What is CNC?
In manufacturing, CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, which refers to the automated control of machine tools using pre-programmed computer software. In simpler terms, it means that you will use a computer-controlled machine to carve something from some medium like wood, metal, or plastic. From your computer, you will (1) create or import a design, (2) convert the design into one or more toolpaths (they instruct the machine how to cut the design out of the medium), and (3) send the toolpath(s) to the controller (the software/hardware that moves the machine). The machine executes the required operations while you diligently watch and anxiously wait.
Your Motivation
My best guess is this: you like the idea of making pretty things out of wood, soft metals, and plastic. Perhaps you're thinking about signage. Perhaps you're thinking about making neat Christmas and birthday gifts for family and friends. You might want to travel the craft fair circuit, or start a business. All of these ideas appealed to me eleven years ago, and a CNC system opened those doors.
Your Expectation
If you're like many of us, you expect to have little or no trouble mastering the process of turning cellulose into gold via the CNC. Well, expect to be disappointed...
Your Reality
Murphy's Law informs us that what can go wrong, will go wrong. In this life, our expectations rarely meet our realities. In my case, I discovered that my plethora of computer skills still left me wanting. I was still a t-square and drafting pencil kind of guy. My command of business-software did not prepare me for the world of computer-aided design.
I did not expect the dust, the noise, the wasted wood, the broken bits, the bad design and poorly-conceived toolpath creation. Oh, the expense!
To add insult to injury, the clever ladies and gentlemen on YouTube fail to tell you how many failures they had before they shot their final video.
Your Payoff
But, my friends, the payoff is glorious! You started with nothing and you ended up with something that you can call your own. Whether it is small sign to impress your grandson, a beautiful plaque for a sports team, or a unique jewelry box for your ever-so-patient loved one, you have created something to be proud of.
Your Future: The View from 10,000 Feet
In the next few posts, I hope to give you a very high-level view of what you might have buy and skills you might have to learn if you're going to succeed in CNC as a hobbyist. The term hobbyist is an important one, as the commercial side of CNC is extremely complex and expensive. We are not going there.
If you've enjoyed this page, take some time and dance through my other pages. Here is what you can expect:
- CNC - The Software
- CNC - Vectors and Bitmaps
- CNC - The Hardware
- CNC - Consumables
- Yada, yada, yada...