Thanks Daniel. That's some lovely work you've done there.

From reading the Shapeways forum, I can see that quite a few other people have
had similar experiences.

I think what you wrote yourself also sums up how I feel about it:

"Shapeways people are really great and I am not claiming they have done
something wrong, but the technology they are using has, for the time being, very
clear boundaries."

I probably need to scale down my level of ambition until the technology has
matured a bit. I'm fairly sure that in a year or two, we will be able to obtain
3D prints from several sources in consistent and accurate quality, and with a
high level of resolution.

In the meantime, I'll have fun experimenting.

Billy



> Billy:

>        I'm just landing after flying for some
> months on the illussion that I could count with
> Shapeways for producing a range of model and parts.
>        The problem with small details when
> printing FUD is they must be at least 0,3mm (in
> theory 0,2mm)to get a chance of being correctly (...) printed.
>         But the main problem with Shapeways is
> that you can't count that next print of the same
> model will be same quality as the one you've got.
>        Avoiding the layering traces on surfaces
> depends on how your to be printed model is
> oriented in the machine's box. After getting
> first prints of several of my designs I wanted
> to check, before offering them for sale, clients
> would be getting at least the same quality. So
> before putting them for sale I ordered a second
> print of several models. You will see the
> results here:
> http://www.freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=3521&forum_id=17.

>        I hope this will help.

>                            Daniel

At 12:04 AM 9/11/2011, Billy O'Shea wrote:
<snip>
>I'm reasonably pleased with it, but a lot of the fine detail has
>been lost, even in 'frosted ultra detail', which is Shapeways'
>best-quality plastic material.
>
>My feeling at the moment is that the 3D printing technology may not
>be quite ready yet for serious modelling in 1/87 or 1/76 - at least
>at 'rivet level'.

Your issue is NOT with generic "3D printing technology"...
but with the specific technology used by Shapeways.
There -are- other 3D print technologies with much better surface
finish and detail rendering.

That said... Shapeways is a GREAT value for what it is.
Remember "Better...  Faster... Cheaper...  Pick TWO"


--------------------
Richard Brennan - San Leandro CA
--------------------

I agree with Richard. 3D technology has advanced much further than most of you
realize. Shapeways is a start-up company that operates in a niche market. If you
go through their gallery you can see examples of the market they entertain. The
users have to compare what they are really looking for vs what they are willing
to pay.

If you work with the larger 3D printing houses you have many more options as to
materials, size and surface finish/detail. I have worked with commercial houses
that produced wax masters for investment cast parts that weighed in at 6-8 lbs.
I have worked with houses the direct 3D printed ABS props for lab testing. The
details were as exact as my CAD model. I worked with the various venders to
learn of their capabilities and for them to learn of my needs. Through that
process I learned that I could enhance the results by increasing the resolution
on my STL export file.

If you go into a project with high expectations without doing the proper
homework you have a good chance of being disappointed with the results.

--- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, Richard Brennan <brennan8@...> wrote:
>
> At 12:04 AM 9/11/2011, Billy O'Shea wrote:
> <snip>
> >I'm reasonably pleased with it, but a lot of the fine detail has
> >been lost, even in 'frosted ultra detail', which is Shapeways'
> >best-quality plastic material.
> >
> >My feeling at the moment is that the 3D printing technology may not
> >be quite ready yet for serious modelling in 1/87 or 1/76 - at least
> >at 'rivet level'.
>
> Your issue is NOT with generic "3D printing technology"...
> but with the specific technology used by Shapeways.
> There -are- other 3D print technologies with much better surface
> finish and detail rendering.
>
> That said... Shapeways is a GREAT value for what it is.
> Remember "Better...  Faster... Cheaper...  Pick TWO"
>
>
> --------------------
> Richard Brennan - San Leandro CA
> --------------------
>

Pete & Richard - Thanks for your comments!

When I wrote "the 3D-printing technology", I meant the printing technology
currently used by Shapeways. I should have made that clear.

I realise that you can get better quality elsewhere, but the price is also
commensurate.

