There are several CAD/CAM programs out there for MacOS. Here is a list of a few: I've also read good things about punchCAD: Of course, there is always SketchUp if you are in a pinch. There are a few CAM plugins for SketchUp as well, but I've never used them, so I can't vouch for them. CAD/CAM will get you as far as designing your parts and producing the g-code, but if you also want to run the CNC machine with your Mac, you will need a piece of software similar to Mach3 or EMC to run the g-code. I haven't been able to find anything like these programs that runs on Mac, so you may have to run Mach3 or EMC in Windows using Boot Camp or a virtual machine such as VMware or Parallels. Personally, I would use the Mac to do all the CAD/CAM, then use a cheap PC to run the CNC machine. Additional Information: Additional Information: EasyDNC for OSX www.dnc-x.com Click the link to respond:.
I recently bought a new 3 Axis CNC USB Card Mach3 200KHz Breakout Board Interface but there wasn't any instructions with this board. Kind of amazing I got manuals and installation software for Mach3 mill from the company i purchased the board and it is all english, and got my hurco mill to accept G-code now if i can figure out the spindle.
There are several CAD/CAM programs out there for MacOS. Here is a list of a few: I've also read good things about punchCAD: Of course, there is always SketchUp if you are in a pinch. There are a few CAM plugins for SketchUp as well, but I've never used them, so I can't vouch for them.
CAD/CAM will get you as far as designing your parts and producing the g-code, but if you also want to run the CNC machine with your Mac, you will need a piece of software similar to Mach3 or EMC to run the g-code. I haven't been able to find anything like these programs that runs on Mac, so you may have to run Mach3 or EMC in Windows using Boot Camp or a virtual machine such as VMware or Parallels. Personally, I would use the Mac to do all the CAD/CAM, then use a cheap PC to run the CNC machine. Additional Information: Additional Information: EasyDNC for OSX www.dnc-x.com Click the link to respond:.
CAMBAM is an excellent choice to use for providing plasma operations for a plasma machine. Here is a link to get you started and for the resource files that you can use with CAMBAM. Since CAMBAM has CAD functionality, you should have no problem using CAMBAM as a CAD design software. If you are dong more intricate work, then you can use MOre CAD oriented software and then load the.DXF files into CAMBAM for the application of plasma operations on top of the primitive CAD geometry. Click the link to respond:. The USB controller will only work with the Planet-CNC software. This software is well made and will provide great functionality.
The planet-cnc software delivers instructions to the microcontroller on the board and the microcontroller will send out the pulse trains needed to move the machine correctly. There are two main alternatives if you want to use the mach3 software: First, get a parallel port card and add it to your computer and get a parallel breakout board. If you have a laptop/notebook computer, this will not be possible.
Second, if you have a laptop, or really want to use the USB as the main interface for controlling the machine, you will need to get the smoothstepper board which works with mach3. The price combination is much higher than the USB controller with planet-cnc, but will work with Mach3. Additional Information: Additional Information: Additional Information: The planet cnc controller can be prone to electrical interference and has been known to cause such problems. In the first instance try to use a quality double sheilded USB cable, hopefully this will fix your problem. Alternatively you may need to sheild your limit switch, estop and or motor cabling.
My pick is that a quality USB cable will fix it though, worked for me. Click the link to respond:.
Support all versions of Mach3 2. Support system: Windows XP, 2000, Vista, 7. (not including Mac OS) 3.
USB jack does not need to install the driver, plug and play under all versions of Windows. Full support USB hot-swappable, USB connection status monitoring at any time. Under Mach3 working state, USB cable unplugs and then plugs in, but also the normal connection.
Supports 4-axis linkage. Maximum step-pulse frequency is 2000 KHz, can connect servo driver and stepper driver. The indicator light indicates various working status, such as USB connection, Mach3 connection and so on. Speed testing function, the spindle actual speed displays on the Mach3 interface in real time. Onboard isolated power supply, not need external power supply. All IO port fully isolated, strong anti-interference, stable performance 12. Support XHC series of wireless electronic MPG, such as WHB04 MPG.
