Technology Information

CNC

CNC Programming is one of the most effective ways that people are using today in order to cut metal and do other processes in manufacturing. Many hobbyists are using CNC programming to produce woodworking, metals and foam objects. CNC has created a way for many people to manufacture or fabricate parts quickly and effortlessly.

CNC stands for computer numerical control and is basically the use of a computer to do certain types of operations. This is a process that can be applied to lathe, router, foam cutters and laser machines; it can also be applied to mini versions of these types of machines.

There are basically two types of categories that G Code Programming will fall into point to point positioning or continuous path positioning. Usually a computer can execute both types of programming depending on the sophistication of the software program being used. This means that the operator must understand both processes in order to run the machine.

Here is a simple explanation of these two categories:

Point to point positioning — this category is mostly used when drilling, boring, punching or tapping is needed. This is a process used to position from one point to another when the machine process is being done. In other words, it works from the X to the Y position or to as many positions as it is instructed and keeps going until the process is finished.

Continuous Path Positioning — You will generally see this being used when there is a milling machine that used for contouring or even a lathe that is being used for contouring. This means that the cutting tool moves in a continuous motion from one point to another until the piece is completed. This means that the operator has to be able to program the machine so that it continues on several axes at a time and simultaneously.

Continuous path positioning also uses a series of processes called interpolation which is the way in which the machine is programmed to go. Interpolation can be helical, parabolic, cubic, circular and more.  The basic function of this interpolation is to keep the programmed information stored and to monitor and direct the axes in how it should go.

What needs to happen first is that we really are going to need a design of what is actually suppose to be made and then we can move into the programming stage. This must be studied to make sure that the operator understands the intricacies of the drawing so they can translate the information into the computer software they are using.

This means that the operator must be skilled enough to understand how the paper drawing will translate to the computer, and then be able to program this information into the computer so that the machine will perform the cuts or the processes accordingly.

When you think about this process, it is a good idea to think about what you would do if you were producing the work manually because anything you would do manually, you will depend on the machine to do automatically. By understanding G Code Programming the individual will be more successful.

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CNC

CNC Control Software is what any CNC machine uses to create the operations within the machine. Generally it is considered to be the “intelligence” that governs the type of operation performance or the overall capacities of the machine.  The software will be how the machine designs, cuts and operates the work that the operator programs into the computer.

CNC Control Software also uses electronic memory modules where information is automatically stored inside the CNC machine. In some case this information cannot be changed and in others, through the use of temporary memory, it can be changed.

Generally speaking the computer is very important to the process of the CNC software because the computer numerical controls are usually outside the machine on a small or large keyboard. The computer is offline when it is performing the programming of parts and the computer controls the other parts that are necessary to create the product, depending on the type of CNC in use.

There are four basic software types that CNC uses:

Manual G Code Programming 
Many of the larger commercial machines use and it is used for simple machine processes. The drawbacks of this type is that it takes a long time for someone to learn how to program G Codes and if you want to use more complicated machines, it is time consuming to learn how to use it. Because if these issues, many operators would rather not learn how to do this and

Offline CAM Programming
This type of programming can be done using a local PC and generally is available for larger machines as well as some of the smaller desktop CNC machines. You will need to have room at the front of your CNC machine because this CNC Software can not be used without that computer. This software can be a bit more troublesome for others to learn and is quite complicated so its good to take this into consideration.

Conversational Programming
This type of programming is a better type of software program for the use of CNC because it is intuitive, which means it is simple to learn by the average computer person and it is similar to the programming in regular PCs. The reason this type was developed was so that it could do both simple and complex parts without having to take so long to learn.

Windows Based Programming
Many CNC Control Software programs are now Windows based which means it works through Windows XP or Windows VISTA. The operator can import CAM and CAD programs and it can import other types of software like dxf files depending on the type of machine being used.

There are so many CNC Softwares out there that you will need to check out because they each work with a CNC sytstem in a variety of different ways.

Also the purpose of each software program is to make life easier for the operator and make the machine do what is required. The easier the software is for the operator to program, the more the machine will be used. The particular software has also been used with CAD and CAM systems which makes this easier for many operators.

