What do you use?

[My 2 Cents]

For all your drawings.
What do you use?
Whats your favorite?

At work I have Solidworks and at home I have Autocad 06.
Have to say Solidworks is my favorite cause I don't have experience with any other programs.

Anyone try Rhino? A friend from highschool likes it, and it looks cheap. Don't think its to much of a engineering program but it looks like it can do some fun things. http://www.rhino3d.com/

Thanks,
M2C

[DeadTom]

At work for the past 19 years we have used Microstation, of course it has changed quite significantly in that time. We use it for designing roadways and roadway details. I have experience with AutoCad through version 14 and a mulititude of inexpensive CAD programs. I would love to try Solidworks or Rhino.
I am attaching some older photos of my DIY JGRO CNC machine and the control box I built from a kit and the stepper motors that are now mounted on the machine. I am using MACH3 software; I start with a 2D drawing and then export that to gcode and add tool paths and such and as of yet I have not cut anything yet, still tinkering with it.

DT

PS - www.cnczone.com - a great site

[Prontow]

I have just started to learn Solidworks, and OMG!!! I cannot believe how powerful it is.
For my CNC operation I use ACAD 2000 for my drawings then inport the 2D drawings into D2NC. D2NC converts a DXF file into GCode. I am running the full version of Mach3 to control my machine.
I converted a Grizzly X2 mini mill into CNC, with an enclosure, spindle and coolant control.
Hey DeadTom, I am running the same stepper controller you are from HobbyCNC. You will love it! I just put a filter on the fan to keep the dust out of the enclosure, and I put a plastic mesh infront of the air holes in the front. I have mine set up in my shop and if I left the holes open I would have dirt dobber nests in there.

[DeadTom]

Hey Prontow that filter is a good idea, this has been on my mind with all the dust that will be around when cutting.
I started this about 3 years ago and I need to just finish it up. Yes, the HobbyCNC boards are very nice quality, this one is the 4 axis but I am only using 3 at this time and I bought another older 4 axis board that I need to get together as I was thinking of converting a HarbourFreight mill to CNC.
Can you post some pics of your conversion it sounds like a fine setup.

DT

[My 2 Cents]

What kind of pieces are both of you cutting with your machine?

[DeadTom]

Mine has not cut anything yet, but is was built to cut G10, CF, Balsa, Lite Plywood and mostly wood products. The cutting area is like x=20", y=30", z=5", might be a little larger but large enough for right now. I have another 4 axis controller card that will likely end up on a Harbour Freight mini mill so I can mill metal parts, mostly aluminum.

DT