| > | | | | like yours and mine. |
| There are many steps in CNC. This article will lay | | | | There are basically five elements to a CNC |
| out the most important steps in the CNC process. | | | | Project that you need to know:Design - thinking |
| Quick Explanation of the ProcessThis is how I | | | | and planning what you want to buildCAD - |
| view CNC. I break it down into simple steps that | | | | translating it into the computerCAM - converting it |
| I can remember. Now, they all interact, but it is | | | | into machine languageControlling - directing your |
| good to keep them in boxes for simplicity sake. | | | | machine's motionMachining - building the part to |
| I also like to keep them in a logical, progression | | | | specifications |
| type order. Here they are: Design, CAD, CAM, | | | | These five elements are really the building blocks |
| Control and Machine. | | | | to a CNC project. As you see them above, that |
| Today you are going on a journey. You are | | | | is generally the order people associate them in. |
| going to learn about the basics of CNC. I hope | | | | For example, you can't control until you have a |
| you are as excited as I am about this topic. I | | | | design. You can't use your CAM software |
| have been using CNC equipment in my home | | | | before your CAD software. One of the main |
| shop for six years now. The technology gets | | | | things you need to address is how these |
| better and better every year. | | | | elements interact with each other. |
| The software gets better every year. At one | | | | Right now this may seem confusing. Over time, |
| time large companies could only afford this | | | | it will seem very basic. The more you use these |
| technology. Now there are hundreds of | | | | elements with one another, the more their order |
| thousands of these machines working in garages | | | | will become second nature. |