Square 1 Electronics announces its new book by David Benson, "Easy CNC", A Beginner's Guide to CNC" The complete table of contents follows: This book was written by David Benson (8-1/2 x 11", 200 pages, $34.95). EASY CNC Table of Contents INTRODUCTION For experimenter (hobbyist) or student Overview of topics covered in book Examples are 3-axis but... DIY, retrofitted, or factory-built machines USING A COMPUTER The basics Copy or cut and paste Software use instructions Summary CNC CONCEPTS Toolpath G-code Axes, origin, and coordinates Toolpath vs. cutter Which direction relative to what? Conventional vs. climb milling Methodology SOFTWARE
Overview CNC software Bit map draw programs Vector draw programs CAD programs Converters CAM G-code interpreters CNC MACHINE OPERATION Generic CNC machine and G-code interpreter On-screen user interface Jogging Rapid Height Tool library Running G-code files E-Stop and Limit Switches G-CODE G-code commands and concepts Rapid travel at maximum feed rate = jog Current feed rate Modal commands Interpolation Absolute coordinates Driving the tip of the tool Creating G-code using a text editor Firing up a G-code interpreter to execute a G-code file G-code examples Setting up for experiments Rapid travel at maximum feed rate = jog Linear interpolation Straight Right angle Diagonal Circular interpolation Circle, larger circle in XY plane Arc in XY plane Add Z axis Arc Circle Arc using "r" value
Toolpath Cut and paste Programming style Instruction placement Comments More complex moves Upper/Lower case Use of tabs Line numbers G-code generated by CAM programs Complete command set SCANNING AN IMAGE Creating a bit map file CREATING DRAWINGS Basic concepts Pencil Sketch Draw programs Vector vs bit map CorelDraw Essentials CAD programs AutoSketch File formats Machining and woodworking Art Sign making Printed circuit boards USING A BIT MAP DRAW PROGRAM CorelDRAW Essentials Tools Rectangle tool Delete - procedure Outline tool Fill tool Freehand tool Shape tool Text tool Zoom tool Moving the scales - procedure Kidney example Adots example
USING A BIT MAP IMAGE CONVERTER PROGRAM - BIT MAP TO G-CODE Image file to G-code for engraving Image manipulation How images are converted by DeskCNC Kidney - engrave using outline image Engraving - using DeskCNC G-code interpreter Kidney - engrave using filled image Kidney - contour using filled image Contouring - using DeskCNC G-code interpreter Kidney - pocket using filled image Pocketing - using DeskCNC G-code interpreter Adots examples Adots - engrave Adots - pocket the objects Adots - pocket around the objects Adots - carve USING A CAD PROGRAM CAD concepts AutoSketch Getting started with AutoSketch Drawing size Origin Precision Grid settings Toolbar locations All-In-One toolbar simplified Snap modes toolbar simplified Snap modes Draw a straight line How to delete an entity Edit>Undo Line width Zoom tool Moving the scales - procedure Draw a rectangle Draw a circle Draw an arc Trim options Edge Round (or fillet)
Bevel (or chamfer) Trimming by defining a channel (object trim) Offset and parallel entities Angles - polar coordinates snap Drawing off the grid Picking off coordinates using the Inquire tool Explode function DXF file format Examples Link Picking off link example coordinates Rotor Pulley Routing curves Vertex - based editing Summary USING A CAM PROGRAM - DXF TO G-CODE DXF partial part drawing file to toolpaths and G-code using DeskCNC DeskCNC CAM features, definitions and use rules Definitions Rules and guidelines Direction Effect of direction on pocketing a single closed region Compensation for contouring operations Conventional vs. climb milling Tool size and X Y step over selections for pocketing operations Pocketing out to in vs. in to out Select>Select Single Two different directions - same part Combining chunks of code - append Rules demonstration examples Open region such as a straight line or an arc One closed region such as a circle Two closed regions, one inside the other Three closed regions inside a fourth closed region Four closed regions - floating Three regions "concentric" Practical Examples Straight line
Milling Plasma cutting Arc Circle Contour - follow line, cut outside, cut inside Pocket Rough only, integral number of passes Rough plus finishing pass Square - contour outside Single pass Rough plus finish pass Circle within a square - follow the lines Circle within a square - contour inside the circle and outside the square Two directions Circle within a square - pocket between As is Add finishing pass to pocket operation Add contour pass around square to remove corner projections Drill four holes Link - contour Contour Z-step roughing vs. side of end mill roughing. Rotor - pocket Pulley - cutouts APPENDIX A - DeskCNC DeskCNC modes DeskCNC view controls Art mode Machine, Edit, and DXF modes DeskCNC - viewing DXF file information on-screen View - show directions View - information tags DeskCNC Tool Library DeskCNC make a part procedure DeskCNC view and edit G-code APPENDIX B - OTHER BOOKS FROM SQUARE 1 ELECTRONICS Easy Step'n Future CNC Books
PIC? Microcontroller Books APPENDIX C - SOURCES Sources