CNC Programming is one of the most effective ways that people are using today in order to cut metal and do other processes in manufacturing. CNC programming is also used as a hobby, to make foam objects, produce woodworking or create metals. With the help of a CNC, we can easily produce or manufacture parts in a short time.

Using computer for certain types of operations is what CNC is - to be more exact, a computer numerical control. This is a process that can be applied to lathe, router, foam cutters and laser machines; it can also be applied to mini versions of these types of machines.

The continuous path positioning and the point to point positioning are the two categories every CNC program will fall into. Usually a computer can execute both types of programming depending on the sophistication of the software program being used. And what this actually means is that it is needed that both processes are understood by the programmer so he can successfully run the machine.

And now I will present you with the explantaion of the categories stated above:

We use point to point positioning category in computer numerical control if we need to tapp, drill, bore or punch. This is a process used to position from one point to another when the machine process is being done. In other words, it works from the X to the Y position or to as many positions as it is instructed and keeps going until the process is finished.

To use contouring, we need continuous path positioning which is present in case we work with a lathe or a milling machine at the moment. And contouring is just another name for this category. Since the cutting tool will move constantly through all points, without stopping, the piece will be completed in one move. This means that the operator has to be able to program the machine so that it continues on several axes at a time and simultaneously.

Any individual will be more successful at its work if it understands both processes.

Many people like to build their own CNC Router because they like having something that functions that they have built by their own hands. There are a lot of options when it comes to building things yourself so really you just have to decide if you want to or not.

Some people like to bypass some of the making of the CNC Router and they do this by purchasing a kit. Kits are a good idea to get a start on what you want to do because they show you, step by step, how your machine will work. If you are a visual person who needs something to look at while you build, this will be a perfect way for you to start your do-it-yourself project.

Plans vary however so make sure that the plan you use has the information you need. As an example, some plans give you a brief idea of what you will be doing to create the plan. Others will give you full blueprints that will show you step by step what to do and what it should look like at every step of the way.

Some people prefer to just wing it and try their hand at the building of their own CNC Router. If you are this type of person, having a plan to look at as a guide can be the perfect way to make sure your design is workable. Either way you will have a finished product.

The greatest reason to build your own CNC Router is that you can get the parts for a fraction of what you would pay in the store.

Things to Think About when Making a CNC Router
When you first think about making your own CNC Router the first thing you will need to do is decide on a design. There are basically two types of designs that you will have to choose from. Either you want one with a stationary gantry and a mobile bed, or you want one with a mobile gantry and a stationary bed. There are advantages to both types.

The stationary bed is what you will see ninety percent of the time as usually only smaller machines use the mobile bed. You will also need to decide on how large you want the cutting area to be which will be determined by the size of the material you will want to cut. As you run through the project there are some things that may change as you start looking for specific parts.

Another item to take into consideration is how big a machine you want. If your space is limited, you will have to consider how far you want your router to travel. This may mean that it just goes the length of the space. In any case you won’t want to have wasted space in the area where you are going to use your CNC Router .

One of your last and final steps is to determine what the tolerance is that you want from your machine. This will speak to the accuracy and the precision of the machine. Once you understand what you want, it’s time to look at the steps to building it which will be talked about in a different article.

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CNC Intro
Questions, Questions and a few more Questions
What is a CNC Machine? 
What do the letters “C-N-C” stand for? 
How can it help me? 
Why would I want to learn it?
Where do I begin?
Do I need special software?  If so, which one?
Do I need a machine?  If so, how much?

We will get to these questions shortly and cover each of them.  What has probably led you here today are questions?  You have problems you want to solve and you think CNC can help?  Guess what, that is exactly how I began the CNC journey as well!

So, where am I at today?
Today I have a few machines that I work with.  Each have their own nuances, software, capabilities and functions.  The point of it is that they are all CNC.  They all follow the same basic process.That process is gold if you know it.  You can move from machine to machine and know what is going on.  That is what I want to teach you.

CNC Machines I own today:
CNC Plasma Cutter Machine – My 1st CNC machine.  A good first project if you want to build a CNC machine.  Born out of necessity.  She is a little rough around the edges, but a solid friend.
Vinyl Cutter – This is a unique type of CNC Machine.  This machine uses a small knife to cut out vinyl in any shape or size.  Think “sticker machine.”  You know the stickers on the back of every jacked up truck you have ever seen.  You know, “P_ss on Chevy, Ford, Dodge, etc.A vinyl cutter is actually a “sticker-making machine.”  I actually bought it to cut sandblast resist, which is a whole different story.
CNC Mill Machine – My 3rd CNC machine.  This one I purchased.  It is actually a CNC Bridgeport Clone if you want to get technical.  It is funny how addictive this hobby is.  I bought this machine to make the parts for a CNC Wood Router.  “Wait, you bought one CNC Machine to build another CNC Machine?”  The answer is…. YES!  I love this hobby.
CNC Wood Router – My fourth machine.  My father likes woodworking and I like steel working.This is kind of a transition machine for me.  I have found woodworking with CNC to be really cool.  It has gotten me into 3D milling on the cheap.  Think of the cost of 3D milling a brick of aluminum or a block of wood into a shape.  That’s right.  No Brainer.  Wood is free in comparison. 

CNC Hobby Growth Story
CNC as a DIY Hobby has really seen a growth spurt over the last ten years.  I think I stepped into it about two years after it started cooking in the late 90s.  When I jumped in there were a few CNC Groups going already and about three different CNC Plasma Tables available at the hobby level.  I don’t know where the other machine types were at the time because I came in through the plasma path.  I would guess they were further behind as CNC Plasma Cutters was one of the first areas of CNC to take off in the Hobby arena.
Most of the quick growth I would say is because of the Internet.  Groups formed, ideas were shared.  Feedback was given.  People started making “chips” and didn’t look back.The Internet brought technology into garages across the country.  When I built my $4000 CNC Plasma Table a hobbyist class machine was around $10,000 and a commercial machine was $100,000 to as high as you wanted to go.

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