Billy

It seems like 3d printing has exploded in the last few months. Mark Watson at CG
N-scale is doing some excellent work with Shapeways. The stagecoaches make my
jaw drop, as does the pickle car. i can't wait to see what else he comes up
with.

http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?141656-Pickles-and-More!-New-\
\stuff-from-CG-N-Scale

FS

P.S. - Not related to the company, just a big fan.

> It seems like 3d printing has exploded in the
> last few months. Mark Watson at CG N-scale is
> doing some excellent work with Shapeways. The stagecoaches
> make my jaw drop, as does the pickle car. i
> can't wait to see what else he comes up with.

>
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?141656-Pickles-and-More!-New-\
\stuff-from-CG-N-Scale

> FS

> P.S. - Not related to the company, just a big fan.

Really beautiful work. And I'm getting much better and more detailed results
myself now from Shapeways, though whether that is down to me or the company, I
can't say. :-)

Billy

What material is being selected for such a small print as I have some S scale
fine detail parts I wouldnt mind trying to have printed. I had some larger items
printed in just the cheap basic white material and wasnt too bad.

Thanks ,
Kent
www.mpmw.ca 1/64 model trucks and farm replicas.



--- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, Billy O'Shea <billy@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> > It seems like 3d printing has exploded in the
> > last few months. Mark Watson at CG N-scale is
> > doing some excellent work with Shapeways. The stagecoaches
> > make my jaw drop, as does the pickle car. i
> > can't wait to see what else he comes up with.
>
> >
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?141656-Pickles-and-More!-New-\
\stuff-from-CG-N-Scale
>
> > FS
>
> > P.S. - Not related to the company, just a big fan.
>
> Really beautiful work. And I'm getting much better and more detailed results
myself now from Shapeways, though whether that is down to me or the company, I
can't say. :-)
>
> Billy
>

Kent:

> What material is being selected for such a
> small print as I have some S scale fine detail
> parts I wouldnt mind trying to have printed. I had some
> larger items printed in just the cheap basic
> white material and wasnt too bad.

It looks to me like Frosted Ultra Detail. I've had a few things printed in this
material and the level of detail was very good.

Billy

Hi

I need a freebie cad to draw some 3D items for printing.  I am using Creo
Elements Direct at the moment and that looks very good.  Anyone else using Creo
?  Would like to get 2 or three users together to swap notes (mainly for my
benefit as I am a newbie)

Steve - I am progressing slowly.

Thanks

Charlie

Hi All,   First post in this board

My Name is Ryan, I'm in Melbourne Australia.  Have been looking into making some
RHB Nm gauge rolling stock and have been reading a few of the topics on this
site regarding 3d printing.

I also found this in my research
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/37685-n-scale-london-undergrou\
nd-1995-stock/

there is also a good number of items in the shape ways shops, there is some Nn3
as well as some double deck duch stuff.  I also found a topic with a guy
building a tram in N scale but can't find it at the moment.
http://www.shapeways.com/gallery/hobby/model-trains

what I am finding is that there are very few photos of finished models

has anyone else got any links to finished stuff?

I have started drawing a 3d model of the RHB/MGB glacier express coaches using
Solid Works and the sheet metal tool kit that the program has.  If I decide that
I'm not going to 3d print it, I will be able to use the sheet metal tools to
unfold the body.  This would then allow the artwork to be competed quite easily
for etching.

Regards Ryan


--- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, "farmboy_k" <kdloewen@...> wrote:
>
> What material is being selected for such a small print as I have some S scale
fine detail parts I wouldnt mind trying to have printed. I had some larger items
printed in just the cheap basic white material and wasnt too bad.
>
> Thanks ,
> Kent
> www.mpmw.ca 1/64 model trucks and farm replicas.
>
>
>
> --- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, Billy O'Shea <billy@> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > > It seems like 3d printing has exploded in the
> > > last few months. Mark Watson at CG N-scale is
> > > doing some excellent work with Shapeways. The stagecoaches
> > > make my jaw drop, as does the pickle car. i
> > > can't wait to see what else he comes up with.
> >
> > >
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?141656-Pickles-and-More!-New-\
\stuff-from-CG-N-Scale
> >
> > > FS
> >
> > > P.S. - Not related to the company, just a big fan.
> >
> > Really beautiful work. And I'm getting much better and more detailed results
myself now from Shapeways, though whether that is down to me or the company, I
can't say. :-)
> >
> > Billy
> >
>

I'm quite inspired by the site and your ideas.

