NOTE: There is no protection from viruses and malicious or simply badly-written programs. Exercise considerable caution if you download anything other than data files. Use at your own risk!!
Terms of use for software may be different for each file. In general the items called freeware are just that, totally free. Freeware does not usually include any sort of support. Shareware items are provided for free, but with a request that you support the author by paying a modest fee to register the program. Registering encourages the author to continue support and improvement of the software. Registration may also enable advanced functions or provide automatic updates. Evaluation versions are usually limited in some way. It is intended that evaluation versions placed here may be limited in capability, but not in amount or duration of use. Please examine the contents of files for Terms of Use.
Due to increased interest from commercial vendors, a set of placement policies has been established. Useful evaluation versions of commercial software are welcome. To be placed here the software must be sufficiently functional (without passwords, prior registration, or time/number of use limits) to be of interest to hobbyists. These policies are in keeping with the nature of this site and its mission to serve hobbyists. Versions which limit file sizes, omit advanced functions, or are older than the current product are good candidates for placement here. A link to the vendor's site will be provided; however a version of the software being offered must also be available for download from this site. The downloadable file may contain any additional promotional material desired.
| File Name | Size | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CNC979.zip | 149Kb
153Kb |
This is a freeware version of a
CNC control program written by Kevin
Carroll. It provides stepper
motor control of up to 3 axis using
the printer port of an IBM style
personal computer. It supports
traditional G and M codes as
input. This program is written
in BASIC and requires a Pentium class
computer for good quality
operation. Also included
is a good explanation of how G and M
codes are interpreted. This freeware
version is BETA test software. Be
sure to read the documentation about
special concerns related to this
version. A BIG thanks to Kevin
Carroll, who is experienced in
converting manual machine tools to
CNC operation on a commercial basis,
for contributing this software.
The CNC981.zip is an updated version which adds support for G81 multi-hole drill cycles. Kevin also improved the ncreadme.txt file and provided an Acrobat PDF image for the option control panel. Thanks again Kevin!! A sad postscript, in late December 1998 Kevin Carroll passed away after a battle with cancer. Helping people understand CNC software was one of his passions, and he did it well. We will miss him. IMPORTANT UPDATE - Kevin's program, also known as Stepster, lives on through the efforts of Charles Gallo. CLICK HERE to visit his support site. |
| 41Kb
27Kb |
Files containing the BASIC source
code for the above CNC control
program.
Kevin's "Exactly How a CNC Works" which explains how his control program actually works. |
|
| dancad26.zip | 915Kb | DANCAD and DANCAM are shareware
programs written by Dan Hudgins which
provide 2/3dimension drafting and CNC
stepper motor control respectively.
DANCAM has been the foundation of
many homebrew CNC machines. DANCAM
requires the output of DANCAD as its
input. Traditional G and M codes
cannot be read into DANCAM. These
programs were engineered to run under
DOS, and DANCAM should never be used
under Windows or any other
multitasking operating system. Dan
Hudgins is not currently (as of
11/97) offering support or updates
for these programs. The contact
information and order forms included
in this ZIP file are outdated, please
see the "official" DANCAD3D
site for current information.
This zip file is an image of a complete installation of version 2.6 of DANCAD and DANCAM. To use it you create a directory named "DC25" in the root of your "C" drive and put a copy of the zip file there. Switch to this directory and then unzip dancad26.zip with restore of subdirectories enabled. The PKUNZIP command would be -- PKUNZIP dancad26 -d There is now an "official" DANCAD3D web site, click HERE to visit. |
| 482Kb
442Kb |
These files are DANCAD/DANCAM install disk images for floppy diskettes. This is the same software as above but not preinstalled. Each file should be unzipped onto a 1.44 Mb floppy with recovery of subdirectories enabled. Then run the install batch file on the first disk. Read and follow the instructions carefully! | |
| dcmotors.zip | 40Kb | Program for plotting the characteristics of a permanent magnet DC motor. Runs under DOS on a 286 with 287 math coprocessor and VGA display minimum. Should run in a DOS box under windows as long as your monitor allows switching back to VGA mode in the DOS box. The ZIP file contains program and documentation files. Thanks to Michael Cranford for contributing this freeware program. |
| dro40.zip | 1,094Kb
54Kb |
Program for using an IBM PC to read quadrature encoders through the parallel port (requires bi-directional port) and display position data on-screen. Includes many options to aid in configuring linear scales or rotary encoders to work with your machine. The DRO40a.zip file contains a patch for fix a problem which occurs with some bi-directional printer ports. Many thanks to Steve Lindsay for writing this software and making it available as freeware. For the latest information about this freeware program, visit: http://www.lindsayengraving.com/other_interests/dro.html |
| geargen11.zip | 184 Kb | Shareware program to generate CNC programs to cut tooling for a ram style EDM for making gears. Useful for computing gear parameters even if you do not have CNC machines. Runs under DOS or DOS box but forces monitor to VGA mode. Written by ATS Software. |
| machine.zip | 48Kb | A freeware program to estimate the Horse Power needed to make a machining cut in metal, written by Jim Tuttle. This program runs under DOS or the DOS box in windows. |
| mrm110.zip | 319Kb | Older version of a shareware program of support utilities for machining operators. Mr. Machinist provides trig and geometry calculations, bolt circles, feed/speed recommendations, and much more. This is probably the last version that runs under DOS without needing memory manager support. PLEASE NOTE that the contact information in the zip file is outdated. Work on a Windows version of this software has resumed. Please see: http://www.mrmachinist.com |
| TDHelper.zip | 2401Kb | Tool & Die Helper is a freeware add-on for AutoCAD-LT and AutoCAD for Windows that assists in creating drawings for the die making trade. Also useful for general fabrication drawings. Has tools for drawing holes, slots, counterbores, threads, and other machined features. Thanks to Tom Kahara for contributing this software. |
Other Shareware sites with software collections related to machining
Marv Klotz's Utilities at - http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/4425
CADalog, the AutoCAD shareware clearinghouse at - http://www.cadalog.com
The ASME engineering
software database at - http://www.mecheng.asme.org/database/browse.html
Database is off-line. We eagerly await
its return.
Free mechanical engineering software list at - www.freebyte.com/cad
EMC (Enhanced Machine
Controller) freeware from NIST for CNC
machine control at -
http://www.LinuxCNC.org
DRO-Plus software and
instructions for building counter
hardware for homemade DRO system -
http://www.timgoldstein.com/kulagadro/dro.html
If you know of shareware that is not listed above and may be of interest, please email to .
Copyright © 1997,1998, 1999 Practical Micro Design, Inc. Please send questions or comments to .