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List of alternatives approaches to CNC #24

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List of alternatives approaches to CNC
smoe Jan 25, 2022
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docs: tabular representation of alternative systems
smoe Dec 11, 2022
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Expand Up @@ -64,4 +64,105 @@ LinuxCNC](/docs/html/code/contributing-to-linuxcnc.html).
* Our primary real-time chat is in the *#linuxcnc-devel* channel on [irc.libera.chat](https://libera.chat).
You can use [web chat](https://web.libera.chat/) or
[connect with your own client](https://libera.chat/guides/connect).
The chat is [logged](http://tom-itx.no-ip.biz:81/~tom-itx/irc/logs/%23linuxcnc-devel/index.html) by community member Tom L.
The chat is [logged](http://tom-itx.no-ip.biz:81/~tom-itx/irc/libera/logs/%23linuxcnc-devel/index.html) by community member Tom L., and historical logs from freenode are [also available](http://tom-itx.no-ip.biz:81/~tom-itx/irc/logs/%23linuxcnc-devel/index.html).

## Related products

LinuxCNC or its derivatives are not the only CNC motion controllers.
There are many alternatives - coming in all shades from very Open Source to stricly commercial.
Also, all these CNC controllers will likely be embedded in larger workflows for which these are post-processors of data from CAD/CAM software.
And every piece of software has its very own community.

### Simulators

* [CAMotics](https://camotics.org/) shows how G-code is executed

### CNC controllers

Controlling the motors themselves, access steppers/servos (or their drivers) directly or via non-intelligent cards like EtherCat or parallel ports.

| Name | OpenSource | Platform | Comment |
|------|------------|----------|–––––––––|
|[GRBL](https://github.com/gnea/grbl) | yes | Arduino | |
|[LinuxCNC](https://www.linuxcnc.org) | yes | Linux | low-latency with real-time kernel |
|[Mach3](https://www.machsupport.com/software/mach3/) | no | Windows | low-cost |
|[Mach4](https://www.machsupport.com/software/mach4/) | no | Windows | low-cost |
|[Marlin](https://marlinfw.org/) | Open Source, Arduino or the [BigTreeTech GRC](https://www.biqu.equipment/de/products/bigtreetech-gtr-v1-0-bigtreetech-m5-v1-0-11-axis-3d-printer-motherboard) | |
|[KMotion](https://www.dynomotion.com/software.html) | | |
|[OpenBuilds CONTROL](https://software.openbuilds.com/#) | yes | | |
|[RoboticSys](https://roboticsys.com/rmp-ethercat-motion-controller/) | | | |
|[TurboCNC](http://www.dakeng.com/turbo.html) | yes | DOS | |

In need of specialized hardware

| Name | OpenSource | Platform | Comment |
|------|------------|----------|–––––––––|
| [Acorn CNC](https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_diy/acorn_cnc_controller.html) no | Windows| low-cost |
| [Duet](https://www.duet3d.com/) | yes | RPi | connects via SPI to an RPi or also features its own web interface. Board includes drivers for steppers, under control of a modern TMC5160 chip. Provides its own G-code interface, with changes for adapting [from a 3D Printing background to CNC](https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Configuring_RepRapFirmware_for_a_CNC_machine). |
| [Drufel](https://drufelcnc.com) | | | |
| [Estlcam](https://estlcam.de/) | hardware:yes, software:no | Windows | |
| [EdingCNC](https://edingcnc.com) | | | |
| [KineticNC](https://www.cnc-step.de/cnc-software/kinetic-nc-netzwerk-steuerungssoftware/) | | | from CNC-STEP needs ZERO-3 interface |
| [nccad](http://www.max-computer.de/x5e/index.html) | no | Windows | |
| [ShopBot](https://www.shopbottools.com/support/control-software) | | | needs a Control-Box |

