What's in the perfect home CNC book ???

[Graham S]

My question is, what would be in the perfect home CNC book?

What I am trying to do is create a virtual table of contents. What is it you feel you don't understand? What things seem more art that science? etc etc ???

I should mention that I am not planning on writing such a book and if I did it would be a free download.

Graham

[Graham S]

I will sort of compile the suggestions in this post, will re-jig as we go along:

Fundementals:

* What is force
* What is torque
* What is (mechanical) power
* cartesian coordinates

Motion:

* Step and direction control
* How to choose leadscrew-gearing-motor combos
* stepper motors
* servo motors
* Stepper or servo?
* axis movement
* 4/5 axis

Mechanics:

* Motor couplings
* Mounting leadscrews
* Linear slide types
* Homemade rail configurations
* construction materials
* accuracy considerations
* alignment methods
* spindle motors
* What is stiffness, what makes things stiff
* Backlash
* Does accuracy always matter, what is it? What is precision?


CAD/CAM process:

*What is CAD
*What is CAM
*G-code

Electronics:

* Motor power supplies

Machining:

* Force requirements for cutting
* Feeds and speeds
* Roughing and finishing stratagies
* Cutter types
* Climb vs conventional
* router types
* Tool offset
* Work table types
* Vacuum chucks/tables


Apendix:

Glossary

[arvidb]

* What is force

* What is torque

* What is (mechanical) power

* Motor power supplies

These are some things that often appear as questions in one way or the other.

Arvid

[Konstantin]

There is a good read about CNC machine construction in www.thermwood.com, namely "Three Dimensional Trimming and Machining" wich discuss about general CNC machine components and goes indepth on many hidden issues, mainly hard learned on practice and often overlooked when building the machine.

I have mentioned this book once but I believe it deserves another mention. Maybe a few ideas in Thermwood's documents will result benefical for the purposes of this book.


Konstantin

[High Seas]

Graham - I applude and support however I can. I ask for some focus. I'll offer the following to (hopefully clarify):
WHO is the target audience? Rank beginner - or sometime user to full time machinist?
WHY are they interested? Hobby, part time home-based business, just like machines and tools -HARGGGH HARGHH.
HOW much can they spend? Time and Money.
HOW big based on the what'cha gonna do with it, but also how much space and power available.
WHAT are their skills? NONE - to advanced Machinist looking for a hobby machine, or to go into business and save some by DIY.
WHAT will they be building? How much resolution do they need, what sort of precission and how accurate their finished product?
WHICH form of machine - Obviously based on WHAT, WHY and HOW; but is it a PCB board drilling machine - or a 18x9 foot router? Is it a LATHE conversion or a Plasma Cutter? A laser based engraving machine or something to cut dog collars and engrave ballpoint pens on?
HOW do they match servo/stepper to their needs, Power and torque, and alll.

Maybe I missed your point on review - the perfect Home CNC book? If it is for someone that has a machine, DIY or bought off eBay, there are a different set of interests I'd propose too.

ROUGHING Pass and Final Cut - thoughts and techniques.
Types of tools used on a router for a variety of cuts.
Certainly feed and spped are alwyas a concern but whats the smarts on up cut or down.
Tips to set up and alternatives to milling the parts - there was a great post a few weeks back that gave a good hint on "faking" 3D by how you plunge Z as I recall.

And as I type at my 3 works per fortnight I see Konstantin may have a lead - so I'll post this rather long-winded maybe useless item.
But ya got my juices goin' Jim

[Graham S]

Good point Arvid.

Thanks for the heads up Konstantin

Highseas, assume it is the CNC bible. Just put what YOU want in it.

Graham

[duluthboat]

• understanding CAD
• understanding CAM
• understanding cartesian coordinates
• understanding G-code
To add a few.
Gary

[pminmo]

The real bible is a BIG book. How about starting with DIYers Wood Router bible, reflecting who would read this forum. --> "DIY CNC Wood Router Discussion"
*stepper motors
*servo motors
*router types
*axis movement
*construction materials
*accuracy considerations
*speed considerations
*spindle motors
*alignment methods
*TIP's
*COTS hardware and suppliers

Phil

[Graham S]

Think of it as a bible that cuts to the chase, not a long winded text book but something that captures the essence of home CNC including the fundementals that form the back bone and the handy tidbits that form the, err, elbows!

Again, just put what you want or NEED in it

* What is stiffness, what makes things stiff
* Backlash
* Does accuracy always matter
* Work table types
* Vacuum chucks/tables

[duluthboat]

* Speeds and feeds
* Tool offset
* Cutter selection

A few more, Gary

[chuckknigh]

Why can't my 3-axis machine undercut, if it can reach any point in 3-space? That wasn't immediately obvious, to me, when I started. Leads in nicely to a discussion on 4th and 5th axes.

-- Chuck Knight

[ynneb]

I think that in any book written for any level you cant assume that the reader knows anything. A real thorough glossary of terms is a must.