Basic CNC

Question

Sorry to ask this question, but I have a new CNC MACHINE but I have not a clue how it works so frightened to try and use it without it disintegrating into loads of bits. So I live in Hereford in the UK and would like help from someone who would be prepared to show me. A good supply of brews a good dinner and if one day is not enough then you can stay.

I would be grateful for any help.

many thanks

RayMoreton

r.moreton@tesco.net

D_Hersey · Answer

The worst thing with a CNC mill is to crash the cutter into the table. You can use a piece of wooden dowel rod to simulate an end mill and 'cut air' the first time you run your program. You didn't say your device was a lathe or a grinder or a wire EDM, lotsa stuff can be CNC. This is not a trivial topic. I live in the states and one of the local JuCos (Harper) is putting a program together. I don't know the hierarchical divisions of secondary education where MK got his certs. But however you do it over there I would try to get trained in school. Failing that, manufacturers of CNC equipment do a lot of educating as well. Are you acquainted with conventional machining?

michaelkellett · Answer

Can you post a picture and spec of your machine. If you want some trial material to cut that's a step up from Oasis flower stuff then buy some ModelBoard- here's a note I sent to someone a while ago: It was made from this stuff (probably M540): http://www.alchemie.com/category/products/modelboard/polyurethane-modelboard/ but only because that was convenient for prototyping - for production it should be molded and there are a host of suitable plastics you might use - you would need to get advice from the tool designer/plastic molder. You can make functional things from the right grade of modelboard - one day I mean to make some loudspeaker cabinets from it. MK

D_Hersey · Answer

G codes are 'go codes,' they result in movement, M codes are 'modal codes,' like turn on/off the coolant, It is neat that you have cutter radius and cutter length compensation as well as changeable coordinates. I have a buddy who does wicked things with those features, way beyond the obvious. He was my teacher for my Okuma-Howa certs in lathe and mill. Always clamp your stuff down really, really well. Your machine will vibrate.

Basic CNC

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