MIke,

Having read all the comments on this thread and as having made software to work with 18 different CAM softwares, I think Ian's comment is where you should focus 95% of your research time.

"For simple programs like cabinetry, maybe learn how to program in G code, not overly difficult for this type of machining."

Thanks for all the responses. I talked to a guy the other day that uses kcd to design just like I do. He said he uses Vcarve to cut cabinet parts, I didn’t know it would do that. That comes with the machine that I’m looking at getting. There are a few others that I’m looking at as well that will cut simple parts. As far a learning to write g code, I can’t comment on that since I know very little about all this cnc world stuff. It might be the best way.

Re G Code

While a working knowledge isn't a bad idea, it's not a requirement.

I learned to write G Code line by line long before there were fancy programs with post processors existed, and I can tell you that in the last year I've only had to edit the G Code in 1 program and that's only because I wanted to slow the feed down on the last 2 parts on the sheet. I could just as easily cut the sheet slowly, but I was in a hurry.

That being said, if you're going to modify post processors on your own you need to know G Code really really well.

I wasn't suggesting he have anything to do with a "post" processor. I was saying he should learn what he can do writing his own code. He should not even consider a machine that requires a "post" file is turned into functioning g-code. That's way too proprietary and out dated. His own education is by far the cheapest route in his own best interests. One bad software or machine purchase could break his company.

Regarding G-code..

I have written programs for and run a variety of CNC's. I have programmed machines directly using G-code (Although point-to-point rather than nested based) and with CAD/CAM software. Personally I cannot imagine going back to using raw G-code.

Although cabinet parts are relatively simple in terms of programming G-code, using software will almost certainly get you from design to finished parts much quicker. Even if you only use something like V-carve and create a bunch of standard parts that you can pull from to nest for each job. To do this with G-code would be time consuming, single un nested parts are one thing but nesting a bunch of parts would be a pain. Unless you plan to just cut sheets of stock parts.

Yes software can be proprietary and expensive. But you probably wouldn't choose to walk to your shop because a car is expensive & proprietary. That's not to say you should ignore your budget but having your CNC as an expensive work bench (I have seen this more than one!) because you cannot get your head around the programming is also costly.

I think you need to consider your own skill set. If you have the aptitude, time and energy then you may save money using g-code. In the same way some one mechanically minded can save money getting a good deal on a used CNC thanks they can service themselves. If that's not you then

On another note I believe that KCD also offers monthly rental options. Maybe you could check it out that way for a month or 2. Sticking with KCD would save you from having to learn another design software, Moziak, RouterCAD, Cabinet Sense etc. Instead you could focus on learning your CNC and V carve for more custom parts. The nice thing about using a package like KCD is that once your design is complete it should only be a few more mouse clicks to take it to the CNC.

Good luck! Keep asking questions and make sure you weigh up all the options and find what's right for you and your shop.

Richard

Appreciate all the help.
Richard, I think you hit the nail on the head with what I want to do, or have in mind to do. The machine I’m looking at comes with Vcarve Pro. I would like to make a library of parts to pull from and modify sizes if need be.
As far as kcd goes, I realize that it’s the way to go and would be just a few clicks. The reason I’m looking to do something different is I don’t want to pay for this machine and the 13k software at the same time. I might go that route with kcd but not at the beginning, David has a good point about breaking the company. Even kcd, as good as it is won’t do some things that I want it to do so I think there would be issues still even with it.
I think Vcarve will be what I go with for the time being until I see how things go. I’m sure as I live and learn with it there will be things I’ll want to do differently. As I do this research I’m finding more and more possibilities that I can do on this machine that will save me a lot of time.
Thanks again

Well, I think anyone that can use a level a square and a saw can write some very simple and basic g-code, which apparently is all he needs and would serve him well if he goes shopping. Need 2 parts, copy and paste text. All I see is a shark tank. Giving over control of your understanding these days doesn't seem to be par for people who know computer systems themselves. Nor do they tend to believe what people write on the Internet.

You don't always have to do the g-code. I get that. Sometimes by skipping the hard parts you can discover water ice on Mars. Yes, it was my code that allowed them to cut the Phoenix Lander right away. Maybe I missed something, but the situation's seems very different these days in many ways. There are many softwares that are attempting to do the things I invented and some quite well. Progress seems to be obstructed by greed and lack of vision and leans to software business models that are designed to take control away from people. I have no more time for this. Good luck Mike.

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Mike
You are going in the right direction. if you are going to build cabinets then you will need a cabinet software program. Yes the big boys are expensive. When purchasing a cnc there are a lot of costs beside the machine. Your startup tooling cost will be high make sure to include cones and collets along with bits. You also have to check your air compressor, you must have enough CLEAN DRY air. There is no sense in paying all that money for the machine and running it on dirty air! If you don't have a air dryer or one large enough to handle all your air needs then that needs to be considered, also the cost of electrical hook up, those big vacuum pumps take a large circuit along with the machine, make sure you can add another 100 amps to your main box or you will have to add a sub panel. You will also be down for a week with installation and training, you will lose 25% of your income that month. Oh yea lets not forget dust collection as well. You can see that base price for that cnc is just a starting point, and when you add in all the costs it really adds up quick! I would suggest also that especially with new software that you invest in a new computer system as well. I would also keep that system separate from your general business computer and keep it off the internet. My first cnc I had it all on one computer and sure enough I got a virus and the two things that hurt the most was the cnc software files that took a long to tweak just right and my accounting files. It is amazing just how well and for how long a computer will work with out all the junk that comes along the internet.

why you think"big boy expensive"??
i can compare polyboard+knest to cv ,polyboard+knest much batter in most points
price about 5k
includ all(optimise ,labeling..pp drill head..rough mdf doors,3d working for bevel egde....and many many other options

Mike,, before you select software, verify the post is 100% to your machine,,,,,all the programs specified in other comments are awesome,,but make sure their software has 100% post,

chevy is very right
so many machines type each can be small different but big problems
in our software(knest) its mine pp so i can modify to any machines type and even
special requirement ,like 2 or more different controllers,machines....

Big boy expensive? Just look at the cost. My first cnc software bundle, Cabnetware cnc poin to point and cnc beam saw was $18,000 plus yearly support. Is that not expensive especially when it was back in 2000. Cabinet vision, microvillian were all in the same ball park. Was it worth it? Yes it was but for a two man shop that is a large investment. Check out Mozaik for $125 a month can fit in a small shop budget try it for three months and if you don't like it you are out $375 no big deal. I had no problem with a post processor. I set the software up before the machine got here, the installer installed the post, they scheduled a time during the installation for the cnc installer, myself and a software rep to have a conference call and work out any issues. I was up and running the third day of installation/ training and have never looked back. I purchased v carve pro for my individual parts and the installer put in the post processor for that as well and both have run flawlessly. This was a lot easier than my first cnc set up but then things have changed in 17 years and I also have a little more experience in my corner now.

Just looked at poly board pp,,,,very nice stuff,,,,,kicks out code directly to Biesse (cix)and homag (mpr),,,,

Try Autodesk Fusion 360. It has a generous trial time. It's almost free. You can model any case you want. Might take time to create your own library. Lot's of easy tutorials on Youtube. Then it also posts to G-code for **any** CNC Machine. I have even started creating G-code for my customers.

Furniture to CNC tutorial