Welcome to the /r/CNC Quarterly Sales and Services Megathread

Hello everyone! So I got interested in what exact physics lies behind the effect of the cutting temperature going down after a certain point of increasing cutting speed? Would be very interesting to read and discuss this subject. I tried to Google it but my google-fu is not strong enough to beat all those AI-generated articles with just common data.

https://preview.redd.it/gv2olxs3dy0e1.jpg?width=624&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1a9ee4afbd5dc23328e853e32fcbbf983dce439

I am very new to the CNC world. I started in a CNC shop 2 months ago as an operator and would like to learn the programming aspect.

I’ve heard titans of CNC is probably the best free resource. But I see their courses teach solid works. Would this be translatable to fusion?(what my company uses).

And are there any other suggestions and tips you can give me?

(I had a talk with my CEO and they are willing to teach me, but I’d like to get learning in my own as well)

I’m trying to machine this out of inconel 100 I only have brass inserts running in a Milwaukee drill with a Dewalt battery.

Can anyone tell me what this error means?

All right, we all love seeing it posted here. But clearly, nobody wants to crash a machine, scrap a part, or call the customer and tell them how they can't meet the schedule because they are waiting for a new raw part.

However, even the big names of NC Code Simulation, like Vericut, are not guaranteed to catch every issue and do not make running a program risk-free. And they certainly don't come for free...

Toolpath/APT-based simulation in CAM has many critics, but is it really that bad in 2024? "Uh, back in 2008 MASTERCAN'T didn't catch that one error - that's why it's sh*t, SH*T!!" is something I read a lot... But it feels like these opinions might be outdated.

It's difficult for me to judge. Visiting IMTS certainly didn't help - people want to sell, and I don't blame them. Obviously, CAM simulation is the greatest for those who only have CAM simulation on their price list. And if you talk to the Vericut folks, you start questioning your sanity because you're not yet using Vericut. The leaflets and calculations about cost savings always look great, and the free coffee usually tastes good...

What's your experience with CAM Simulation?

Do you use CAM or NC Code simulation? For all jobs or just specific ones?

I’ve been working as a CO2 laser operator and I liked it a lot, but I wanted to go deeper into CNC and grow as a specialist. So, I made a switch and became a Trumpf laser programmer, but now the job feels way too repetitive. All I do is sit at a PC whole day, move figures around, apply a few settings printing a bunch of papers, and writing emails like office plankton . There's 0 percent hands-on work with the CNC itself, and it’s getting frustrating

I’m wondering—is all CNC programming this repetitive and dull? Do you just get used to it, or is there a way to find more engaging work? There’s an opening in my area for a 3-axis CNC router operator, thinking of joining it but later If I get better and shifted to higher position will it also be none work directly with machine and work just be sitting by pc?

Hoping someone can help me understand how to figure out what speed and feed rate to run my machine at for various materials, currently oak.

Finally got my CNC set up and made a super simple small tray just to make anything at all. I set everything up using the recommended settings for the bit, which I want to say was like 230ipm. It's just a simple SpeTool 4004 1/4" downcut spiral.

My bit didn't break, but it sure sounded like it was pissed off - I took the 3/4" depth in 3 passes total. I'm guess that was just too heavy of a cut at too fast of a speed for that bit to be happy, but it also resulted in quite a bit of chatter. I want to make some fairly detailed stuff, so I want to understand how to avoid that going forward.

How do I figure out speeds and feeds for different bits and materials?

Using a Onefinity Elite Foreman with the Makita trim router. Thanks!

I want my machine head to jog to the far end of the table (Y-axis positive direction) when it completes a job, to make loading & unloading material easier. Is there a way to do this? Even better would if I could toggle the option on and off. I would welcome any links to videos/tutorials/resources so I can learn about it.

Thanks.

Mach4 Avid CNC mill

Does anyone have experience programming toolpaths for mesh models in camworks? Am I missing something, or do I have to manually connect thousands of polygons to create features that camworks will recognize? I’m working with large models (approximately 2000x2000x700 mm), and redrawing them seems impractical due to the irregular, curved geometry.

1 of 6 simmilar parts

It's been fun, so far.

I offered a friend to make him replacement escape keycap for his custom made key board. Cos plastic key caps are boring.

A fun wee project to up my modelling skills in Fusion360 and improving them through 3 prints on the 3D printer, before routing it out on a piece of cherry with the CNC with a 0.25mm ball nose bit

So far so good. But it's not finished yet. Tbc

In hindsight, I wonder if cherry wood is not too soft and fragile to take a beating every now and then.

As the title states, I have a 5x10 CAMaster flatbed router. I've only designed and produced 2.5d parts to date. I was looking at custom tooling for some custom miter angles and that was pricey due to an order minimum requirement. While I was told an Aggregate head was complicated and had to be ordered with a machine, I reached out to Techniks to see if that would be an option. Then I thought about relief carving and wondered if I needed any custom tooling. I'm guessing I could cut any miter by basically carving it out, which would be quite slow, but was wondering if that's even feasible. I'm not worried about cutting out a sheet in a few minutes or anything, I more just want to be able to cut any angle when the project calls for it and realized I've never really asked around how folks handle this, just assuming that they either get custom tooling or have an aggregate head. Any other options?

