What would be nice is if AutoCad could do something called 'post' the program to CNC. This would generally be done with ISO G codes, but it still needs to be customized to the machine because every machine does use slightly non standard G codes in different sequences. AutoDesk,the makers of AutoCad, tried to do this. I think it was in 1996. However, their market loyal customers use it as a computer aided drafting software platform (CAd) and don't know much about CAM. The software product was withdrawn for lack of support. A tech school in Green Bay used it to teach mechanical design for a while thinking if the product flew, their graduates would do well. Still a good idea, it's not as easy even for a good company like AutoDesk to make software happen. Everyone thinks you just jam in code and everything works. Anyway, if anybody knows of any software that can post an autocad file directly, write back to this thread. I know it can be done with IGES files, but autoCad lite and certain versions don't seem to be able to write even an IGES file - they could, but again the customer base for AutoDesk is just not pulling their weight in manufacturing software. Best bet - 3rd party add-ins for AutoCad. There are hundreds of software companies interested in that aftermarket. This is the place to share a critique.
