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cad/cam

CNC Glossary

CAD (Computer-aided design)
Geometry authoring tool that involves software and sometimes special-purpose hardware. Current packages range from 2D vector based drafting systems to 3D solid and surface modellers.

CAM (Computer-aided manufacturing)
Considered as an NC programming tool wherein 3D models of components generated in CAD software are used to generate CNC code to drive numerical controlled machine tools

Computer Numberical Control (computer numerical control)
Refers specifically to a computer “controller” that reads G-code instructions and drives the machine tool.

CAD/CAM part programming
The computer calculation and creation of a toolpath based on part geometry information created in CAD.

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CNC and CAD

Intro to designing
Designing is arguably the most important step to the CAD Design Process.  Why you might ask?  Because it is at the beginning.  This is the planning stage of the process.  If you come up with a bad design, all of your work after this point is lost.  I also think of designing as the planning process.  You need an inventory of what you have to work with before you begin.

Every thing needs some planning to start with.  Whether it is a family vacation or buying a home.  CAD and CNC Processis no different.  You need to think about what you want to accomplish before you ever invest any time or money.  Now I am not saying you need to have a perfect plan.  What I am saying is that you need to at least have a plan.  Believe me I have had many plans and virtually none of them ended up perfect.  What it did do was give me a guide to follow.  A roadmap of sorts.

You also need to know your limitations.  For example, don’t go designing a metal sign if you have a CNC Wood Router and nothing else.  Or, you want to make a 2” thick wood routed sign, but your CNC Wood Router only has 1” clearance.  You will need to know you own personal capabilities and your shop’s capabilities.  Once you know that, you can improve your situation either through training or purchasing other tools.

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cnc steps

Any subject that covers working in the shop should begin with safety.Safety should always be at the top of your mind.CNC is not different than any other shop topic that you will encounter.  In fact, the highest levels of safety awareness should be maintained when using a CNC machine.

CNC machines don’t have a mind of their own.  A computer gives them a command and they execute it.  They don’t care if they are cutting steel, aluminum, wood or your hand.  They don’t differentiate between materials.  You need to be aware of this.

When you are Learning CNC you should take it slow.  Do tests on a small scale, then watch and learn what happens.  For example, why don’t you let your machine “cut air” for a while when you first get it.  You don’t need to put it right to work cutting material.  Why not create a simple program, and let the machine cut the air instead of material.  Better yet, why even run the spindle during the test.

Every CNC Machine has quirks that you need to learn.  Every CNC machine has a different working envelope.  Every CNC machine is just a little bit different then the rest of them.CNC safety requires that you learn about your machine before you use it.

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cnc overview

Quick Explanation of the Process
This is how I view Computer Numerical Control.  I break it down into simple steps that I can remember.  Now, they all interact, but it is good to keep them in boxes for simplicity sake.  I also like to keep them in a logical, progression type order.  Here they are: Design, CAD, CAM, Control and Machine.

Today you are going on a journey.  You are going to learn about the basics of CNC.  I hope you are as excited as I am about this topic.

I have been using CNC equipment in my home shop for six years now.The CNC technology gets better all the time.  The software gets better every year.  At one time large companies could only afford this technology.Now there are thousands of CNC machines working in shops like yours and mine.

There are basically five elements to a CNC Project that you need to know:
Design - planning on what you want to build
Computer Aided Design - translating it into the computer
CAM - converting it into machine language
Controlling - controlling your machines movements
Machining - building the part to specifications

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