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CNC

A mini CNC lathe is generally converted from a regular lathe when a hobbyist wants to experience a machine that can do twice the work they can do manually. Usually these are small machines that have a lot of power but that can sit on a desktop or workbench in the home.

Sometimes a nice way into a new hobby is to take a smaller chunk of that hobby that this is what you can do with a CNC Mini Lathe. The CNC mini lathes are good for metalworking in general and for making small parts that need to be made with precision. Generally speaking the individual starts with a CNC Mini Lathe that they buy and then convert it to do CNC.

Most mini-lathes are a smaller version of those used in commercial shops but they can be a different design than those that are made strictly for working with wood. The mini-lathe is able to shape plastics, woods and other materials. A nice feature of these is that manufacturers are continuously developing new features so it has become easier to convert them to CNC over the years.

Mini lathes usually come in three sizes: 7×10, 7×12 and 7×14. Each one is measured by the length that length of the swing as it goes over the bed of the lathe. Today you can also find 9x models. The conversion of a general mini-lathe to include CNC has many benefits.

Many plans that you can find on the Internet will allow both manual and CNC abilities in the conversion because there are times when an individual is working with the machine that they may elect to do some processes by hand. At other times they may want to use CNC capabilities to produce repetitive pieces or ones that require a lot of time manually.

Converting to CNC also allows you to be able to produce both 2D and 3D contours which are unavailable when you are only working a CNC Mini Machine by hand. All you have to do is program the computer to create the part you need. You can use wood plastic or metal to make a mold and using the CNC portion you can produce a mold that you can use as many times as you want because it creates a perfect mold. You can do multiple holes drilling by creating the diameter of the whole and then programming it into the computer; from that point the CNC lathe does the work.

When converting to CNC Mini Lathe it will generally take one or two weekends to finish the conversion; however plans will vary depending on what you want your CNC mini-lathe to do. Sometimes you can find somepicutres with perfect step by step directions that are usually under one-hundred dollars.

To convert to CNC you will need to understand either CAD or CAM software because currently these are the types of software that is used in the CNC mini-lathe machines. Usually you can control the lathe right from your PC because the software is created to run in that way. Generally it seems that you can make this conversion for under $2000.

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CNC

The CNC Mini Mill is actually a smaller CNC mill that has been adapted for the use of hobbyists. What is nice about this machine is that it is much smaller and can fit into a lot of home worshops easier and perfect for DIY CNCers. Some people have been able to take a basic small mill machine and turn it into a CNC machine by adding the computer control panel; this is called a CNC conversion.

This machine is also called a table top CNC mill. The mini-mill also allows an individual who doesn’t have a lot of space to work within a chance to do so because they don’t take up as much space as the larger CNC mill.

CNC has been used in commercial shops over the last ten years or so because of their convenience and ability to allow the operator to get more work done. For hobbyists, the prices have come down and there are more opportunities for the hobbyist to use these machines; many already understand CNC from their jobs so it is easy to convert a smaller machine.

Ideally when you use a smaller machine you want to make sure that it can produce the same quality as the larger machine and this is possible with the mini-CNC machine. These Mini Machines can really do a great job for cutting aluminum or for short finishing work. They also can cut steel because of the low-end torque they use.

Manufacturers like Haas and Syil make reliable CNC Mini Machine that fit on a desktop but have high capacity for work. These are usually bought as regular mills and then converted through the use of a kit into the CNC mill. Alot of times if you look into it, you will find that you can covert these types a mills with a little work and quick and easy. Some conversion kits can show how to set up robotics as well.

The conversion process is much more cost effective according to those who have done it, than purchasing one out right. Its important to look at all of the costs beause a CNC Mini Machine can cost two thousand dollars or a kit could be under one thousand dollars.

There are many advantages for hobbyists to use computerized programs for milling at home. Some of these include:

§ They can work more materials like soft waxes and hard steels and this allows them to experiment with materials they may not have used when they had to mill it by hand. They can also produce parts much faster than with regular milling machines.

§ This process allows them to work with more intricate patterns and produce higher precision components. More ideas can go into production and this is what this allows for.

§ The small CNC Mini Machine can create smoother finishes on their projects and make for a better design.

