What Is CNC Programming?
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. With the help of a CNC, we can easily produce or manufacture parts in a short time.
Computer numerical control is what is behind CNC, and it represents the computer usage for certain operations that need to be done. And this type of process is usually used to router, lathe, laser machines and foam cutters - and the same process can be used for mini versions of these machines.
Actually, there are two main categories in which the CNC program will be placed, a continuous path positioning category or a point to point category. Usually a computer can execute both types of programming depending on the sophistication of the software program being used. In order to run the machine properly, the operator has to understand both of these processes completely.
And now I will present you with the explantaion of the categories stated above:
We use point to point positioning category in computer numerical control if we need to tapp, drill, bore or punch. This is a process used to position from one point to another when the machine process is being done. To tell it more directly, it will go from one position to another, no matter how many are there, and it will keep working until the complete process is finished.
To use contouring, we need continuous path positioning which is present in case we work with a lathe or a milling machine at the moment. It’s just a different name that we use for the same category. Since the cutting tool will move constantly through all points, without stopping, the piece will be completed in one move. It is necessary that the operator knows how to program the machine so it can continue to work on several axes in the sime time.
If we understant these two processes perfectly, we will have better results on the work we do.
CNC Plasma Cutter Overview
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. It was also found that if the opening where the inert gas passed through was restricted it would make a hotter flame. You could speed up the flow by making the opening smaller.
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. If you are trying to describe this process it is simply put that this process sends gas through a channel where it then becomes 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 Cutting 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 Machining General Information
CNC Machining refers to any process that uses a CNC machine. This could be for routing, milling, drilling, or other types of work that is done with metal, wood or other materials. This is a manufacturing process that uses the automatic opportunity from the computer to create shapes or forms that must be precise.
Raw materials are used and they are put into a CNC machine that uses cutting tools to make these shapes. The CNC machining process involves computers that have at least one microprocessor and several units for storage. With CAD or CAM software systems added to CNC the computer can be programmed to produce the precise movements that are able to create the part.
In CNC machining the process is automated which saves the operator time and saves the business money. The operator is able to load the materials, program the machine and then the machine can work without attention when set up properly; the amount of time it is run without attention is also programmed in.
An important aspect of any CNC Machining is for the operator to know the machine well. CNC is an addition to the general aspects of the machine. As an example, if you are doing routing, adding CNC to the process only automates it. However, for the operator, it means that they must understand the machine, how to put in codes or use CAD or CAM and how to operate the machine; they must also understand how basic routing works.
Another area that is important in order to understand CNC Machining is the basic components of the machine. You are going to always want someone working with the machine who knows how to put it all together so if something breaks they know how to fix the machine. This also allows the operator to understand the limitations and the capabilities of the machine to get the most out of its use.
There are five areas that will eventually come up when an operator is working on a CNC Maching Project. They will first think about the project they want to design and plan it out. This is where sitting down and drawing out plans will be a good idea.
The next area is to understand CAD to translate the drawing into the computer and then an understanding of CAM to translate the CAD information into machine language. In the final area the individual must understand the Controlling function in order to make the machine do what is required. When all these areas are fulfilled properly they allow the individual to create the project in the way they saw it in their drawing.
CNC machining was traditionally only done in commercial settings with very large CNC machines. Today, there are mini-CNC machines that allow the process to be done on a smaller scale in a home workshop. What is nice is that now even a smaller business can take advantage of building parts and projects on a much smaller scale and where not available to them before unless it was a larger scale.
CNC machining can produce both simple and complex designs and can be used on a variety of materials including aluminum, foam, wood and other metals.
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CNC Mini Lathes and Basic CNC Mini Lathe Information
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 Machine 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. Right now is some of the best time to find things that manufacturers have developed so you can convert to CNC.
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. You can usually buy plans that include pictures and step-by-step directions for around $50.
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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What is CNC?
CNC Intro
Questions, Questions and a few more Questions
What is CNC?
What do the letters “C-N-C” stand for?
How can it help me?
Why would I want to learn it?
Where do I begin?
Do I need special software? If so, which one?
Do I need a machine? If so, how much?
We will get to these questions shortly and cover each of them. What has probably led you here today are questions?You have problems you want to solve and you think Computer Numerical Control can help? Guess what, that is exactly how I began the CNC journey as well!
So, where am I at today?
Today I have multiple CNC machines that I work with. Each have their own nuances, software, capabilities and functions. The point of it is that they are all CNC. They all follow the same basic process. That process is pure gold if you know it.You can move from cnc machine to cnc machine and know what is going on. That is what I want to teach you.
CNC Machines I own today:
CNC Plasma Cutter Machine – My 1st CNC machine.A good project if you want to build your own CNC machine. Born out of necessity. She is a little rough around the edges, but a solid friend.
Vinyl Cutter – This is a unique type of CNC Machine. This machine uses a small knife to cut out vinyl in any shape or size. Think “sticker machine.” You know the stickers on the back of every jacked up truck you have ever seen. You know, “P_ss on Chevy, Ford, Dodge, etc.A vinyl cutter is actually a “sticker-making machine.” I actually bought it to cut sandblast resist, which is a whole different story.
CNC Mill Machine – My 3rd CNC machine. This one I purchased.It is a CNC Bridgeport Clone if you want to get exact. It is funny how addictive this hobby is. I bought this machine to make the parts for a CNC Wood Router. “Wait, you bought one CNC Machine to build another CNC Machine?” The answer is…. YES! I love this hobby.
CNC Wood Router – My fourth machine. My father likes woodworking and I like steel working. This is kind of a bridge machine for me. I have found woodworking with CNC to be really cool. It has gotten me into 3D milling on the cheap. Think of the cost of 3D milling a brick of aluminum or a block of wood into a shape. That’s right. No Brainer. Wood is free in comparison.
CNC Hobby Growth Story
CNC as a hobby has really seen a huge growth spurt over the last 8 years. I think I stepped into it about two years after it started cooking in the late 90s. When I jumped in there were a few CNC Groups going already and about three different CNC Plasma Tables available at the hobby level. I don’t know where the other machine types were at the time because I came in through the plasma path. I would guess they were further behind as CNC Plasma Cutters was one of the first areas of CNC to take off in the Hobby arena.
Most of the quick growth I would say is because of the Internet. Groups formed, ideas were shared. Feedback was given. People started making “chips” and didn’t look back.The Internet brought technology into garages across the country. When I built my $4000 CNC Plasma Table a hobbyist class machine was around $10,000 and a commercial machine was $100,000 to as high as you wanted to go.
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