Hello,
For the past 3 years, I have had my small parts subcontracted out. I use these materials : 6061, 7075, 4140, 304. Popular alloys that most mills can tackle.
So now I am asking myself this question... should I take the plunge for my own machine ?
This first admission may disqualify me, right off the bat. I have never ran a CNC before. On the other hand, I am technical and believe I could do it. I have built my own computers for the past 12 years and I design my own parts, so this shouldn't be too hard, right
Anyhow, I have researched the subject pretty well but am left with more questions than I started with.
I use Solidworks 2009 currently. I have all of my parts in solid models. It just appears that there are no industry standards. Or, I should say "easy" standards. I am really trying to figure out why I cannot jump from solid models to finished parts ??? This is the 21st century... Why G code and all the complications ?
I think that we are at a point, technology wise, that one could place a block of aluminum into a CNC and click "mill". If we have the CAD software, shouldn't it output data good enough to mill with ? Or am I completely off base here ?
I don't really have the time to take coarses just for CNC. I am pushing the limit, as is, just to design and get products to market. If there is a simple [haha], plug-n-play type CNC out there... then I am all ears. Otherwise, I may be stuck with expensive subcontracting.
I would like to get all my operations under one roof.... overall quality would improve. Also, room and power are non-issues. I have plenty for a vertical or horizontal machine.
Any help... or polite criticism is welcomed.
Thanks.