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A Tinkerer's Guide to CNC Basics

A Tinkerer's Guide to CNC Basics

By : Najia
4.7 (10)
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A Tinkerer's Guide to CNC Basics

A Tinkerer's Guide to CNC Basics

4.7 (10)
By: Najia

Overview of this book

Until recently, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines belonged to the realm of heavy industry, but as technology becomes cheaper and smaller, these machines now can be used in home workshops. It’s not easy to get started, though, but thanks to this guide, you’ll be ready to take on a variety of projects in no time. A Tinkerer’s Guide to CNC Basics contains everything you need to get set up at home with computer-controlled machining and fabrication. Sparing you the theory, this project-laden guide helps you learn by doing. Once you’ve got to grips with the principles of CNC and installed the 3018 Pro CNC machine, you’ll gradually move from simple projects such as basic engraving to more complex milling and machining techniques. You’ll even learn how to upgrade your machine to accomplish more sophisticated designs. The plethora of projects in this book will keep you busy and give you the practice you need to get started with your computerized workshop. By the end of the book, your computerized home workshop will be one step closer to realization, and your machining skills will be taken to the next level.
Table of Contents (15 chapters)
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11
Chapter 11: Building a More Capable CNC Machine

Build versus buy, materials, and designs

There are a lot of options available to you depending on how confident you are working with easily available materials. If I had to make design choices for any enclosure, I prefer to have the following:

  • Front-mounted doors, with a preference for doors that open up and away (i.e., with the hinges mounted on the top).
  • A clamshell-type design, which allows me to have complete access to all sides of the machine with the enclosure open. This is one of the designs I have listed previously.
  • Plenty of openings for wires and hoses. If it is an integral enclosure, I either need enough real estate on the top or side to mount any controllers or long-enough cabling for the controller to mount to the door or an inset at the front. This is what I ended up doing for my laser. The controllers are all on the outside, as is any hardware to job the machine (e.g., an LCD controller).

A cursory look online yields a variety of available units...

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