No Name Brand Cnc Machine

Hi Freddy,

Fist it looks like it needs to be mounted to a table and have the cable chain mounted so the wires are protected when the machine is being operated. You say "The router it uses looks like a dermal" but you don't picture the spindle, it is probably limited to 1/8" bits.

Second I don't know if you have done any research into CNC but it means computer numeric control. It all works on a coordinate system so the computer knows where the bit is at any given time.

To begin with, you draw a design in a drawing program (CAD). Then toolpaths are run for the cut you want to make. These toolpaths are output as gcode files that the computer and read (CAM). The computer reads the gcode file and sends instructions to the control box and drivers in the control box run the stepper motors to move the spindle around to cut the project.

So you need a design program (CAD) and a code compiler (CAM). There are programs available that will do both, some are free and others can be purchased. Software varies quite a bit, some are very basic and some are very powerful. There will be a learning curve with any software and it will depend on your abilities to how large that curve is.

What I normally recommend to new CNC users is Vectric software, it is CAD/CAM so it does everything you need. You can start with their basic program (Cut2D Desktop) and then upgrade as your needs grow, you just pay the difference between software titles. you can download trial versions of their software here https://www.vectric.com/free-trial/compare

There are also free programs that do it all. The most powerful of those would be Fusion 360 with free hobby license but the learning curve will be large because of the complex nature of the program. You can get it here https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview#banner

Then there are basic programs available that do both CAD and CAM, here are 2 https://www.inventables.com/technologies/easel and https://carbide3d.com/carbidecreate/