CNC

What is a CNC PLC?  

In this image we have a programmable logic controller, it's an Arduino.

A USB controller board with an Atmega Integrated Circuit (IC).

The Arduino is an open source project, all the gerber files can be found with "Eagle" software.

Arduino is used in many projects, infact you can find literature and free sorce code all over the web for free, and people make CNC machines using it.

If you buy the "AVR" Integrated Circuit you may want to look into a USBtinyISP Atmel Prorgammer, these are used to flash the IC with a Bootloader, so Firmware can be added later in the form of C++ using the Arduino IDE and computer USB port.

Gripper 1/8" plywood

What is this CNC stuff?  

"CNC" stands for "Computer Numeric Control" and is usually attributed to any device controlled by a computer.

The image is of a home-built 3-axis CNC engraver, this one uses a rotory tool like a "Dremel" as the spindle, as you can see in the image there is a large wood gear, it's 1/8" (3.17mm) plywood. The machine can make the same gear in Aluminum or even some mild steel.

Not only will the machine in the image cut material but it can layer it too, making it a 3D-Printer. A plugin and some firmware with Arduino will get the machine printing with "Mach-3", find details here.

For more details just click on the image or continue reading.

A little history on the "CNC": The CNC's been used in fabrication of everyday items since the early 1970's, before that date it was called "NC", short for "Numerical Control", although in the 70's the CNC machines where developed and mainly used for production in the aviation industry.

Below you will find categories associated with computer numerical control. If you have any questions relating to a topic or just have a comment or two please feel free to use the feed back forms or send an email any time.

Find some products used to build or repair CNC machines; request cnc programming services or consultation, that's what we're here for.

We may not have them... but you can still inquire, you're next in line.

Please note: When we have more ready they might not be the same color as in the image.

These are printed parts for a 3D Printer.

You can use these parts and a few other items to print more parts; you're just missing some hardware, (Vitamins in the world of 3D printing), and some electronics (The brains).

The Hardware needed can be found locally if you're in a city, or can be collected from old paper printers or other junk device.

Electronics can be found online and in most cases can be found locally; the only other part you may need to buy online is the PCB.

The parts we have for sale where printed using "Generation-6" electronics, "Sprinter" Firmware, "Pronterface" (machine software), and "Slic3r" (G-code Generator/ slicing program).

Some people just use the Atmega-2560 along with some $15 dollar stepper chips found on Ebay called the "Eazy Driver" for electronics, and many other alternatives exist.

Email to request your set today, parts start at $80 and may require 1-3 days to produce, depending on demand and machine ("Huxley" or "Mendel").

For custom print jobs and conceptual work please email for a free quote.

What is a CNC Driver Board?  

A driver board is used to connect a motor to a breakout board, the breakout board interfaces with the outside world, the driver board connects to the breakout board to control stepper motors.

Encoders can also be used to determine motor shaft location. The TB6560 is a common IC for people building a mill.

What is a CNC Breakout board?  

A "Breakout Board" interfaces your computer with the outside world; it allows you to connect your computer to external devices like a set of lights, a switch, or a drill press.

You can make your own or purchase breakout boards.

Do you have or are you planning to procure the "Red TB6560 Breakout and Driver board" in the image.

If you have this PCB from "E-Bay", "Amazon", or some other place you'll probably need some software for it and we can help.

We have the configuration file and it's only $1.88, once we receive payment you will be emailed the software along with instructions on how to use it.

For a limited time only, we're giving away some working "G-code" to help you get started or test the configuration file you just purchased. The code is of a "Gripper" found on "Thingiverse" and Good for "EMC" or "Mach-3" machine software, the code has been setup to account for a 1/16" offset, we will send you 1/8" if requested... 

What is a cnc 3D Printer?

Some 3D printers melt plastic to form a part by extracting the melted plastic in fine layers, these machines are construced by do it yourselfers everywhere. a 3D printer will run using just one micro controller, a common micro controller is the Arduino, this link "Control a 3D printer with a single Arduino" open source micro controller shows some pin-out, "I/O" information.