Might I suggest you think of laser or craft-blade cut photo images of the body
project instead of etched metal?

Pre-decorated and layered assembly would be the result and the costs are much
lower for the media/materials.

You would be working in a variation of photo-real.

Mike Bauers.

On Apr 18, 2012, at 2:26 AM, ryanlove222 wrote:

> Hi All,   First post in this board
>
> My Name is Ryan, I'm in Melbourne Australia.  Have been looking into making
some RHB Nm gauge rolling stock and have been reading a few of the topics on
this site regarding 3d printing.
>
> I also found this in my research
>
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/37685-n-scale-london-undergrou\
nd-1995-stock/
>
> there is also a good number of items in the shape ways shops, there is some
Nn3 as well as some double deck duch stuff.  I also found a topic with a guy
building a tram in N scale but can't find it at the moment.
> http://www.shapeways.com/gallery/hobby/model-trains
>
> what I am finding is that there are very few photos of finished models
>
> has anyone else got any links to finished stuff?
>
> I have started drawing a 3d model of the RHB/MGB glacier express coaches using
Solid Works and the sheet metal tool kit that the program has.  If I decide that
I'm not going to 3d print it, I will be able to use the sheet metal tools to
unfold the body.  This would then allow the artwork to be competed quite easily
for etching.
>
> Regards Ryan
>
>
> --- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, "farmboy_k" <kdloewen@...> wrote:
>>
>> What material is being selected for such a small print as I have some S scale
fine detail parts I wouldnt mind trying to have printed. I had some larger items
printed in just the cheap basic white material and wasnt too bad.
>>
>> Thanks ,
>> Kent
>> www.mpmw.ca 1/64 model trucks and farm replicas.
>>
>>
>>
>> --- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, Billy O'Shea <billy@> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> It seems like 3d printing has exploded in the
>>>> last few months. Mark Watson at CG N-scale is
>>>> doing some excellent work with Shapeways. The stagecoaches
>>>> make my jaw drop, as does the pickle car. i
>>>> can't wait to see what else he comes up with.
>>>
>>>>
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?141656-Pickles-and-More!-New-\
\stuff-from-CG-N-Scale
>>>
>>>> FS
>>>
>>>> P.S. - Not related to the company, just a big fan.
>>>
>>> Really beautiful work. And I'm getting much better and more detailed results
myself now from Shapeways, though whether that is down to me or the company, I
can't say. :-)
>>>
>>> Billy

Hi Mike,

any ideas as to what material one should print the photos onto.  i have just
been reading the Quintopia blog spot where Jerry describes printing buildings
onto transparancies and then adding material to build up the thickness.  seems
to work.  cant access a link on the work computer at the moment.

I would be woried about the durability of the material.

the glacier express coaches are quite glossy and very flat sided so would not be
too hard to do but at the same time any waves in the side will look very odd

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/4IqQT4KkmCN2k8dhsObJJHGEbxnlFgvpbYfjanaD0GyTzKMqqSb\
xExmeP5bWHBeN6PnzqUUuQpTEaNx2kf6tPfqz999C3Vg6vw/Glacier-Expre%80%A0%A0%DF%20Pros\
pektblatt.pdf

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rhbnm/photos/album/325606675/pic/list

not sure how to get the bogies/trucks done at the moment or the interior detail.

Cad work progressing slowly whilst i ride the train to and from work.  At least
it makes use of the time.