There are a variety of projects that can be done with a CNC mini mill and may are being produced by a company called Sherline Products. On their website they show many projects from a mini-steam engine to a small hobby church that people can actually duplicate. These are some of the ways that a CNC mini-mill can be used. These projects can be seen by going to their website at http://sherline.com/CNCproj.htm.

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CNC

A CNC Foam cutter is a machine that cuts blocks of foam into a variety of different shapes and sizes through the use of a computer that fully automates the process. As you can imagine, the name of this process makes a lot of sense because its called hot wire foam cutter, and its the hot wire cutter that is used to make a cut in the foam.

Usually the wire is made from stainless steel, nichrome and the wire can be very thick. Some people don’t know this, but the foam and the wire never meet because the foam is vaporized because the wire is heated up so much. This process creates a smoother cut and produces a variety of shapes and sizes.

Depending on the length of the wire, the process will cut a shallow or deep cut. As you can imagine it is not good when the wire sags so there are machines that are keeping this wire very tight when it makes the cuts. On many CNC Foam machines this wire is held vertically so that it doesn’t create the problem with sagging.

These shapes are cut by the cutting wire that is attached to the machine. They will cut either polystyrene or polyurethane blocks. The types of foam that a CNC foam cutter can cut include anything that is thermofusible and expanded. What this basically means is that the foam has to be able to melt at one of the lower temperatures. Some of them include:

§ Polystyrene — these are blocks of balls that are expanded.
§ Polystyrene — this is extruded foam and comes in a variety of colors that include green, pink, purple or gray and these are usually plates that are smooth.
§ Polymethacrylimide — a very expensive material and it is rigid foam with a low density.
§ Polypropylene — which is flexible and expanded and can be a solution to protection from shock.
Ployethylene — This is the type of foam that does not tear easily but are very flexible.

With the CNC Foam you can form a more prism like or tapered shape in the block of foam. A hot-wire that is under a high tension to cut the foam. There are two different types of components one is called a race that controls the tensin of the wire and the other are the stepper motors that work on precision and accuracy.

Some CNC foam cutters also offer different attachments like a lathe and this allows the machine to use either preformed or stretched wire. Also the machine is able to cut a variety of shapes including spirals or blocks of ornamental structure like balusters for stairways or planters.

There are a variety of uses for foam cutters that include making signage, model airplanes, protyping, lost foam cutting and more. The CNC Foam is a flexible machine and is only limited by the imagination.
Although many people prefer to purchase a CNC foam cutter there are also plans on the Internet that show how to make them inexpensively for hobbyists and others who are interested in working with foam.

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CNC

The CNC Plasma Cutter process has been in existence for over 50 years and was created during World War II. At that time the government needed a welding process that would weld together aircraft parts in a better way than what they were using. This process used inert gas that acted as a barrier to protect an electric arc that stopped oxidation from forming on the weld.

As this process was improved over time, people experimented with the openings in the arc to see how they could create the best way for the process to be done. Further along the process you could tell that if you restricted the opening where the gas passed through you could get a much hotter flame. On the other hand, if the opening was made smaller, they could also speed up the flow.

It wasn’t until the early 1960s where the recently developed plasma-arc cutting process was starting to be used in the commercial industry. However, it was a very expensive process for many businesses to take on.

Today, the process has improved dramatically and there are even CNC Plasma Cutter that are portable; some models even have air compressors build in for a fuller portability. Many are smaller and are able to cut sheet metal as their primary work but others can output a lot more in voltage and in work. Also as the CNC plasma cutter was created the process could be totally automated; all an operator has to do is key in how they want the plasma cutter to cut and it does the cut perfectly every time.

CNC plasma cutters come in a variety of sizes but they all basically work the same way. What happens during this process is that you can get gas that is send through a channel where it is pressurized. The gas could be argon, oxygen or nitrogen that is sent through this channel. Inside the channel is an electrode that is negatively charged.  When power is applied to the electrode and the tip of the plasma cutter is touch to the metal, it creates a full circuit.

At this point this circuit makes a high powered spark that goes through the channel; the gas is heated to a very high heat called the fourth state of matter. You will get metal that turns into molten slag when you apply a direct stream of plasma to the metal. What this means is that you have a very high heat and a very fast moving beam of light that hits the metal.

