Cole2534
Diamond
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2010
- Location
- Oklahoma City, OK
I don't know how it could get any easier than 2 axis Mazatrol.
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How simple can CNC Machining get?
- Thread starter Sincerd
- Start date
- Replies 78
- Views 5,219
MetalMetz
Plastic
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2024
- Location
- Kannapolis, NC
just remembered about this software after reading everyone bitch and not answer your question. this is probably what you're looking for. https://www.plasticity.xyz/
MetalMetz
Plastic
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2024
- Location
- Kannapolis, NC
works for a basic lathe and mill, but live tooling slots and all good luck hand coding in a day.
MetalMetz
Plastic
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2024
- Location
- Kannapolis, NC
... what... in the... huh???? bet you got a big ol' caulk storage...There's some of the old PM spirit
To the OP... Seriously, do some reading on your own (the link posted above actually WAS helpful if you'd explore it), thicken up your skin some, and when you've got some base knowledge, you'll begin to understand more of the posts here, and you'll begin to understand what questions you should ask to get proper answers here.
To use the drywall analogy again, you're currently asking "Should I use mud or caulk when I tape my joints?", and when we tell you to use mud, you say "But I think I should be able to use caulk".... That's why you're getting this reception. Crusty or not, PM is generally where all the guys who actually really, REALLY know their stuff hang around. It's worth sticking around and learning what questions you should ask. The guys can be crusty, but if you show an interest in helping yourself, they're also usually pretty generous with their knowledge. Consider that most applications guys for CNC machining, setup, or programming are often billing at $200+/hr + per diem + travel + lodging.... The knowledge you can get here for free is invaluable.
Houdini
Titanium
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2017
The question is 'how simple can cnc machining get"
and you post a link to CAD only software
MetalMetz
Plastic
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2024
- Location
- Kannapolis, NC
that that's what he asked for? a super simple thing.. haha cool software thoughThe question is 'how simple can cnc machining get"
and you post a link to CAD only software
Hold the picture in front of the control, tell it you need +/-.0001 on all dimensions, press the green button, wait a few moments, retrieve your completed part.The question is 'how simple can cnc machining get"
and you post a link to CAD only software
Easy.
Strostkovy
Titanium
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2017
If you don't have a drawing, you can also think directly into the RS232 port
dkmc
Diamond
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2002
Ya well, funny but I knew a guy that bought a used cnc lathe for about 3 times what it was worth. He was enamored with the color screen and 'conversational' software included in the control. Couple days after it was delivered, he figured out what "G" code really was. A week later I stopped by, he was standing at the machine with a print, overrides turned way down. Pushes GREEN button, machine no workie like he wanted.......RED button.....smack side of control pendant a couple times, kick the sheet metal. I left after the 2nd repeat performance. Machine mostly sat for 4-5 years, then sold at large loss.
I -tried- to explain things a bit.....he knew better.
I've heard of a few people being successful running other people's programs. Have you not? Pretty sure there was a YouTube video from PM about a guy too. Kind of surprised how hard it is to make a living in this field on manual machines and all the Investments and tooling needed to be capable.
If I lost everything tomorrow, I could go make 1k per day with $100 worth of tools and a $5 add the next day. I figure machining probably scales better, but the left selling the middle class out with "preferred trading status" in th 1980s with China really seems to have destroyed small manual shops.
dkmc
Diamond
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2002
You need to do an informercial or sell a how to book. I'd buy it.
tylersteez
Aluminum
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2019
I've been manual machining for years and recently acquired a Haas ST-10 that I've been teaching myself how to use with mastercam. There's tons of math and numbers in machining in general (calculating speeds and feeds, reading and inferring drawings, angles, measuring). 75% of it is simple addition, subtraction, and dividing by 2.
In terms of CNC machining, the cam software does make it a breeze to the point where you're not just looking at lines of code the entire time. however, it's still good practice to know what the code is saying and doing, even if the program is writing it for you. I'm always going back into the post and adding a coolant command or changing a speed or feed rate on a new program. The software is basically just drawing a part from dimensions and then creating a toolpath for the machine. In the toolpath, you will need to calculate speeds and feeds, depth of cuts, and other standard machining numbers. The biggest surprise for me when I began working with cnc was offsets, it requires a decent amount of thought and input to locate the machine, it's tooling, and the work piece so they dont crash into eachother. If I had to go back and worry about anything prior, it would be understanding offsets.
In terms of CNC machining, the cam software does make it a breeze to the point where you're not just looking at lines of code the entire time. however, it's still good practice to know what the code is saying and doing, even if the program is writing it for you. I'm always going back into the post and adding a coolant command or changing a speed or feed rate on a new program. The software is basically just drawing a part from dimensions and then creating a toolpath for the machine. In the toolpath, you will need to calculate speeds and feeds, depth of cuts, and other standard machining numbers. The biggest surprise for me when I began working with cnc was offsets, it requires a decent amount of thought and input to locate the machine, it's tooling, and the work piece so they dont crash into eachother. If I had to go back and worry about anything prior, it would be understanding offsets.
Really not as hard as you might think. This paid 13k and finished in 3 days. I've thought of doing youtube but gave uo on the video editing. Dicking around on a computer isnt my idea of fun. Probably the same for cnc I'd guess.
Attachments
dkmc
Diamond
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2002
Well there's that. I'm not sure what's worse, drywall or a full on spray of coolant in the face. Maybe the money would change my mind after-a-while. Seems like in theory drywall is simple enough you could actually hire a crew to do it, maybe not.
Looking at the picture, you said $100 worth of tools. Those sissor lifts aren't free are they?
BajaFire
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2023
- Location
- Across the street from McDonald's
Nah, they ain't free. But the jobs that pay only $1k aren't the ones that require a scissor lift!
dustywalski
Plastic
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2023
lol
A large majority of the time lifts are on site provided by GCs freebof charge. I'm talking about the decking though. Also quite a bit more then 1k. I also do drywall but fk drywall in every different direction. You can contract out to work, never touch tools and do a lot better than that. But again not something I like spending my time doing.
john.k
Diamond
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2012
- Location
- Brisbane Qld Australia
i see an ad for a machine that can print a picture on drywall.....or any wall .............hell ,my kids were doing that free 40 years ago.
DanP_85
Aluminum
- Joined
- May 24, 2008
- Location
- Taupo, New Zealand
I for one can't wait till AI takes our jobs if life is going to be as good as it thinks it will be.
