Introduction to CNC

Subtractive Fabrication and Axes of Operation

Notes

1. A CNC machine utilises a fast-spinning router to cut away chips of material from a larger stock material which is held in place.
2. CNC allows the user to create complex objects at a consistency unmatched by human hands. A high-powered router allows a large variety of materials to be processed at many different speeds.
3. 3-axis - Ability to traverse X, Y & Z axes concurrently. Most CNC machines are 3-axis

2 & 3 Axis Milling Operations

Router Bit Variation

Notes

1. At Fablab most of our 2-axis work is done with 4.76, 6.35 and 8mm flatmill downcutters. These measurements come in handy when you’re designing parts.

Overview Process of Digital to Physical

Next: Geometry

Fablab Template Intro

Notes

1. Download FabLab template from the website
2. Model your stock using the _Box command

3 Axis Toolpath Geometry Creation

2 Axis Toolpath Geometry Creation

Cutting File Finalisation & Tips

Notes

1. _Purge removes unused layers and other file management techniques. It CANNOT be undone

Deriving toolpath geometry from a model

Notes

1. _Move, V allows the user to move geometry along the Z axis
2. _Make2d projects geometry to a chosen plane
3. _DupBorder will duplicate the outline of a surface
4. _SetPt allows the explicit setting of any, all or a combination of the X,Y,Z coordinates of any geometry
5. _CurveBoolean - allows the trimming, splitting and joining of a series of curves

Resources

1. Click here for the Dog-bone corner generator

Adding another sheet to the Fablab Template

Notes

1. _Move, V allows the user to move geometry along the Z axis
2. _SetPt allows the explicit setting of any, all or a combination of the X,Y,Z coordinates of any geometry

Next: The FabLab Way

Geometry Restrictions

Notes

1. A CNC machine utilises a fast-spinning router to cut away chips of material from a larger stock material which is held in place.
2. CNC allows the user to create complex objects at a consistency unmatched by human hands. A high-powered router allows a large variety of materials to be processed at many different speeds.
3. 3-axis - Ability to traverse X, Y & Z axes concurrently. Most CNC machines are 3-axis

Modifying Detail for CNC Machining Operations

Modifying Detail for CNC Machining Operations Prototype

Notes

1. Quick vertical line - _LineV
2. Simple Boolean Operations - _BooleanUnion, _BooleanDifference

Next: Toolpathing

Toolpathing Process 2D

Toolpathing Process 3D