Just looking at the software end of things, after talking about bit with a machinest they told me that they use their computer to design the part and then feed that image into the CNC machine and the CNC basically does the rest of the work. I forgot to ask what they use for software but I believe it might be AutoCad. I was just wondering if in fact AutoCad is the Industry standard for metal machining with CNC machines?

I also checked out the AutoDesk website (makers of AutoCad) and see they have a new product called: AutoCAD Mechanical.

I am wonderining if this AutoCAD Mechanical is more suited toward this CNC usuage for making metal parts or if the regular AutoCAD is just as good or even better? you can see all the products here: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...41&wac=IL18067

By the way, WOW this software is expensive.. and you probably need a very FAST POWERFUL computer to run it..