[GreatNorthGnome]

Hello, my name is Ray. I built my first cnc mill this past winter and have started to become obsessed with cnc machining Its been getting harder to go to work and use manual machines all day now hehe.

So for a cnc controller and cam, I was thinking I will buy Mach3 since its been a really nice controller so far. I tried the free lazycam program but dont like it, now I've been using cambam and it seems ample for what I need, so I will likely do the mach3&cambam combo soon here.


I'm just a little lost on what cad software I should look at. I work in non ferrous materials, aluminum mainly, doing stuff like this.




I suppose my biggest request will be something I can draw cam profiles in? Then the rest will be simple holes, angles and radius movements on x & y, z depths.
So I would be looking into 2.5d software right?

Say I wanted to round edges on the z and x or y planes, would that get you into the 3d zone?


Where would 4th axis work fall into the equation if a guy was planning on adding one down the road?


Thank you for any help and ideas!
Have a good one.


Edit- Sorry, I should add some more important details. This is a BF20 cnc converted mill. My budget is on the low end, if I could stay under 400$cdn that would be ideal since I dont expect to be making a second income off this machine or anything.

[Bubba]

For plain 2D cad work, you can't beat Draftsight
Free CAD software * for your DWG files: DraftSight - Dassault Systèmes

It is a clone of acad and the price is right (FREE). When I retired, I wanted a cad for my cnc purposes also, but could not afford the price of acad and have finally settled on Draftsight as it works well, can open the occasional dwg that I download etc.

I am not into 3D so can't help you there.

[Dolphin USA]

As Bubba said, Draftsight is worth looking into.

In regards to 3D, Alibre is worth checking out.

[a1diesinker]

I use Draftsight to open .dwg files I get from customers can't beat it fot free

[GreatNorthGnome]

That's excellent, thank you guys! Draft sight seems perfect for now.