SooperNoob needs advice

[in2steam]

Originally Posted by layr Hello to everyone! As i am also a supernoob, i didn't make another thread. I have searched this forum and WWW, but haven't found a good CNC machine basics (its parts, what are they used for etc). Right now the big picture is sort of clearing up, but still it is a bit confusing to read the forum/plans as i'm not familiar with the terminology (and again, the basics of CNC) Maybe someone could throw a good link or something, that would be great Laur

Well welcome Laur,

I think the first question I would have for you is what are your intentions, from there we can direct you to destination easier. Ie are you intending upon building one, buying one, or learning to run one, etc etc.

As for terminology a good primer would be to buy any book which deals with machine tools, ie lathes, mills, saws, grinders, etc. You will find that if you are considering the use of any one of the above you will at the very least need to understand how the others operate and there basic parts. Most CNC machines are designed exactly the same as there manual counterparts, well at least anything you will be dealing with in the short term. So once you have the basic idea of how a manual machine is put together and its parts you are well on your way to CNC terminolgy, after that you can start to learn about G-code which is the computer interface most often used today(although not always). You esp you are planning on cutting metal may want to take some classes if possible, I cannot say for sure in your country, but in the states we have Tech schools which will teach such things as MTO(machine tool operation) tool and die, MRO(maintenance repair operations)-which I am, and cnc programers.

So what are you planning or would like to do, and out of what, how big, how much do you have to spend, and how easy is it for you to get it.....

chris

[layr]

Hi and thanks for the warm welcome!
I'm interested mainly in 3-axis wood routers (i am thinking about 100cmx50cm, i.e. ca 40inch x 20inch cutting area). As far as i have viewed the plans, i have found jrgo's plans to be best for my intentions (since it is quite easy to work with MDF not having an existing CNC machine).
You asked me whether i want to cut metal or wood, but isn't the wood and metal routers basically the same, except the router motor, as metal needs lower rpm than wood. Correct me if i'm wrong, which i probably am :P

Laur

[in2steam]

Well wood routers and cnc machining centers are similiar in construction, and again depending upon what type of metal you are intending upon cutting, they may work. Wood routers from my estimation are less accurate, not nearly as rigid, and typically larger in work space lateral size. Wood routing is normally only accurate to around 1/8 inch, or 1mm but thats not always true. Machine centers tend to be smaller, more rigid, and have a higher lift over the work space then can be accurate down to around .0005 of an inch some far more. I have seen pictures of wood routers which use simple gear and rack construction for power transmission to ball screws which are quick and precise, wereas almost all machine centers use either ball screws(actually they are recuriculating ball screws) or lead screws which are similiar to a normal screw like a bolt. Wood routers only spin fast(starting around 10k rpm), wereas machine centers spin through the full spectrum, typically starting around 100 RPM up to about 5000 RPM(smaller machines are around 2500 rpm), because of the varying metals and operations you need alot more torque out of machine center. Aluminum and wood have the same cutting speed so you could in theory cut it on a router, but you would need to use different bits. You could not cut a piece of steel on a wood router, that well would be bad to say the least. Routers typically don't use much in the way of hold downs, maybe some corner clamps or a vacuum table, wereas on a machine center you either bolt it down or but it in a vise very tightly.

I am only a shade tree woodworker I would like to make a cnc router some day and I have enough parts to do so, I just don't have the room. I primarly work with machines and metal work.
There is a dedicated wood router forum on this site and they seem to be active so once you get into asking specfic questions they should be able to help. Otherwise keep reading, and use goggle for terms you may not understand.

chris

[thkoutsidthebox]

Originally Posted by layr Hello to everyone! As i am also a supernoob......Maybe someone could throw a good link or something, that would be great Laur

I GUARANTEE I was a bigger supernoob than you only 11 months ago when I found cnczone. If you want a good link, you've found it! I'd wager money that you won't find a better site with so many experienced people with so much willingness to share their hard earned experience and knowledge.

I stumbled across the zone April 2006 while looking for equipment and a carreer change. Ok, so the carreer change hasn't happened, but my equipment collection is growing faster than I can find space, and I'm just finishing a design for my second cnc router after not even knowing the different axis on one a year ago.

Look around the forums, and post questions galore. The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked. I've learned about machining, manual and cnc, foundry work, refurbishing brass, wood finishing, job pricing, web site design and vendors, the list is endless.

Welcome to your one stop shop for friendly, helpful, and sometimes painfully truthful advice.