Anyone use a desktop CNC ? what software ? which control box ?

[BKKdreaming]

Hi

I just got a small desktop chinese CNC given to me , if you look on google or ebay its a "3020 cnc" style

Problem was I did not get a control box or software ,

its 3 axis plus the spindle speed ,

most seem to be parallel port ,

I would really like to have a USB port and SD card like many of the 3d Printers use ,

So would something like a Rasberry Pi board work ?

and what free software can I use to power it and convert a jpeg line drawing to g-code so it can be cut ?

These look like a fun toy , only $400 or so new , my idea was to cut some waxes for lost wax castings...

Anyway has anyone played with something like this ?

Thanks for your help

[gandalf12]

If it is Chinese just dump it and save yourself a lot of hassle for nothing

[Richard-BKK]

You can use LinuxCNC operating system to control your CNC 3020, it works pretty good - all some parallel port add-on cards seem not compatible... The operating system is free to download at http://linuxcnc.org/

[BKKdreaming]

If it is Chinese just dump it and save yourself a lot of hassle for nothing

Everything like this is made in China , or the pieces are made in China and put together locally

but since I got it free I can learn a little on getting the motors to turn etc

check out 3020 CNC , or 3040 CNC on Youtube to see what these can do after a lot of frustration !

But thank you for your help anyway

Edited May 9, 2016 by BKKdreaming