CNC mill in my possession.. Unusable?

File · 03-28-2006, 12:31 PM

The mill in question is the Paxton Patterson HP Mill as pictured here.

Is it within reason to suspect that the CNC mill at my school could still be used with software other than what it was originally intended? Also, would the drawing card (im not sure what that is or if that was really involved) be necessary?

I have some information such as the software used with the machine is **Mill Master Pro** , and that the machine has Serial (f) and Com (f) ports. The teacher whom I collaborate with has called the company we purchased the machine from and found that it would cost upwards of 500$ for replacement of license and card, which is not within the budget allowed...

The machine has manual controls however they are meant only for tiny adjustment rather than actual work.

The machine is in perfect condition physically and has been used little if at all. I have Exclusive access, next to my teacher, to work with the machine. Questionable software or free software is no problem if thats what will get the job done.

Any direction, information, or advice for me would be great. Fizile@Gmail.com

bobo5195 · 03-28-2006, 12:46 PM

Should be usable.

Machine uses G code, universal format but with extensions for each machine.

Best softare for the job is the camworks add on for Solidworks. Popular and findable from alot of people but also v expensive.

JFettig · 03-28-2006, 02:04 PM

That is a little sherline mill, same as what jaydee has been using for some time. I dont recommend cutting copper but its somethign that jaydee has been doing with his with ok results.

So basicly what your looking for is some software to write some g-codes for it? do you know what the software that runs the machine is called?

Jon

File · 03-28-2006, 04:58 PM

The software that is said to be compatible is mill master pro, as mentioned. How can i interface with the mill? Will a direct connection from serial (mill) to serial (pc) work fine? Maybe i can get camworks... But ill still need a way to tell the machine what i need it to do.

03-28-2006, 12:31 PM	#1
File Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ludlow, MA Posts: 15	CNC mill in my possession.. Unusable? The mill in question is the Paxton Patterson HP Mill as pictured here. Is it within reason to suspect that the CNC mill at my school could still be used with software other than what it was originally intended? Also, would the drawing card (im not sure what that is or if that was really involved) be necessary? I have some information such as the software used with the machine is **Mill Master Pro** , and that the machine has Serial (f) and Com (f) ports. The teacher whom I collaborate with has called the company we purchased the machine from and found that it would cost upwards of 500$ for replacement of license and card, which is not within the budget allowed... The machine has manual controls however they are meant only for tiny adjustment rather than actual work. The machine is in perfect condition physically and has been used little if at all. I have Exclusive access, next to my teacher, to work with the machine. Questionable software or free software is no problem if thats what will get the job done. Any direction, information, or advice for me would be great. Fizile@Gmail.com

03-28-2006, 12:46 PM	#2
bobo5195 Cooling Savant Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: uk Posts: 400	Re: CNC mill in my possession.. Unusable? Should be usable. Machine uses G code, universal format but with extensions for each machine. Best softare for the job is the camworks add on for Solidworks. Popular and findable from alot of people but also v expensive.

03-28-2006, 02:04 PM	#3
JFettig Cooling Savant Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Willmar MN/Fargo ND Posts: 504	Re: CNC mill in my possession.. Unusable? That is a little sherline mill, same as what jaydee has been using for some time. I dont recommend cutting copper but its somethign that jaydee has been doing with his with ok results. So basicly what your looking for is some software to write some g-codes for it? do you know what the software that runs the machine is called? Jon

03-28-2006, 04:58 PM	#4
File Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ludlow, MA Posts: 15	Re: CNC mill in my possession.. Unusable? The software that is said to be compatible is mill master pro, as mentioned. How can i interface with the mill? Will a direct connection from serial (mill) to serial (pc) work fine? Maybe i can get camworks... But ill still need a way to tell the machine what i need it to do.

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