The plasma is what makes the electrical current and this power supply keeps working until the circuit between the electrode and the power supply is broken. Also the cutter nozzle has channels in it so that it can continue to create a consistent flow of shielding gas. This also allows the plasma beam to stay consistent on the metal to be melted.

Some CNC Plasma Cutter have robotic arms that do the work. The point to having this in the CNC mode is that the process is totally automated and it will continue to work to cut with precision as long as the information is programmed correctly into the computer.

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CNC

Many people like to build their own CNC Routing because they like having something that functions that they have built by their own hands. There are many different ways that you can do this yourself if you would like to do it.

Some people like to bypass some of the making of the CNC Router and they do this by purchasing a kit. Kits are a good idea to get a start on what you want to do because they show you, step by step, how your machine will work. If you are a visual person who needs something to look at while you build, this will be a perfect way for you to start your do-it-yourself project.

Plans vary however so make sure that the plan you use has the information you need. As an example, some plans give you a brief idea of what you will be doing to create the plan. Others will give you full blueprints that will show you step by step what to do and what it should look like at every step of the way.

Some people prefer to just wing it and try their hand at the building of their own CNC Router. Sometimes you just need to know what kind of person you are so that if you need to have a plan then you can make sure you have one with you for this exercise. Either way you will have a finished product.

The greatest reason to build your own CNC Routing is that you can get the parts for a fraction of what you would pay in the store.

Things to Think About when Making a CNC Router
When you first think about making your own CNC Router the first thing you will need to do is decide on a design. There are basically two types of designs that you will have to choose from. Either you want one with a stationary gantry and a mobile bed, or you want one with a mobile gantry and a stationary bed. Like anything there are pluses and minuses for all things.

The mobile bed is usually used on smaller machines like engravers and isn’t as common as the stationary bed. You will also need to decide on how large you want the cutting area to be which will be determined by the size of the material you will want to cut. As you run through the project there are some things that may change as you start looking for specific parts.

Another item to take into consideration is how big a machine you want. If your space is limited, you will have to consider how far you want your router to travel. This may mean that it just goes the length of the space. In any case you won’t want to have wasted space in the area where you are going to use your CNC Router .

One of your last and final steps is to determine what the tolerance is that you want from your machine. This will speak to the accuracy and the precision of the machine. Once you understand what you want, it’s time to look at the steps to building it which will be talked about in a different article.

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CNC

 CNC wood router is something that every shop needs to work on a variety of wood products. The point of this router is that it uses a computer numeric control to cut the wood. This means that all you have to do is set it up and let it do the job. Usually these projects are easy to do if you understand the software.

Most CNC Router use a CAM program so that you can use it with different grains of woods and you can use many different types of woods. If you decide to buy one you will see that many manufacturers carry them and they have many different designs.

Generally, these types of machines can be used to do small or large projects depending on the size of the machine. The CNC wood router can use many different angles to operate together to cut whatever it is you want to cut.

Some of the uses that people have used a CNC wood router for include making furniture with intricate patterns and designs, curve and smooth corners on wood, make different designs in wood, or for cutting dados. The tool is very versatile and flexible.

It is easy to think of a CNC Wood Router as a tool that is only used for cutting and shaping but you can do so many things with it. In fact, you are only limited by your imagination as to what it does. When you gain skill at using the tool, you will find that it does many things and it saves you time and money.

There are a variety of projects that you can do with the CNC Router . Here are a few ideas:

Making furniture — many people decide to use a CNC Router to make a variety of furniture from tables to benches and chairs. They like to do elaborate patterns and designs into the wood and the router helps them do this easily. Many enjoy working with oak or wood for their materials.

Doll furniture - yes some children still play with doll houses and sometimes routers can be used to make doll houses depending on the bits that you use. This is an easy way to do something for your children and use your wood router too.

Toys — there are a variety of toy projects you can do with a CNC Wood router. You can make checkers and checker boards, elaborate chess sets, game pieces for all types of games. These projects are only limited by your imagination.

Radiator Covers — some people specialize in intricately cut wood pieces. Some people do a variety of radiator covers for homes that still have radiators. They do them in old fashioned designs like Old English, Vienna and others.

