New to cnc. Zero knowledge of this and need education

[metalbutcher]

I Have always wanted to learn about cnc. I have absolutly zero experience in cnc. This is however not the case as far as my other technical abbilities.

I need some help getting pointed in the right direction to begin learning how to put together a cnc machine. I would like to build a cnc router to start as this seems like a good point to start. I am not so much interested in information on building of the router table as this is pretty straight forward stuff. What I need most of all is education on the cnc hardware and software.

I was thinking it would be nice to be able to build a small desktop model using old printer parts or something to educate myself on this. I would like to go as far as to build my own electronics for this project. I know I can just buy store bought parts and slap them all together but i really want to understand it in more detail than that.

Does anyone have any ideas or know of a good web site to help me get started?

[LaserImage]

Originally Posted by metalbutcher Does anyone have any ideas or know of a good web site to help me get started?

You are at the best place you could be to get the info you want. I spent about 4 months browsing around here before I started building my machine. All of the answers are here if you look for them.

Gary

[Crevice Reamer]

Hi metalbutcher. Welcome to the Zone!

Maybe you could start with this:

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread...709#post572709

CR.

[dixter20]

Originally Posted by metalbutcher I Have always wanted to learn about cnc. I have absolutly zero experience in cnc. This is however not the case as far as my other technical abbilities. I need some help getting pointed in the right direction to begin learning how to put together a cnc machine. I would like to build a cnc router to start as this seems like a good point to start. I am not so much interested in information on building of the router table as this is pretty straight forward stuff. What I need most of all is education on the cnc hardware and software. I was thinking it would be nice to be able to build a small desktop model using old printer parts or something to educate myself on this. I would like to go as far as to build my own electronics for this project. I know I can just buy store bought parts and slap them all together but i really want to understand it in more detail than that. Does anyone have any ideas or know of a good web site to help me get started?

At one time, I was a completely fascinated w/ CNC, but also completely lost too.

Since then, I've developed an educational "video game" on CNC basics. It presents the user with an interactive 3D interface for exploring content on CNC and Tooling. The content is supported with graphics, pics, movies, 2D animations, and 3D animations.

It's all intro material I've compiled from my University courses, personal experience operating and programming CNC machines, and various online and published resources.

It's available for free download at: http://learncnc.org/

[tommylight]

You mentioned printers, but much easier would be to use 2 old scanners one for X and one for Z axis, they have everything already, the rails, the screw, the stepper etc, so you would need to figure out just how to control them.

Tom.

[ViperTX]

You can some basic stuff from http://www.cncinformation.com

The guy has a short course (e-course) if you sign up.

Paul

[pminmo]

You might fond some helpfull items on my website: http://pminmo.com