[allesg]

Hi,

I'm another newbee. I've been lurking here for a few days and decided this was a great place to learn and share. I'm retired from a computer careeer at DEC and as a PC contracting consultant.

Way back in the 60's I did some plotting. About 15 years ago I really got interested in CNC when I was fortunate enough to have to update the network software running
on a bunch of PCs connected to very large extremely expensive multiaxis CNC mills and also some very large CNC laser routers and a few other gizmos including a
very early 3D parts prototyping machine.

Over the years I taught myself Generic CAD and parts of a few other cheap CAD programs.

I've wanted to get into CNC for a long time but proprietary GCode and expense kept me away. Now that Mach3 is well established and G-Code seems to be generic at least for the hobbiest CNC environment, I'm finally jumping in. I'll use it for small corian and aluminum parts for my projects and a few other ideas I have.

I'm going to get myself officially certified in AutoCAD and in CAM stating with over the internet classes after the holidays. Having my own CNC mill should make a difference.

I'm quite enamored with the beautiful work that widgitmaster has done and I'm about to buy one of his midis. I'll need help with getting that correctly
set up pretty please. I'm planning to use TurboCAD 14 PRO/CAM to do most of my parts designs. I also have a little experience with Google Sketchup and
since it has a CAM plugin, I have hope for using that as well. So far though, the free version of sketchup seems to have some issues with generating planes accurately. Snapping to an endpoint doesn't seem to work right or I need to set a parameter somewhere. I've done about 4 different house designs on my own and went thru about
40 tutorial movies but even rectaangles don't always generate a plane for me....

I'd love to hear from anyone using TurboCAD 14 PRO/CAM or Sketchup - especially with its CAM plugin. I'd also REALLY appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with one of widgitmasters beautiful mills.

Thanks for listening,

Gary

[Greg Maxwell]

I was trained in AutoCAD , I use Turbocad daily for my hobby.
I used Turbocad/cam but 2D ½ was limiting.
My profession is programming / supervisor in the steel industry.
I own a sherline mill and lathe controlled with mach3. Updated with A2Z components.
I use Mastercam for the programming.
My hobby is making working scale models. My dream is to get good at it.

[csirac2]

I'm from Australia, my background is Microelectronic Engineering. Recently quit my job of 2.5 years in oil & gas exploration services as a systems engineer, and am contemplating building a special large format imaging device which could make me money in a year or two, whilst I find a suitable day-job that doesn't consume my whole life!

This forum has been a real treasure trove: ball screws, roller screws, epoxy granite, shame I can't find out more regarding laser interferometres.. maybe I'll post a question in a suitable forum posing the feasibility of using one in the servo feedback loop (in lieu of rotary encoders), my concern is that I can't find many datasheets and those that I can don't state measurement lag times...

Who reads this thread anyway? :-)

[pike88]

Originally Posted by pike88
Pleather,
been running my vortech router everyday trouble free for a little over a year and half now. I didnt know anything about cnc when we bought it but it was pretty easy to get up and going. The guys Vortech are great to work with. We're making money with it everyday. We are getting ready to order a second one.. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

BTW I think you'll find people here very helpful.

Pleather and Pike, I just ordered a vortech router. I went with the Vortech shortcut 203 http://www.vortechcnc.com/cnc-routers.html I'm glad to hear Pike 88 has been running so long and is buying another one. There were alot of routers to choose from and it helps me feel like I mad a good purchase going with Vortech.

I'll update and add anything I can.

Buzzy,
I am awaiting the delivery of my second Vortech router now. The short cut 203 looks like a cool little router. I needed something larger.. We are running ours straight out, two shifts a day so adding another will help.

Definately keep me upto date on how it goes with the 203 and let me know if you have any questions.

[Metal Maniac]

Hi everyone,

My name is Nick . I've been registered and lurking here for a over a year and half. Never posted. I've found this forum far beyond helpful.

-I started with CADKEY in high school.

-Got a layout job for a steel rule die maker, mostly for corrugated products. Was there for 9 1/2 yrs. I responded to ad for CAD person needed and wound up mostly laying out dies by hand. CAD work was all 2D and light. The industry switched to cutting with lasers and waterjets years ago. Place went bust Feb '07. Dumb job with one perk; endless scrap wood and jig saw tables.

-I worked at a granite shop attempting to run a Haas Gr-510. Sent me for milling training. This was not a project for noob at machining. Too much maintenance, too many issues, and too many screw-ups to name. Wrong machine or wrong person for the job. Learned a lot about [crashing] machines:withstupi and learned far more than that job required. Major exercise in futility and macro programming. Left there with a spinning head (a brain a@ 7,500 RPM to be more precise).

-I continued with machining at a production shop. Mostly operating there. Little by little I am learning some setup on Haas mills, Mazak multiplexes, and Mori Seiki turning centers. I should be trying to get a set-up position there when things pick up. Still there.:tired:

-I got suckered in for some work at the granite shop with their waterjet recently. May have benefits;:devious: personal projects.

