Open source plugin for multi-axis machinery

The CNC Toolkit enables creative and effective use of multi-axis computer controlled machinery.
It does this by taking advantage of 3D Studio Max's (and it's variants) ability to model the kinematics of complex mechanical systems. Although written as a CAM plugin for CNC mills and routers, the CNC Toolkit is probably best thought of as a collection of utilities to help users produce, edit, import and export the machine control codes for general automation, mechatronic, hexapod, robotic and animatronic applications.

The CNC Toolkit was initialy developed for use with the 3, 4 and 5 axis CNC machines which we at Rainnea designed, built or retrofitted to assist us in the creation of our jewellery and craft products. Coming from this direction, the software was developed with the emphasis on being able to work creatively and flexibly and has helped towards the use of our machinery as more of an extension of our traditional hand crafted methods rather than as a means to automated production.

You can contact me, Rab Gordon through our main Rainnea site's contact page if you would like to discuss programming, consultancy, etc.

The CNC Toolkit and its source code is available for download from the support forum (signup required)

Videos of the CNC Toolkit in action are on You Tube

Please check out the new manual for the CNC Toolkit at: www.cnc4free.org

There are plans for making your own 5-axis router available from: www.doughtydrive.com