Melvin Wolgamott - CNC: How Hard Can it Be

Edition License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your publishing house and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Some formatting changes 3-2-2015 to comply with newest publishing standards.

About the author

CNC machining has been a goal of mine since the mid 90s I had been on a web gaining information in the CNC world. Most of the information in this eBook is available in various places on the internet and in college courses. However until this publishing it has not been available in an organized, easy to read eBook format. Organized in chronological order required for proper functioning complete CNC system. I have put much thought and tips into this eBook. A long time spent lurking on a site called Mach3 for some time by the 2000s.

I am semi-retired and live in northern MI and find myself with time on my hands. Hence publishing my CNC eBook. I have run many machines over my career, from mechanical repair to designer of LED street lights. Most of my experience has been self taught with some minor mentoring. I do have an AS certificate at a community college. Hopefully this is the first of many eBooks published by myself. Keep an open mind and by all means make comments.

Thank you for your interest in my publication.

Work Flow & Design Concept Diagram

Ideas are turned into CAD Design

Cad to Digital output file

CAM software generates G-code for machine controller

Final Step G-code execution at CNC Machine

I can make widgets with this thing.

Ask yourself the questions below. Print this sheet out and answer the questions below. If you answer in a negative way to any of the questions rethink and do an honest self assessment

To see if you are ready to devote the time involved to learn the basics and become self sufficient in the art of CNC. If you have come this far you have some idea of what a CNC machine can do. Remember to answer honestly.

What is my Budget for this project?_________________________________________________

Associated tooling_______________________________________________________________

Software?_____________________________________________________________________

What will I do with a CNC Machine?________________________________________________

2D work_______________________________________________________________________

2.5D work______________________________________________________________________

3D work_______________________________________________________________________

4 axis work_____________________________________________________________________

5 axis work_____________________________________________________________________

6 axis work_____________________________________________________________________

What do I want a CNC machine to do? _______________________________________________

Do I want to purchase others work in CAD design.______________________________________

What is my budget for purchased CAD designs? _______________________________________

Do I know a cad system?

I know 2D______________________________________________________________________

I know 2.5D____________________________________________________________________

I Know 3D_____________________________________________________________________

Will your CAD system output DWG, DXF, IGS, STEP, STL or some other format? Proprietary machine language severely limits choices____________________________________________

Or a CAM system understands?____________________________________________________

Do you own a machine with operating software?______________________________________

Does the operating software produce machine code to run machine?_______________________

Do you plan to purchase some sort of CAM software to produce machine code?______________

What program and how much does it cost?___________________________________________

Many CAM programs post processors output lots of machine styles of code, does the one Ive picked out have the correct post processor? ________________________________________________

Do you know how to run CAM programs?___________________________________________

How long will it take me to learn the program fitting my needs?__________________________

In the self assessment you may have already decided to or, not to pursue CNC as a hobby or as a part time money making adventure. This is a decision that needs to be made before you spend your hard earned money, possibly from an already tight budget. If this is the case the small amount paid for the E-book is money already well spent. If you have decided to go further in this adventure you will have gained an insight into what is required to make the whole system work.

This writing the first of many eBooks in the future is not designed to discourage the reader, the purpose it to help you make an informed decision if or when, you get ready to purchase.

Today if you start asking people around you what a CNC machine is? Many will come back with the answer its a machine run by a computer, or similar answer. They do not know what is needed to get to the point where the computer will make the CNC machine run! Everything in the background is invisible. This self assessment and eBook bring all required pieces into sight of the average person. This person can then make decisions on where to start investing money or time required learning some of the softwares needed to complete system functionality. This stuff isnt going away anytime in the foreseeable future. In fact it will become a larger part your everyday life in the near future. With the recent advancements 3D printing technologies a broken plastic piece of that appliance that no longer works can be made at home. You will have the ability to make your own parts. The new technologies bring building an entire functioning device yourself from scratch.

Some of us with factory experience have seen all the individual components required to make the entire system work in unison. This eBook is designed to give a comprehensive overview of these individual components.

Whether you decide to buy or build CNC system for your use. When you are ready to start your system for the first time you will stand back with shock and awe watching the machine perform its appointed rounds.