-CADs- AutoCAD, ArtiosCAD, BobCAD/CAM, CadKey

-Operated- Haas VF Mills & a GR, a Makino vert. mill, a couple of Fanuc mills, Mazak turning multiplexes, a Mori Seiki turning center, and a Mitsubishi Waterjet. (Operating for me means all that is needed to keep a job running good parts without much help from others, I work 3rd shift.)

I see the art in machining and look forward to making art from machining. Most of what I produced at the granite shop were signs. I've been itching to make a guitar out of stone and wishing I could grab some spindle time at my main job to make a few guitar parts. I love to use machines to make anything; from parts to music, mills to PCs. Just don't leave me alone with your new cnc or new PC. I have never met a machine I can't crash somehow.

Thanks to all that posted things that were useful to me. I'd list them but it is a long list. I look forward to contributing when I have time.:cheers:

[Short Norwejian]

Howdy All!
I found this group through R.C. Groups, have been machining manually since'82, and have 8 years of CNC behind me now, as the majority usage. presently, it is 100%.
I signed up in October, but was too busy to slow down until now, now that hours are a normal night shift, (which I love) I should be able to gooder from you co- pals!
I have recently (last couple months) gotten over my fears of Thyroplast, and am presently dealing with Berylium Copper. problems which I (we) have been having is:
Tool change orientations for a Mitsubishi 106, and the rubber Z guards for the 106, 156 and 128. I am working at the mold shop which did the X Box, Xbox 360 and other very popular well known names. my interests would be in the Mold making and balsa wood hobby type routers.
I am learning Turbo Cad Mac version 4, and have finally taken my first bite on a true solid model, compared to drawing lots of airplanes-2D/3D skins
Thank you for the reminders, Staff, as this group definately has a LOT of answers!
Johnny

[Lock-Os]

Hey guys, I'm Lock -Os. I'm a student studying Mechanical Engineering over at Penn State. I sadly don't have any skills yet with any kind of machine tools but I'm looking for a way to get into the hobby without too much time / resources since I'm a student and both space and time are tight.

Anyways, I'm happy to have found this place, and I hope to share some projects with you all.

[trmpyro]

Hello all, My name is Mike and I am from Topeka Kansas. I am a licensed pyrotech looking to build a CNC to help with different aspects of shooting Display Fireworks. I have been reading posts for some time now and designing my first machine using Autocad; I will post my design soon and start asking for input. I am a structural engineer by degree and am currently employed as a process engineer so the CAD side of things is well in hand. I have learned a lot and have a lot more to learn from this forum. Between CNCZone any PyroUniverse most of my days are consumed gathering information to further my hobbies in hope of someday making some money as well. Thanks for a great resource.

[beege]

Hello all, My name is Mike and I am from Topeka Kansas. I am a licensed pyrotech looking to build a CNC to help with different aspects of shooting Display Fireworks. I have been reading posts for some time now and designing my first machine using Autocad; I will post my design soon and start asking for input. I am a structural engineer by degree and am currently employed as a process engineer so the CAD side of things is well in hand. I have learned a lot and have a lot more to learn from this forum. Between CNCZone any PyroUniverse most of my days are consumed gathering information to further my hobbies in hope of someday making some money as well. Thanks for a great resource.

Hi Mike,

I worked with a machinist/pyro for almost 20 years. Great perfectionist he is, and what fireworks! You may have heard of him. Rebenklau.

[Muchaka]

My name is brett and I live in sunny SoCal. I have been in mechanical/design engineering for the past 8 years in a biotech industry. I'm wanted to learn more and get a hands on knowledge of cnc mfg. I've taken some manual machine classes in college. Very Knowledgable in Inventor, Autocad, Solidworks you get the idea. I'm looking to purchase a small cnc machine and am here doing research so I can get the best one for the $$$.:rainfro:

[SynergyTodd]

Holy crap! After looking around in here for a moment, I feel like I am so far out of my league I want to run and hide. (shrugs)
Having said that...My name is Todd.
In general, I am a mechanical tinkerer...a machine tweaker...if you will.
I like buildin stuff.(in big dumb voice)
My goal in coming here was to figure out how to make an inexpensive(relatively)
home made CNC machine for the purpose of making surfboards.(yup,,,I'm one of those guys)
...and I have NO IDEA where to start.
I do not have a mechanical engineering degree. I do not have machining experience...hell...I never even took "metal shop"
What I DO have is an intense desire to learn and(with all humility)a fairly sharp mind.
ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Point me in a direction...and I'll go...

