Hi Michael & Pete,

Both of those CAM programs appear to only be suitable for 3 axis milling.

One of the first things you'll need to establish is does your mill have 3 axis only or does it have a 4 axis(rotary)
If it has the 4 axis then you'll need a CAM program that can create cutting files accordingly.
Unfortunately the 4 axis CAM programs are much more costly!
In this case for a 4 axis version you're looking at $4000.00
http://www.mecsoft.com/Mec/Store/store.shtml

I already know that Pete wants to make jewellery items with his mill, so a 4 axis CAM program is really the only one that will allow you to make any ring designs properly.

Hope this helps, Colin

Hi Pete,

> I'm beginning to get the picture. I believe that most Cad software does exactly
> what you explained.

Yup! Although there are some programs that do combined CAD + CAM.

> Produce the model or design then the CAM software converts this to codes so
> the EMC in this case can read to make the piece. or something like that???

Hi Michael you wrote:

Yup, that is exactly right - the EMC itself cannot directly take surface data. Instead it takes instructions on how to move its cutting tools ("toolpaths").

The CAM software reads in your model surface data and analyzes it and outputs instructions on how to move a cutting tool to produce that shape.

A couple CAM programs you might check out are:

MeshCAM : http://grzsoftware.com/std.php (pretty inexpensive, looks like it might be pretty easy to use).

and FreeMill: http://www.mecsoft.com/Mec/Products/FreeMill.shtml (A free version of their VisualMill program)

I think that you should be able to use both of these together with MoI. After you create your design in MoI, you save it out to the .stl file format. Both of these programs can take in data in that format.

Great.....as soon as I am get the PC together & configurated as discussed Moi will be my first attempt at Cad design. I'll be sure to check out the links you posted and see what I can come up with for starters.

Thank you for your prompt posting & outstanding leads concerning Moi. I guess the ball's in my court for now.

Cordially,
Pete

Colin Wrote: Hi Michael & Pete,

Both of those CAM programs appear to only be suitable for 3 axis milling.

Hi Colin Welcome aboard! - Thought I would be able to get setup with essentially what I had accumulated over time. In the meantime I recieved a lot of excellent input from those that much more knowledgeable in this area. Let's face it in the beginning I was about half right with a meager arsenal of equipment and no CAD/CAM and OS to run them.

Along came Michael and I once again got a Moment of Inspiration. I really didn't want to purchase another Windows XP OS. May not have had to but recieved the New XP today. I downloaded Mike's Beta MoI to CD. Need to build CAD PC to have 2 HDD's, if I can do it, Windows XP HD & Linux XP HD with the upgraded video card.

What would take You & Michael that are experts in this area, maybe 15 minutes to put together a PC. Wil take this senior senile citizen at least another 2 wks of trial & error attempts and numerous questions to the Forums to complete :).

One of the first things you'll need to establish is does your mill have 3 axis only or does it have a 4 axis(rotary)
If it has the 4 axis then you'll need a CAM program that can create cutting files accordingly. Unfortunately the 4 axis CAM programs are much more costly! In this case for a 4 axis version you're looking at $4000.00
http://www.mecsoft.com/Mec/Store/store.shtml

I already know that Pete wants to make jewellery items with his mill, so a 4 axis CAM program is really the only one that will allow you to make any ring designs properly.

One thing I have to keep in mind that at some point, you're right, I'll have to remember that I'll need a 4 axis CAM program and $$$$. In the meantime those links that Michael posted are looking better all the time.

Thanks for your help & taking the time to post. Looking forward to reading more of the posts concerning MoI,& hopefully will be able to get up an running before next year.

Kindest Regards,
Pete