Wine Racks — if you are someone who has a wine cellar or just has a few bottles you want to sit somewhere try your hand at a wine rack. These are somewhat simple to create and your CNC Router can help you get it done quickly.

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CNC

When you are looking for a CNC Router there are many things to take into consideration before you buy it. There are many manufacturers who have what you need and you can get a good bargain if you do some research ahead of time.

Here are some things to think about as you are deciding what type of machine you want to buy:

§ Do some research — before you start looking for a CNC Router it is a good idea to do research on all the different types of routers available. If you already have used one, then you know what they can do.
§ Decide what you need — from the research you do you will know the types of projects you want to do and what different machines will do. Sometimes there will be a very specific CNC Router that will fix exactly what you want to do.
Decide on your budget — As with any big project, you need a budget so you can get a router that has the same features you need and you can still stick to your budget.
§ Buy what you need — you will find a lot of CNC routers that have bells and whistles on them that you will probably never use. There are also machines that don’t have enough for you, so a rule of thumb is to buy what you need with a little upgrade to make sure you get the performance you want.
§ Reliability — you will want to know that the machine you buy will be reliable with larger work loads if you need them. Sometimes people forget the amount of load that you will want the CNC Router to hold, so don’t forget about this.
§ Durability — check the materials in the main parts of your router to make sure that they can make intricate cuts or carvings and that it can withstand a lot of use. This will really depend on the materials it is made from.
§ Know the Software — you will have some sort of software, usually CAD to understand so that you will know how to make the machine function properly. Sometimes vendors will offer training on this and if so, it’s a good idea to take it.
§ Create a space — sometimes people go out to purchase a machine and they find that it is too big for the space they have. This is an important component of buying a CNC router so make sure your router will fit in the space you have and that the floor you have it on can withstand the weight, if the machine is a large one.

Beyond these tips it is important to shop around. If you are willing to do a little footwork you can go where you may be able to try out the CNC Routing . Although some people may have used machines it would be better to buy it new so you know its status. Always try the manufacturer to see if you can purchase directly as depending on your needs, it may be better for you than a distributor.

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CNC

A CNC Router has several different parts that make up its total machine. It is important to know about these components so that you can make sure each is working properly. This is especially interesting information when you are thinking about building your own Router.

The most important parts and components of a small CNC Routing are as follows:

1. Worktable — this is where you will sit the material so that it can be cut. You will use a clamp to hold the material down.
2. Router — the router is the part of the machine that uses a high speed to turn the cutting tool.
3. Cutting Tool — this is the tool that cuts the material that you lay on the table.
4.Collet — this part is soley used to hole your cutting tool in the exact located needed on the router.
5.Dust Extraction Outlet — your router will make plenty of dust - use this to take the dust out of the machine.
6.Guard — whoever is running the router will want this because it will protect this person. It is important to keep this down when the machine is in operation.
7. Control Panel — you can use the controls to use the router either manually or automatically.
8. Stop Button — this is the button that will stop the machine in an emergency.
9. Door Handles — this holds the guard into place and will not allow the router to move unless the guard is down.

These are the components for a small table machine but when you want something bigger as you might for a large machine shop or manufacturing industry, the router will be more sophisticated. These machines will need the computer component which is the CNC Controller and you will need the CAD software to run it. There are many websites that will tell you more about how to build your own and will have a listing of all the parts necessary.

As you explore the parts and components of a CNC Router you will find that they are made from a variety of materials. As an example, when you are choosing a machine to make, you will find some components in wood, others in aluminum and others in steel. What components you choose will depend on your budget and their availability.

Just like anything else with the web, you can find a lot of your parts and components online at various stores. Sometimes these individuals can really be a good help when you are trying to choose components and parts.

The parts that you choose will also depend on what you want to do with it and the types of projects you are going to use it for. Sometimes you need to take a moment to look at your space then you can design the router to fit that space.

The final consideration is whether or not you want a fully animated machine or not. If you want it fully automated it is obvious that it will need different parts than if you want to use the router by hand. Prior to purchase its best to take your time and really research what you will need for your very own CNC Router.

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