Commercial 3D printers can cost over 50,000 USD, but some people using plans and parts found on whatisacnc.com and on other websites build 3D printers using common parts for under 1,000 USD.

The gripper.

For many years robotic arms have been used to place/ remove/ paint/ or assemble value added components to make the things we use everyday. 

In many cases these arms in industry do the very difficult, dangerous, or repetitive tasks you and I would rather not do ourselves or simply couldn't do on our own.

Click on the image to read about the software and see what sort of things can be made using a CNC mill. "G-Code" example included for a simple part of the Gripper

Buy the Sketch (Firmware) today and see how it makes things move based on your commands. This Firmware will make programming seem a little more clear.

7-Axis Robot Gripper using Hobby Servos.

DIY CNC Lathe  

The image to the right is of an "Unimat-3" with a 24V 3A power supply and the "Blue TB6560 driver board" assembly noted above.

The link will take you to a home built lathe and all the details of the built to date.

To learn more about lathes and computer controlled lathes just brows the website, visit the forum or ask the administrator.

What is a CNC Stepper motor?  

The most common motor used in CNC machines is the stepper motor, there are three kinds of stepper motor, but most today are hybrid. Contained here you will find lots of data on the motor, including history, benefits of each kind, the math behind operation, and how to control them.

CAM:

Computer-Aided-Manufacturing is a very important part of the CNC process.

The CAM software generates G-code and M-code ( in some cases also depends on machine make) from a computer drawing.

CAM software allows an operator or CNC programmer (You) to setup a tool path.

You decide where and how the machine cuts material, including setting up offsets, tool changes if your machine has the ability, and many other things with ease thanks to a useful GUI (Graphical User Interface).

Click on the image to view a list of all the known CAM programs available, a lot of the products provide a free trial.

What is a CNC Power supply?

Wattage:

Wattage also known as (P) or (Power) is the overall power used, it includes Voltage and Amperage, it is important when selecting a power-supply because if you don't have the correct Wattage, but your Voltage and Amperage are correct, "brown-outs" will occur because only some of that Voltage and some of the Amperage are being supplied, you determine Wattage using this simple equation: V x A = P (Voltage X Amperage = Wattage).

What is a CNC phase converter?  

A phase converter is used in machines powered by a dc motor, stepper motor info is available below, the phase converter provides smooth power to the motor, it protects electronics and provides a smooth sine wave.

What is a CNC Milling Machine? 

A Milling Machine:
Basic machines will generally have three verticle plains of movment. Each plain is concidered an Axis. Some machines are Computer Numerically Controlled using electronics and stepper motors. Some people use a Dremel tool, Router, Marker, Blade, Plastic Extruder, Insert, or electric motor as a spindle, the objective is to guide a cutting bit threw the material rather than force the cutting bit threw the material.

If you're just starting it's a challenge to find good information to test with, sometimes you just need that reference point or a simple "Axiom".

To help we're offering a free G-Code file for Mach-3. The total size is less than 100mm in either direction and good for the "Red-Tb6560" working with "Mach3". It can also be resized in "LazyCam" for free and it'll work.

Email your request for a free sample today and have it tomorrow.

What is a CNC limit switch? 

There are many different kinds of limit switches.

• Mechanical:
• Wireless:
• Opto:

When tripped a limit switch stops the movment of the CNC machine with the help of the software. 

The software listens/ monitors to the "I/O" that the end-stop/ limit-switch connects to.

Limits provide feed-back to the software, they are used to "home" the CNC-machine or protect the CNC from crashing.

What is an encoder

An encoder is a device used to measure the location of a shaft, it is used in a closed loop system and is based on an initial reference point. They are used in very precise applications.

What is Backlash?

Backlash is the movement found in lead screws, nuts when they are loose on a bolt or ready/ rod. Sometimes it is almost not noticeable to the naked eye or by feel but it can influence the item your cutting. Backlash does not compound over distance.

What is a CNC Open loop and closed loop system? 

A closed loop system, and an open loop system, what the difference is and what you should use.
a closed loop system uses a feedback system to operate, usually a dc setup. Open loop is usually a stepper motor setup; no feedback is provided to the computer.