[jeep534]

Holy crap! After looking around in here for a moment, I feel like I am so far out of my league I want to run and hide. (shrugs)
Having said that...My name is Todd.
In general, I am a mechanical tinkerer...a machine tweaker...if you will.
I like buildin stuff.(in big dumb voice)
My goal in coming here was to figure out how to make an inexpensive(relatively)
home made CNC machine for the purpose of making surfboards.(yup,,,I'm one of those guys)
...and I have NO IDEA where to start.
I do not have a mechanical engineering degree. I do not have machining experience...hell...I never even took "metal shop"
What I DO have is an intense desire to learn and(with all humility)a fairly sharp mind.
ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Point me in a direction...and I'll go...

Todd.
take a look at this site http://www.mechmate.com/ and look through the forums there. I have decided to build one of those and fit it with a plasma. just a thought and welcome to the community.
archie =) =) =)

[lvittori]

Name here is Lucian. After the Air Force I went to the local community college in Omaha and got a 2 year degree in Electronics with a few courses from the EET program at the University of Nebraska. I started out 28 years ago as a Field Customer Engineer repairing electro-mechanical equipment. Afer 4 1/2 years I became an Area Service Manager and then moved to the home office 11 years ago where I've worked in various IT related positions; currently as a Programmer/Analyst. Never losing my love of machines I grabbed a case of new stepper motors that were being scraped at work and stuck them on a shelf in the garage. Then I found the PMinMo site a couple of years ago and built some stepper drivers and a BOB using his boards. Then lo and behold I found this site and bought some Solsylva plans. I built a dual lead screw table that worked to a point but not as well as I wanted so for the last year I've been slowly(very slowly) building the belt drive table. Also have an X2 that I started to CNC but once I made an Optical Alignment device (web cam in a mount) I haven't pushed that project too hard since I can now put tool pretty darn close to where it is supposed to be. If there is anyone else in the St Paul area with an interest in DIY CNC machines I'd love to trade notes.

[SynergyTodd]

Thanks for the reply
I'm still just trying to figure out how to use this thing.
Nice link by the way.

Mahalo

Todd.
take a look at this site http://www.mechmate.com/ and look through the forums there. I have decided to build one of those and fit it with a plasma. just a thought and welcome to the community.
archie =) =) =)

[Short Norwejian]

watch out fellas, My bank just found that the source of a 400 dollar rip off came from fishers on this sight. now i just gotta figure out how to cancell all this stuff.

[Ken Dolph]

I know next to nothing a about CNC's. But my customers use them and I will soon be looking for one. So I thought that I would see what I could glean from you guys.

I am president of Art Specialties International, Inc. For 15 years we have been the official distributor for Corian for non traditional uses. It has amazed me all of the things my customers use Corian for. From the skid plates on Formula 1 race cars to fine art. We sell quite a bit for industrial wear surfacing and small parts.

In a former life I was in field service for a major mainframe computer company for over 15 years. So I am not without mechanical knowledge.

If any one wants to know about Corian don't hesitate to contact me.

Thanks
Ken
http://www.coriartspecialties.com

[CNC Bill]

I just signed up and would like to say Hi. I have been looking to build or buy a small cnc mill for sometime and liked your forum. Thank You

[AerotekStaffing]

Hi all! I am looking for a CNC machinist in the Birmingham, AL area. Contrary to the mass lay offs, it has been difficult to find someone. Please contact me if you are interested or know someone, that knows someone, that knows someone. Thanks!!

[goupinya]

Hello everyone, my name is George and I am from Topeka, Kansas. It looks like I have stumbled upon a goldmine of information and knowledge here. I started working in a shop just over two years ago polishing parts. I quickly moved up to an engine lathe, then a centerless grinder which is what I ran until just a month or so ago. We had a real shift in business and grinding ground to a halt. I was moved to a cnc, which I was clueless at running. Its a Hyuandai 18s. I also have the distinct pleasure of running a Warner and Swassey 2AB. I say distinct because only a couple of people there know anything about that machine, and no one seems real interested in learning, other than me. I am here looking for any and all information I can find on either machine. I'm getting comfortable as far as knowing when a insert is bad, or more importantly, is about to go bad. I don't have too much trouble adjusting tool offsets to maintain as little as .0005" tolerance. Other than that I really know nothing. I j want to learn all that I can, to make my job easier, and I do find it interesting and rewarding. I am sure you will be hearing from me again, but not before I read everything I can find that looks even remotely related.

[gravure]

Hello,
I'd like to tell everyone of my new venture, Maestro Engraving LLC. We specialise in laser engraving cylinders or anything that is round. Personal background is laser engraving rubber, ceramics etc for the printing and embossing industries. The laser and control system technology has moved forward enough to directly engrave into most engineering metals with rasterised greyscale TIF files as the primary software, generated from programs such as Photoshop, Artcam etc. Depths upto 1/16" is economically viable. Repeating high-resolution (upto 5000dpi) artwork is seamlessly joined into the end product using proprietary control hardware/software. Being new to engraving into metals, I look forward to chatting with some of you in this specialised CNC forum.
Cheers
www.maestroengraving.com