Ryan


--- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, Mike Bauers <mwbauers01@...> wrote:
>
> I'm quite inspired by the site and your ideas.
>
> Might I suggest you think of laser or craft-blade cut photo images of the body
project instead of etched metal?
>
> Pre-decorated and layered assembly would be the result and the costs are much
lower for the media/materials.
>
> You would be working in a variation of photo-real.
>
> Mike Bauers.
>
> On Apr 18, 2012, at 2:26 AM, ryanlove222 wrote:
>
> > Hi All,   First post in this board
> >
> > My Name is Ryan, I'm in Melbourne Australia.  Have been looking into making
some RHB Nm gauge rolling stock and have been reading a few of the topics on
this site regarding 3d printing.
> >
> > I also found this in my research
> >
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/37685-n-scale-london-undergrou\
nd-1995-stock/
> >
> > there is also a good number of items in the shape ways shops, there is some
Nn3 as well as some double deck duch stuff.  I also found a topic with a guy
building a tram in N scale but can't find it at the moment.
> > http://www.shapeways.com/gallery/hobby/model-trains
> >
> > what I am finding is that there are very few photos of finished models
> >
> > has anyone else got any links to finished stuff?
> >
> > I have started drawing a 3d model of the RHB/MGB glacier express coaches
using Solid Works and the sheet metal tool kit that the program has.  If I
decide that I'm not going to 3d print it, I will be able to use the sheet metal
tools to unfold the body.  This would then allow the artwork to be competed
quite easily for etching.
> >
> > Regards Ryan

Thanks John

found this link attached to one of your photos in the comments.

http://www.zcentralstation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101:\
stonys-lcl-cement-canisters&catid=67:instructional&Itemid=264

looks quite good i think.
Might just have to give it a go, all in the name of entertainment

regards Ryan



--- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, John Kellett <soccrdad525@...> wrote:
>
> Hello, John from Saginaw Michigan.  I own Z Central Station, a Z scale model
train site.  I can provide a link to view some of the finished Z scale RP's.
>  
> The link to my website is
> http://www.zcentralstation.com
>  
> The link to one of my picture galleries with finished Z scale RP is
>
http://www.zcentralstation.com/index.php?option=com_joomgallery&view=category&ca\
tid=305&Itemid=178
>  
> Most of the RP models are loads, but you will notice down further in the
gallery is a Lajos Chassis switcher shell.  I hope this helps
>  
> John
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: ryanlove222 <ryanlove222@...>
> To: ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 3:26 AM
> Subject: [ModelersCad] Re: N-scale 3D printing
>
>
>
>  
>
> Hi All,   First post in this board
>
> My Name is Ryan, I'm in Melbourne Australia.  Have been looking into making
some RHB Nm gauge rolling stock and have been reading a few of the topics on
this site regarding 3d printing.
>
> I also found this in my research
>
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/37685-n-scale-london-undergrou\
nd-1995-stock/
>
> there is also a good number of items in the shape ways shops, there is some
Nn3 as well as some double deck duch stuff.  I also found a topic with a guy
building a tram in N scale but can't find it at the moment.
> http://www.shapeways.com/gallery/hobby/model-trains
>
> what I am finding is that there are very few photos of finished models
>
> has anyone else got any links to finished stuff?
>
> I have started drawing a 3d model of the RHB/MGB glacier express coaches using
Solid Works and the sheet metal tool kit that the program has.  If I decide that
I'm not going to 3d print it, I will be able to use the sheet metal tools to
unfold the body.  This would then allow the artwork to be competed quite easily
for etching.
>
> Regards Ryan
>

just checking as i will probably need some z scale wheel sets and couplers for
this glacier express project.  z couplers look beter than the N scale ones, and
the Nm gauge is close enough to Z that its not that much of a problem.

Was looking at the Fox Valey models wheels, is there anything else thats more
fine scale available in Z?

