Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Edgecam VS LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control)

Compare Edgecam VS LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control) and see what are their differences

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Edgecam logo Edgecam

The industry standard CAD neutral Production CAM system

LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control) logo LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control)

LinuxCNC: an open source CNC machine controller. It can drive milling machines, lathes, 3d printers, laser cutters, plasma cutters, robot arms, hexapods, and more.
  • Edgecam Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-27
  • LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-21

Edgecam features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Edgecam provides a user-friendly interface that makes it accessible to both experienced users and beginners in the field of CAD/CAM software.
  • Comprehensive Milling Capabilities
    The software offers extensive milling capabilities, including support for 2.5D, 3D, and rotary milling, which enhances its versatility for different machining tasks.
  • Seamless CAD Integration
    Edgecam integrates well with various CAD systems, allowing for smooth data import and export, which helps in maintaining design integrity across platforms.
  • Advanced Toolpath Generation
    The software features advanced toolpath strategies, which optimize manufacturing efficiency and accuracy, leading to improved production outcomes.
  • Strong Support Network
    Users benefit from a strong support network, including comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer service to help troubleshoot issues.

Possible disadvantages of Edgecam

  • High Cost
    Edgecam can be expensive, especially for small businesses or individual users, which might limit its accessibility to larger companies.
  • Complex Configuration
    The initial setup and configuration can be complex and time-consuming, potentially requiring a steep learning curve for first-time users.
  • Limited Update Frequency
    Some users report that software updates and feature enhancements are not as frequent as they would like, which may impact long-term usability and adaptability.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware to run effectively, which can be a barrier for users with limited computing resources.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the interface is user-friendly, mastering the advanced features can still present a steep learning curve, necessitating significant time investment.

LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control) features and specs

  • Open Source
    LinuxCNC is open-source, allowing users to access and modify the source code. This encourages community collaboration and enables users to tailor the software to their specific needs.
  • Cost-Effective
    Being open-source, LinuxCNC is free to use, which reduces the cost for individuals and organizations looking to implement CNC control systems.
  • Flexibility and Customization
    LinuxCNC offers a high degree of flexibility allowing users to design custom configurations and write personalized scripts for their machine operations.
  • Large Community Support
    With a dedicated user base, LinuxCNC has a wealth of forums and community-driven support which can be incredibly helpful for troubleshooting and exchanging best practices.
  • Real-Time Performance
    Utilizes real-time kernel extensions that provide precise control over machine operations, a necessity for CNC applications requiring high precision.

Possible disadvantages of LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control)

  • Steep Learning Curve
    LinuxCNC can be challenging to learn, especially for beginners unfamiliar with Linux operating systems or CNC machinery concepts.
  • Limited Commercial Support
    Being an open-source project, it lacks formal customer support which can be a disadvantage for commercial enterprises needing professional service.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some hardware compatibility issues may arise, particularly with newer or less common equipment, requiring additional troubleshooting or drivers.
  • Complex Setup
    The installation and configuration process can be complex, often involving custom setups and detailed understanding of both hardware and software components.
  • Less Intuitive Interface
    Compared to some commercial CNC software options, the graphical interface of LinuxCNC may feel dated or less intuitive to some users.

Edgecam videos

EDGECAM - Cad update, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence

More videos:

  • Review - Review Tool Kit Option in EdgeCam
  • Review - Edgecam 2016 Technology Overview Part 2

LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control) videos

LinuxCNC for the bare bones beginner - Part 1

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Edgecam and LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control))
3D
41 41%
59% 59
Architecture
42 42%
58% 58
CAD
38 38%
62% 62
Tool
39 39%
61% 61

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control) seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 7 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Edgecam mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Edgecam yet. Tracking of Edgecam recommendations started around Mar 2021.

LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control) mentions (7)

  • Real-time Linux is officially part of the kernel
    I played with it years ago, but it's still alive and well
        http://linuxcnc.org/.
    - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Real-time Linux is officially part of the kernel
    The only time I have used real-time linux was for CNC control through linuxcnc (formerly emc2). https://linuxcnc.org/ It works great, and with a bit of tuning and the right hardware it could achieve ~1us worse cast jitter numbers (tested by setting a 1ms timer and measuring how long it actually takes using the linuxcnc internal tooling). Sadly with modern machines there are so many low-level interrupts that you... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Can anybody recommend a good CNC conversion kit?
    For a hobby machine, DIY might be the way to go. I did my sharp knee mill over several years. Ball screws from Rockford ball screws, were not cheap, but work well. Servo motors and gecko motor controllers from automationtechnologiesinc.com. Scales for feed back from dropros. Controller card from mesanet.com. All controlled with linuxcnc.org and a usb controller from vistacnc.com. Milled motor mounts for the... Source: over 2 years ago
  • CNC build
    I'm building a DIY-ish 3d printer, I know the Duet 3D boards can run spindles. https://www.machsupport.com/software/mach3/ Or Http://linuxcnc.org/ can run stepper driver boards with a spare desktop. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Questions from someone looking to build a desktop mill
    Good questions, I may be able to help with some of them but I know there are plenty of more experienced mill owners: 1. This is usually done manually or with indexing pins. If you look at the nomad flip jig you can see some techniques for physically re-aligning the part. Since you have skills in that area, a software solution could help, but I’m not aware of anything off the shelf in the hobby space. It could be... Source: almost 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Edgecam and LinuxCNC (the Enhanced Machine Control), you can also consider the following products

Mach3 - Mach3 is very popular among the Hobby CNC community.

Mastercam - Mastercam's Dynamic Milling is a game changer for us.

Vectric Aspire - The complete software solution for CNC Routing,

SolidCAM - The ‘Best-in-Class’ CAM Solution for Efficient & Profitable CNC-Programming Inside Your CAD

PyCAM - PyCAM is a toolpath generator for 3-axis CNC machining.

jscut - A CAM in your browser! Convert your SVG files to CNC cutting paths with this tool.