in the shop somewhere near the CNC machine it is controlling.  Control Computers don’t have to be the top of the line, every bell and whistle type of computer.These are what do the work.  Save your money for a good design computer.  You will save much more time having a fast computer for your designing.

A control computer doesn’t have to be that powerful for a few good reasons.  It doesn’t have the workload.  It takes G-Code and turns it into signals that it transmits to the Machine Controller.  Turning G-Code into signals is not that labor intensive for a computer.

I have used multiple types of control computers.  Everything from a 486 DOS running “$30 special” to a modern Dell with Windows XP.  I have yet to try one with Vista.  I will keep you posted.  Generally I like to find a good used computer for a couple hundred bucks, wipe the hard drive and only load the control software onto the machine.You know what you have that way.

There is another good reason you don’t want to spend a lot of money here.  This computer will usually be located in the shop.  Dirt will be located in your shop.  Using logic here, dirt will be located in your computer.If the computer happens to fail, you aren’t out of a lot of money.

Here is my strategy in a nutshell for Control Computers.  The dirtier the job, the less money I spend on the computer.  My plasma cutting computers are bought in the $40 range.They suck up a lot of dust and dirt.  I blow them out frequently.my CNC wood routing computers cost about $100.  My milling machine computers usually are in the $200 range.  Truth be told, they all last a very long time if you keep dirt, dust and plasma smoke out of them.

How is the CNC Control Computer used?
The computer has CNC control software loaded on it.  You start up the control software then load up the CNC Program you created.  When you do this, the G-Code will be visible and ready to go.  Once you prep your CNC Router and zero it out, you can begin your “cycle.”  A cycle is usually completing one CNC Program, which is a machining sequence.  You will also hear the term “Cycle Time” on the professional side of CNC a lot more.  The quicker you can get the cycle time, the more parts you can make.  And yes, that translates to more money.

Back in the good old days of DIY CNC, everything was transferred on a disk.  Now I have seen people include their Control Computers on their home computer network and transfer the files needed wirelessly.  At a very minimum, get a good jump drive and transfer things back and forth that way.

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