Regards Ryan


--- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, John Kellett <soccrdad525@...> wrote:
>
> Hello, John from Saginaw Michigan.  I own Z Central Station, a Z scale model
train site.  I can provide a link to view some of the finished Z scale RP's.
>  
> The link to my website is
> http://www.zcentralstation.com
>  
> The link to one of my picture galleries with finished Z scale RP is
>
http://www.zcentralstation.com/index.php?option=com_joomgallery&view=category&ca\
tid=305&Itemid=178
>  
> Most of the RP models are loads, but you will notice down further in the
gallery is a Lajos Chassis switcher shell.  I hope this helps
>  
> John
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: ryanlove222 <ryanlove222@...>
> To: ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 3:26 AM
> Subject: [ModelersCad] Re: N-scale 3D printing
>
>
>
>  
>
> Hi All,   First post in this board
>
> My Name is Ryan, I'm in Melbourne Australia.  Have been looking into making
some RHB Nm gauge rolling stock and have been reading a few of the topics on
this site regarding 3d printing.
>
> I also found this in my research
>
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/37685-n-scale-london-undergrou\
nd-1995-stock/
>
> there is also a good number of items in the shape ways shops, there is some
Nn3 as well as some double deck duch stuff.  I also found a topic with a guy
building a tram in N scale but can't find it at the moment.
> http://www.shapeways.com/gallery/hobby/model-trains
>
> what I am finding is that there are very few photos of finished models
>
> has anyone else got any links to finished stuff?
>
> I have started drawing a 3d model of the RHB/MGB glacier express coaches using
Solid Works and the sheet metal tool kit that the program has.  If I decide that
I'm not going to 3d print it, I will be able to use the sheet metal tools to
unfold the body.  This would then allow the artwork to be competed quite easily
for etching.
>
> Regards Ryan

Looks like the Nn3 /  Narrow Gauge / Meter gauge board has been doing a bit of
the 3d printing stuff

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nn3/messages


--- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, "stingone1" <FSTINGONE@...> wrote:
>
> It seems like 3d printing has exploded in the last few months. Mark Watson at
CG N-scale is doing some excellent work with Shapeways. The stagecoaches make my
jaw drop, as does the pickle car. i can't wait to see what else he comes up
with.
>
>
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?141656-Pickles-and-More!-New-\
\stuff-from-CG-N-Scale
>
> FS
>
> P.S. - Not related to the company, just a big fan.
>

Well, regarding pricing, I really wish I would have taken more advantage of
Printapart.com while it was still around. It was absorbed into Fineline
Prototyping (its parent company) andthey discountinued use of the Invision HR
printer. They do ofther micro resolution printing, but at more that 5-10 times
the cost of PAP!

Seeing what is available now, and, given the price that you'll have to pay to
get the higher resolution, PAP was a steal!

Dose anyone know of any service bureaus that still use the old Invision HR
machine?

Donnell Wells

--- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, Bill Bedford <billb@...> wrote:
>
> On Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:05:34 +1200, Brian McKenzie wrote:
> > Billy,
> >
> > Some rapid prototyping machine manufacturers quote different resolutions
> > achievable for each axis (X, Y and Z).  One would need to experiment to
> > see if printing a curved roof wagon end on (for example) would display a
> > smoother surface - if the printing in the X and Y planes was finer than
> > in in the Z (vertical) axis for a particular machine type - and this
> > would vary from one machine make to another.
>
> One of the algorithms built into many pricing formula is x * 10y *
> 100z. So re-orientating a piece so that the long axis is vertical
> usually makes for a very expensive build without giving much advantage
> in the finish.
>
>
>
> --
> Bill Bedford
>
> "Man is an animal suspended in webs of significance he himself has spun"
>
>
> -- Clifford Geertz
>

On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:21:29 -0000, Donnell wrote:
>
>
> Well, regarding pricing, I really wish I would have taken more
> advantage of Printapart.com while it was still around. It was
> absorbed into Fineline Prototyping (its parent company) andthey
> discountinued use of the Invision HR printer. They do ofther micro
> resolution printing, but at more that 5-10 times the cost of PAP!
>
> Seeing what is available now, and, given the price that you'll have
> to pay to get the higher resolution, PAP was a steal!
>
> Dose anyone know of any service bureaus that still use the old
> Invision HR machine?

Shapeways use the Projet 3000s that superseded the Invision machines.
They are also considerably cheaper than Printapart ever was.