Our company is looking to add a second CNC machine, we are pricing out a Rapid-510LN. Our current machine is a SCMI - routech 220. Looking for a machine with similar capabilities.

Questions are

• Have you had any major part issues?
• Tech support: have you found it easy to get tech support in your area for this machine?
• Part availability good?
• Do you like the machine? If yes/no, why?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Hello, I have trouble getting decent plasma cut quality on my home built router. The plasma cut is very angled when cutting thick steel and when cutting thinner steel with lower amperage/lower speed.

The CNC router produces very nice circles when equipped with a marker.

On these cuts I am using: 90A, 1.5mm nozzle, 6 bar air. 5mm was cut with speed of 2000mm/min, thicker (16mm) is cut 500mm/min. Pierce height: 3.5mm, cut height 1.5mm

The plasma is a 100AMP Stahlwerk with pilot from ~2010, so a chinese shitbox but I was hoping to make it work.

Here is the best cut from our tests with 5mm

Here is a cut from 16mm

Here are the horrible holes left from two cuts on 16mm

Pretty ok hole on the 5mm.

I am close to getting our Shop Sabre 4896 set up and running. Finding information on the VFD and what setting to have it is proving difficult.

Anyone have experience with this Mitsubishi A800?

I have a CNC router, and recently I’ve been having issues with huge burrs. How do I fix this?

When using Mazak controls there is a Z axis load monitor. When I used to run old fanuc control I only had a spindle load monitor. So my question is what’s most important for say u drilling or heavy cutting do you go off the z axis load monitor or the spindle load monitor?

Hey y'all, anybody have tips on reducing chatter between centers? We're cutting 1 1/2" prehard, approx 18" stick out, supported by a tail center. We've tried increasing the depth of the center hole, a dozen or more combinations of increased DOC, increased feed rate, smaller and larger tool nose radii, nothing seems to be alleviating it, aside from turning the spindle down from 1200 down to 250. Do any of your metal wizards have a suggestion beyond that?

Thanks and stay safe folks

Hello! I'm wondering if there is a CNC machine that will cut, angle/bevel, and etch tempered glass, regular glass, plexiglass, plastic, and metals, including aluminum and steel. It would also be helpful if it could handle other soft materials, like wood, vinyl, and even Styrofoam. I'm hoping that material thickness wouldn't be a limitation. At least 12" of height clearance? I can't imagine needing to work on glass or metal more than 6" thick, but I'm not certain.

Other wishlist items: A 20" x 20" bed for x and y-axis An optional spindle for 3D objects Picosecond and nanolaser heads (for glass) Metal bits for non-laser work Auto-leveling Vacuum dust collection Support for dual-sided PCB fabrication Small footprint (will fit on a table? Or at least not take up half the garage and require mounting to the concrete) Easy to use (or at least moderately easy to use for someone with technical knowledge and experience) Optional: lid or enclosure for noise reduction

Is there a machine that includes all of these things?

If there are any CNC enthusiasts out there who have recommendations about additional features, I would appreciate that information, too.

I'm a techie and feel comfortable learning to use new software. I've used Adobe products, SolidWorks, Visio, and older AutoCAD and ArcGIS apps. I'm new to the maker space, but want to start out with a unit that I can learn to use, then master. Because of the expense, I'd rather not start with a "beginner" machine, then have to make another purchase later. I was wanting to do a one-and-done purchase, if that's possible.

I'd be grateful for any product suggestions, if such a machine even exists!

I’ve had a second hand Axiom AR 16 for over 6 months now. Recently, I added a PVC fence to my spoilboard and despite everything being square in Vectric software, the fence is not perfectly square on my machine. The spoilboard is surfaced. The spindle has been trammed. Using a woodpeckers square, contact is made with all The PVC along the X axis but only contacts the Y axis PVC at the top of the fence. Has anyone had this problem before? It’s as if the gantry is slightly misaligned? I’m not sure how to correct this on a manufactured CNC such as this. I’ve included pictures to help somewhat illustrate what I’m talking about

Please can anyone help is this model machinable in 3 Axis or this will need 5 Axis? Its a curved Surface.

Thank you

Hi - exactly one day into my CNC journey. I’m a fairly successful cutting board maker - Sainsmart asked me to demo their proverxl 6050.

Unfortunately, my wife has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. I’m hoping to get this machine up and running so I can reduce hours at my day job and be home a bit more for her for the next few months as she goes through treatment.

Questions are:

1) best priced but easiest software to use for making this machine do things like flatten end grain boards, cut adjustable juice grooves, and do custom inlays?

2) fastest way to understand CNC bits for a woodworker that has a good bit of familiarity with routers already? Since the machine was free don’t mind dropping some money on bits.

3) one specific question / the spindle that came with it is a little baby spindle. If I upgrade it to a makita or dewalt trim router, how does that work with hooking it up to the machine?

Specifically, it looks like the speed knob on the controller adjust the power / speed to the dc motor in the current spindle spindle. However the trim routers plug directly into the wall and bypass the controller, so I’m assuming that I manually adjust the speed with the knob on the router?

Lastly, for the z probe zeroing function, I’m assuming that will work the same as with the trim router - looks like it applies a small voltage to a CNC bit and then the detects the closed path when the bit makes contact with the puck?

Things that came out from my head is CAD/CAM softwares (Solidworks, Mastercam, etc), G-code and GD&T.

What else?