Support spindle speed PWM output; support spindle pulse and direction output; support spindle speed output from 0 to 10V analog voltage. Package included: 1 x CNC Mach3 USB 4 Axis Motion Control Card 1 x USB Cable 1 x CD 1 x English Manua English Manual Mach3 config file copy Mach3Mill.xml to MACH3 directory Usb card driver-v2.38.9 1.the NcUsbPod.dll is card driver file,please copy it to the mach3 plugins directory; 2.the M930.m1s is probez surface file,please copy it to the mach3 micro mach3mill directory; 3.the mach3mill.xml is mach3 configure file,please copy it to the mach3 directory Release Notes for XHC MACH3 USB Motion Card XHC NcUsbPod.dll is the Driver of XHC USB CARD for MACH3 cnc control system. You could control your cnc machine through my usb card.it is compatible with mach3 usb ncpod device.
USB full speed Com Interface 4/6 Axis Step/Direction Output 8 General Purpose Outputs 1 PWM Output for Spindle Speed Control 4/6 Home Inputs 16 General Purpose Inputs Status LEDs Up to 400k Steps/Second V2.38.9 2016.4.12 1.add spinde index pulse input check function V2.38.8 2016.1.26 1. Send zero move data to device when estop state.
V2.38.7 2015.12.12 1. Add second home function V2.38.6 2015.9.30 1. Solve some program pause while in the running program V2.38.5 2015.8.12 1.solve G03,g02 pause time long problem. Support maximum motor output pulse 2mhz V2.38.4 2015.7.8 1. Add probe variable 2000-2003,but it maybe still could not compatible with mach3 screen 2010. If you want to probe with screen 2010,please replace the GetVar(2002) with getoemdro(802), GetVar(2001) with getoemdro(801),GetVar(2000) with getoemdro(800). V2.38.3 2015.6.4 1.
Add limit slow zero. V2.38.1 2015.4.16 1. Improve the G54 G55 switch function. V2.38 2015.4.8 1. Solve the G54 G55 switch problem. V2.36 2015.3.22 1.solve the delay gap in gcode g81 V2.35.9 2015.3.20 1.optimize the display line when over 65535 lines. V2.35.8 2015.3.9 1.optimize USB transmission.
V2.35.7 2015.2.11 1.optimize the stop function. V2.35.6 2015.1.26 1.support G83,G73 code. V2.35.5 2015.1.7 1.to seperate seting home limitswitch.
V2.35.3 2014.11.13 1.disable jogging z when spindle on V2.35.2 2014.10.16 1.complement x,y probe function. V2.35.1 2014.9.26 1. Limit the minimumm jog speed to 1/inch/mm/s.
Auto reconnect usb when usb lost. V2.35 2014.8.5 1. Change the download data length 2. Close outputio when close mach3 3.
It is not compatile with old card from today V2.34 2014.7.16 1.solve the software limit at the zero coordinate 2.add the opinion of softwarelimt disalbe when homing V2.33 2014.6.16 1. Solve the problem:the spindle is on and off dithering when the spindle off. When the motor speed less than 1k.we limit it to 1k.solve cannot jog on when low motor speed. Auto check device reset and prompt user. V2.32 2014.5.12 1. Solve pull up usb card,possible make mach3 crash problem. V2.31 2014.5.12 1.solve first proble z problem.
2.for compatible reason,don't download honmeswitch signal. V2.30 2014.4.8 1. Modify the display line number and device buffer when stop 2.
Solve some pause problem when circle. V2.29 2014.3.5 1. Modify the setline function. Support backlash compensation 3. Compile with windows7 more stable 3.
Make the usb more stable V2.28 2014.1.14 1. Modify the probez function V2.27 2014.1.9 1. Solve the crash with xhc whb04 usb MPG.
V2.26 2013.10.11 1. To stop in time when homing,we send Io information to card 2. Solve some abnormal problem when reset. Output io could be tested seperately. V2.25 2013.9.24 1. To display spindle speed stable 2.
Add testoutput button for test output V2.24 2013.8.29 1. Auto run again after usb reset ok. Auto set motor maximum frequncy to device.
Modify back machine home with second. V2.22 2013.8.3 1. Close spindle pwm output,when close mach3.
Estop when limit switch on. Directly go to machine home when the axis is disable. V1.12 2013.8.12 1.support imit speed 1khz-400khz V1.11 2013.7.22 support six axis moving.