Can anyone recomend the best books for learning CNC milling?

[suesi34e]

Hi IanS1
Thanks for your msg.
Perhaps I was trying to do things a bit back to front I see what your saying
Tar very much
Suesi

[JAZZCNC]

Ok well first I'll say forget Lazy cam it's hard work, outdated and unsupported.

With auto cad your half way there which is good and if you can use it all the better.

Next get some Cam software sorted ASAP. BobCad cam is Ok-ish and I do have it thou don't use it much these days but it will help you as I know it very well and it's a quirky program to use so having some one show the quirks will help.

To be honest half the battle with any Cam software is adjusting to how the actual software works rather than learning how individual cutting stratergies etc work.!


Like Ian says forget learning G-code at the minute. In practise you'll only want to learn G-code so you can monitor what's happening in Control as the G-code is ticking away or maybe the odd MDI (manual data input) command for setting up etc. Very rare do you write G-code for actually cutting anything these days.

[suesi34e]

Hi Jazz,

Thank you for that. I see you have bobcad is it v24? Is there a better software for me to go with without spending silly money? I can draw in AutoCAD 2D OK not so go good on the 3D side of things, I just don't get time to play with it enough. If you cant think of anything better than bobcad I will go for that and see what we can do. I really appreciate your offer to help me, it should dig me out of a very deep hole!

Many thanks

Suesi

[IanS1]

To get started why not look at one of the free packages, FreeMill is limited but OK to have a play with.

http://mecsoft.com/freemill/

As with any software, you will need to put some time in, it's the only way to learn I'm afraid.

[suesi34e]

Hi IanS1,

Many thanks for your msg and the link the software looks great for free. I am tempted to try that or bite the bullet and buy BobCAD. I guess Bobcad would be harder to learn as I imagine there is much more to it but I also think there would be more help with it. A tricky one!

Thanks very much for your help

Suesi

[Boyan Silyavski]

One of the best places to start is to arm yourself with patience and read some manuals. In that order. When you are finished you will know much more about everything.
So RTFM!

You could go, download demos, click help and read the manuals. it doesnt matter that you will or not use the specific product. These have well written manuals that will help you much.

- Mach3
- Aspire
- CSMIO
- MachStdMill

[EddyCurrent]

I find it best these days to only learn what I need, and that means only when you get stuck on how to do something you NEED to do.

[suesi34e]

Hi EddyCurrent,

I see why you think only learn when you get stuck it makes a lot of sense. The only downside is I have so much to learn!

Many thanks

Suesi

[JAZZCNC]

I see why you think only learn when you get stuck it makes a lot of sense. The only downside is I have so much to learn!

No no no learning to use or build a machine is like eating a Elephant.? . . . Can't be done in one sitting and best done in small bites.!

There is a simple process and sequence to running a CNC machine and learning is best done in the same sequence.

Starting with CAD so get this learnt to a proficient standard first which you say you have done.

Next comes CAM. This can be easy or hard depending on the software. Some software requires more input from the user for selecting Geometry etc which you use to define toolpaths.
Better software will give more choices and options in cutting stratergies along with easier or more advanced Geometry selection techniques. Ie Auto hole selection etc. Nice but not required.!
In general it's learning the quirks of each software for simple things like selecting geometry that takes the time rather than figurng out the cutting stratergies and all there options.

Lastly comes Mach3. Often Mach3 daunts people but it really shouldn't because in practise and in basic usage form there's very little to using it after the machine as been setup. Which really has nothing to do with using the software for cutting and is kind of separate thing.

There's basicly 3 stages to setting up and using Mach3.
#1 Setup and define the machine so it moves the correct distance and controls any I/O (Inputs & outputs).
#2 Second Define tool numbers and height offsets or fixture jig offsets. (if using any)

#3 The main one.!! Load G-code file. . . . Place material, insert correct tool, define WORK zero coordinate press Cycle start.!

In real world use there really is nothing to using Mach3 and it shouldn't daunt anyone. Obviously there are few other options and buttons on the Mach screen you'll want to learn and use but again nothing scary or rocket science.

When you have your working procedure setup and working for you then it get's easier stiil. For instance you'll keep a tool table of your cutters in CAM that matches the Tool table in Mach3.
So when you select say 10mm tool in Cam which you defined and gave a TOOL NUMBER then saved in your tool table. That same TOOL NUMBER is used in Mach3 so when the G-code file produced for your part and calls for T1 Mach knows the height offset and tool diameter for this tool and automaticly applies the height offset and any cutter compensation if called for.
You do nothing other than make sure you put the correct tool in the spindle. CAM and Mach3 work with each other.

Obously this only applies to those with Mills or machine which use tool holders which can define set consistant heights of tools that never change.

For the rest of use who use individual tools not using holders then we don't bother with Fixed Tool offsets in Mach3 and set Z axis Zero each time we change tools.
But in all this the process of actually cutting parts in Mach3 is quite simple really and shouldn't scare anyone.

Learn step by step and you'll be ok.

[Clive S]

posted in the wrong post ..Clive