CNC design communication

The machine:

The CNC machine has a set of instructions for things such as cutting paths and changing tools (if it's capable of doing so automatically.) It uses programs written with CNC instructions to cut parts from the stock material. Not surprisingly, because they have diverse capabilities, different machines use different instruction sets.

The software:

There are various CAM and CAD/CAM software packages to simplify and automate the writing of CNC programs. Some packages can be used to translate certain types of CAD drawings into CNC code; others are used to write the code more directly.

Pro/ENGINEER, SURFCAM, BobCAD-CAM, and Transedit are examples of this kind of software.
Here is a more general CAD/CAM site with some links to CNC-related software.

Margaret I DeLap

Last modified: Wed Mar 1 22:51:46 EST 2000