Thursday 16 October 2008

Computer numerical control overview process

cnc steps

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 trust you are as excited as I am about this subject.


I have been using CNC equipment in my home shop for six years now.The technology gets better every year.  The software gets better every year.  At one time large companies could only afford this technology.Now there are hundreds of CNC machines working in garages.

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

These five elements are really the building blocks to a CNC project.  As you see them above, that is generally the order people associate them in.For example you can't control your CNC machine until you have a design ready.  You can't use your CAM software before your CAD software.One of the things you need to take into account is how these different elements interact with one another.
Right now this may seem confusing.  Over time, it will seem very basic.  The more you use these elements with one another, the more their order will become second nature.

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