High-end

* [Fanuc](https://www.fanuc.eu/de/de/cnc/cnc-system)
* [Heidenhein](https://www.heidenhain.de/)
* [Isel](https://www.isel.com) [Remote-NC](https://www.isel.com/de/remote-nc.html) and [Pal-PC](https://www.isel.com/de/pal-pc.html)
* [Sinumerik](https://new.siemens.com/de/de/produkte/automatisierung/systeme/cnc-sinumerik/cnc-steuerungen.html)


### CAM

Contol an interface that interprets its output, likely G-code, with no direct contact to the machine performing the milling

| Name | OpenSource | Platform | Comment |
|------|------------|----------|–––––––––|
| [Alibre](https://www.alibre.com/) | | | |
| [Aspire](https://www.cnc-step.de/cnc-software/aspire/) | | | |
| [BlenderCAM](https://github.com/vilemduha/blendercam/wiki) | yes | | |
| [BobCAD-CAM](https://bobcad.com/) | non-free | Windows | CAM modules for SolidWorks |
| [CamBam](http://www.cambam.co.uk/) | no | | |
| [DeskCNC](http://www.deskcnc.com/Features.html) | no | | |
| [Dolphin](https://www.dolphincadcam.com/) | no | | |
| [EdgeCAM](https://www.edgecam.com/) | | | |
| [Estlcam](https://estlcam.de/) | | | |
| [Fusion360](https://www.autodesk.com) | no | Windows+Mac | |
| [FreeMill](https://mecsoft.com/freemill/) | no, but free | Windows | module that is included in each of these products: VisualCAD/CAM and RhinoCAM |
| [GibbsCAM](https://www.gibbscam.com/) | | | |
| [MasterCAM](https://www.mastercam.com/) | | | |
| [MeshCAM](http://www.grzsoftware.com/) | | | |
| [nccad](http://www.max-computer.de/x5e/index.html) | | | |
| [OpenBuilds CAM](https://software.openbuilds.com/#) | | | |
| [OpenCAMLib](https://github.com/aewallin/opencamlib) | yes | all | Python library to generate toolpaths, compatible with BlenderCAM |
| [OneCNC](https://onecnc.net/) | no | | |
| [SprutCAM](https://sprutcam.com/) | no | | |
| [VisualCADCAM](https://mecsoft.com/visualcadcam/) | no | | |
| [WinPC-NC](https://www.lewetz.de/de/sample-sites-2/winpc-nc/uebersicht) | | | |

### CAD

Software that crafts something from which then CAM can generate G-code

| [AutoCAD](https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/overview) | no | | |
| [Blender](https://www.blender.org/) | yes | all | |
| [BobCAD-CAM](https://bobcad.com/products/cad-design-software) | no | | CAM modules for SolidWorks |
| [CorelCAD](https://www.coreldraw.com/en/product/corel-cad/) | no | Windows+Mac | |
| [DesKAM](http://www.deskam.com/) | non-free | Windows | for engraving |
| [Dolphin](https://www.dolphincadcam.com/) | no | | |
| [FreeCAD](https://www.freecad.org) | yes | | |
| [Fusion360](https://www.autodesk.com) | no | | |
| [Moi](http://moi3d.com/) | no | | |
| [nccad](http://www.max-computer.de/x5e/index.html)
| [OneCNC](https://onecnc.net/) | no | | |
| [Rhino](https://www.rhino3d.com/) | non-free | Windows and Mac | |
| [SketchUp](http://sketchup.google.com/) | no | | |
| [SolidEdge](https://solidedge.siemens.com/) | no | | |
| [SolidWorks](https://www.solidworks.com/) non-free | Windows| low-cost entry price, physics simulations |
| [TinkerCAD](https://www.tinkercad.com/) | no, but free | | web only |
| [TrueSpace](https://download.cnet.com/TrueSpace/3000-6677_4-10187286.html) | no, but free | | |
| [TurboCAD](https://www.turbocad.com/) | no | | |
| [VisualCADCAM](https://mecsoft.com/visualcadcam/) | no | | |
| [Wings 3D](http://www.wings3d.com/) | yes | | |