--
Bill Bedford

"Man is an animal suspended in webs of significance he himself has spun"


-- Clifford Geertz

On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:01:23 -0700 (PDT), D Wells wrote:
> Shapeways may be using the replacement to the HR, but they are not
> utilizing it to its fullest (high resolution) potential. I got very
> good quality prints from PAP with little or no clean up, and none of
> the orientation, or striation issues currently experienced by users
> of Shapeways FUD marterial.

I had exactly the same issues with these machines when I had print done
by a bureau that was part of the 3D Systems franchise. *Nothing* I've
seen or heard about these machines has convinced me that the quality of
print varies between bureau. The only difference between Shapeways and
other bureau is that there are many vocal people on the Shapeways
forums who have *no* experience of RP/3D printing, or even dealing with
physical models, and have totally unrealistic expectations of what the
machine can or can't do.


--
Bill Bedford

"Man is an animal suspended in webs of significance he himself has spun"


-- Clifford Geertz

STL file output can be "tuned" to a finer resolution independent of the 3D
printing machined used. The down side is that the CAD conversion to the STL
format makes for a considerably larger file. I worked in an R & D Group that
frequently used RP technology for parts. When I exported an STL file I alway
adjusted the resolution to 1/10 of the default value. The finished parts were
extremely smooth and didn't require sesecondary operations for finish.

http://www.finelineprototyping.com/resources/knowledge-base.php?article=stl-file\
-resolution

--- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, D Wells <dwells77@...> wrote:
>
> Shapeways may be using the replacement to the HR, but they are not utilizing
it to its fullest (high resolution) potential. I got very good quality prints
from PAP with little or no clean up, and none of the orientation, or
striation issues currently experienced by users of Shapeways FUD marterial.
>  
> Donnell 
>
> Romans 10:9-10
>

Shapeway did some pro bono work for me a couple of years ago. They printed the
bell brackets and lanyard lever in stainless steel I used the default STL
resolution. The parts are 1/12 scale. and cast iron so the texture added to the
reality.

http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/382-The-Fulton-Engine-Project-uses-3D-pri\
nting.html

--- In ModelersCad@yahoogroups.com, D Wells <dwells77@...> wrote:
>
> Shapeways may be using the replacement to the HR, but they are not utilizing
it to its fullest (high resolution) potential. I got very good quality prints
from PAP with little or no clean up, and none of the orientation, or
striation issues currently experienced by users of Shapeways FUD marterial.
>  
> Donnell 
>
> Romans 10:9-10
>

On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:19:09 -0700 (PDT), D Wells wrote:
> Hi Bill,
>
> Is there a way to optimize one's part/.stl file for Shapeways, that
> will print with accepable resolution using FUD material, regardless
> of print orientation?

The resolution is 375 x 375 x 790 (x y z)DPI  for FD and 750 x 750 x
890 DPI for FUD

> Also, how do you, or how would you compensate
> for the areas of that part's various surfaces that come in contact
> with support material?

Like all similar machines there are surface artefacts that need to be
removed by sanding or scraping. This is how one of my customers tackled
the process <http://www.lner.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6919>. I
saw the finished model at the weekend and the surface finish is
indistinguishable from an injection moulding.


--
Bill Bedford

"Man is an animal suspended in webs of significance he himself has spun"


-- Clifford Geertz

sc_container sc_container@...
[Moderated]  May 17, 2012
Been in CAD forever...from version 10 to Civil 3D 2011...and build scale
miniatures...tell me there is a way to make a living combining the two!!!


m.b.

Some have found a way.

One fellow told me a couple years ago, after he had been at it for a bit over
five years....... Seemingly bringing out stuff he likes and wants, resulting in
a small catalog of products.

That he makes about $30,000 a month at it. Or at least his small company does
so.

I wouldn't mind being a small firm of one that made 20 percent of that as a
second career.

Mike Bauers

I just acquired a Sherline 5400 with a bunch of attachments, clamps, manuals,
etc., and a laptop with all the software installed. Let's just say it was at a
good price.
My question is: Does anyone know of a driver for this that works in AutoCAD? The
software I got with it is a DOS-based package.
Thanks
Bert