I've just bought a lathe that I want to convert to CNC.

Daniel_Wood · September 11, 2013, 8:27am

I’ve just bought a lathe that I want to convert to CNC. Looking for recommendations for hardware and software. Does Linux CNC handle lathe work?

Marcus_Wolschon · September 11, 2013, 8:47am

For me MACH3 (lathe supported), USB control boards and chinese stepper drivers plus a strong 48V supply work well in combination. Bad experiences with anything parallel port related.

Using my own CAM program (cylindrical milling supported but nothing special for lathes, sorry).

Can’t tell about Linux CNC.

Marcus_Wolschon · September 11, 2013, 9:31am

http://www.linuxcnc.org/docs/2.4/html/lathe_lathe-user.html

Looks like LinuxCNC does support lathes.

Daniel_Wood · September 11, 2013, 10:01am

What open source gcode tools are available? I’m interested in dxf to gcode

Marcus_Wolschon · September 11, 2013, 10:03am

2D or 3D DXF?

Daniel_Wood · September 11, 2013, 11:09am

2d.

Marcus_Wolschon · September 11, 2013, 11:15am

http://www.christian-kohloeffel.homepage.t-online.de/dxf2gocde.html
is one example.
There are TONS of programs for that

Sebastian_Kuzminsky · September 11, 2013, 3:14pm

LinuxCNC runs lathes really well.