Thank GOD someone (you) did a basic beginner video- hell…..I’m Gen X and so interested in this system that it’s driving me CRAZY! Thank you for clearly defining what it is💕
Im a reasonably proficient amateur wood worker but all this computerised stuff is new to me. I'm glad I watched your video before my new cnc router arrives. At least I'll be semi prepared for the learning process. Thank you 👍
Great video for new mechanical engineers! I've been working professionally as an engineer for 2 years now and this is a topic that is definitely important for mechanical engineers to understand!
You couldnt have explained all this more intelligently and plain. It clears up a great deal of what YOU DONT KNOW...before starting...I am pleased that I did find your video.....EXCELLENT...!!
Perfect primer. I have been printing 3D for less than a year and expect to get my small CNC mill today. I can see that this process is nowhere near plug and play, but most of "surviving" the learning curve is to have an idea of what you are in for. Thanks!
It's fun. I've enjoyed the Haas VF2 and Amera seiki models over the past couple of years. I was that guy. Had no idea how it worked. But cool. Eventually, I got the opportunity to learn it. Ive had a blast learning over the past 4 years. I got to learn blueprint reading, tools, effectiveness of the tools, and programming.
Great video Caleb! It feels like it does a great job of providing a nice overview of many of the important aspects for beginners to consider when looking into CNC cutting for the first time 👍
In 10 days my classes (last 3 months) for CNC operator, will start, by watching your video, it seems complex (I am scared). But hopefully practice makes it perfect....(or a lot of parctice)....
I wish I had this kind of introduction when I started. Even now there are useful bits (pun intended). Subtractive machining is a lot more difficult than additive one.
I just wanted to say thank you for this video and taking the time to explain things in the ways you did. You've gained a subscriber and I'm looking forward to watching more videos from your channel
so what is the purpose of having to do it manually as opposed to a 3d printer?? id imagine today wed have the tech to tell a cnc machine what to do on its own?
Subtractive fabrication is completely different from additive (3d printing) fabrication. It's easy to tell a 3d printer what to make with a single file because it's building the material as it moves. Doesn't work when you're cutting down (subtracting) from a material, compared to building up a material. Building up a material means what nothing is in the way of the nozzle aside from what layers it has already fabricated. That's the only reason the printer knows what material it's building on, because it already built that layer itself. With a CNC machine, the machine has no clue as to what the material it works on looks like, it can't sense where the material is or what shape it is or where the cuts are or where the solid parts are. It's blind. A blind cutting mechanism that you must direct command by command, because it can't tell what your material looks like before or after milling. That's the difference is a 3d printer still can't "see" but it knows the shape of the material it's printing because it built every layer of it. I hope this makes sense.
@@Boogie_the_cat I understand however, with todays technology I would think there would be some sort of "digital 3 dimentional coordinate map system" that tells the machine where it can move, the same exact way the human brain would do, just incredibly faster. Like how slicing works on 3d printing. CNC slicing would be like you upload the 3d model you need cut out, and instead of forming a Gcode from bottom to top, layer by layer, it can scan the shape of whatever material you use using lazers or sensors, similar to how 3d image scanners work. It can then tell the machine where the cutting edge can go in order to not mess up the piece and to make all the necessary cuts. You know what I mean?
Perhaps a more simple explanation. A random block of aluminum is placed into the CNC machine. The machine is equipped with special sensors that sense the exact shape of whatever material is inside at all angles, giving constant real time feedback on this shape. The computer then takes this shape and calculates the best possible movements for the cutting edge in order to create the object without issues. Like if we can do it, I dont see why a computer cant... we just need a way to allow the machine to know where its going, know where it has been and know the exact shape of material inside the machine and its position before it starts. My main point is i feel like we are capable of that technology, so im wondering why its not done that way.
Hello! I'm asking for some advice. I need to cut some MDF letters with a thickness of 1/4, but my settings aren't working. What do you suggest? What settings could help me? Thank you very much.
Hey I haven't touched one in 20 years so thank you for taking the time to keep doing these videos despite the naysayers. I just like knowing everything whether I'm using it practically in the moment or not because you never know when you might need the additional Information.
Only problem with all these CNC videos... What to do if a person like me has no clue about computers. I understand about the 3 axis. After that, it's all Chinese to me. CAD .CAM... These are meaningless to me. How to go on computer and make a design... Like for a coin .. impossible for me So .. As much as I want a CNC ...and love what they can do .. ( and 3D printers too )... There's no way for me to do anything with them. So buying one is just a waste of money. And I know... Since I already did a couple years ago during Covid. I ended up throwing the CNC milling machine into the garbage dumpster in frustration. ( Plus, I don't have Facebook or any clue how to sell things on line.... )
Set a foundation. Take small steps at a time. Research and learn about the basics of computers, what you can do on a computer, and how to use a computer. Learn about computer hardware and software. Then, download a CAD software, something free at least to start, and learn about the software. Consider learning other 3D and 2D software for their benefits and uses. Also, learn how to take care of your computer (pc) and backup your data. It’d be good to research building it yourself vs buying a prebuilt. Either way, decide what hardware you want based on your needs, the value, and your budget. I hope this helps!
Doing design for 3D (resin MSLA primarily) and transitioning to adapt that same model for CAM was a real interesting journey. All the things you take for granted with overhangs, undercuts and such being just a support issue now becomes either correcting A LOT of geometry or segregating models for the capability of the machine, namely cutting things in half and making positive/negative bodies. Optimizing for toolpaths and such was more fun, as you can dial in full control and see what shakes out most immediately. As I generally say, failure is the best teacher. Fail early, analyze it to death, experiment with the cheap(er) components and transition to bigger power when you get the basics down.
