View source for CNC router software eval

{{outdated}}
Part of [[CNC router build]]

We need to find the best Software stack to drive our CNC mill. 

The tool chain need three parts: 
* CAD/CAM Systems (to produce gcode from 3D model)
* CNC Controller Software (to feed the gcode to the machine)
* Software on Controller to translate gcode into stepper commands (can be part of CNC Controller)

== Requirements ==
* more or less easy to use
* manual operation with external controller possible 
* not to expensive
* fast
* Able to control break on Z axis


== possible Solutions == 

=== Smoothie board ===
* CNC Contoller 


== Todo == 
* Evaluate Controller Software 
* Find matching controller Hardware (like [http://www.ebay.de/itm/CNC-Kit-6-Axis-Stepper-Motor-Controller-Manual-Control-Box-USB-LPT-Mach3-CNC-/221508324693?hash=item3392eccd55:g:954AAOSws65TqTqV this] or [http://www.ebay.de/itm/6-Axis-USB-MACH3-Card-50KHz-Interface-Board-CNC-Stepper-Motor-Driver-Controller/252059774792?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D34569%26meid%3D46451a02675549cf946f1bc2eb736349%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D221508324693 that.])


== Input == 
* http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cadcam.htm#cadcamsystems
* http://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/CAM

=== Generating G-Code ===
** [http://www.scorchworks.com/Fengrave/fengrave.html#download F-Engrave] - DXF to GCode, single pass only
** [https://github.com/cnc-club/gcodetools gcodetools] for Inkscape (not tested yet)
** [http://sourceforge.net/projects/dxf2gcode/ dxf2gcode] (not tested yet)
** [http://www.thuijzer.nl/image2gcode/ image2gcode] online, not tested yet
* PyCAM (not tested)
** http://pepijndevos.nl/2012/04/23/fast-pycam-on-mac-using-homebrew.html
* http://simplegcoder.com/ (not tested)
* https://sites.google.com/site/heekscad/home/Details (not tested)