Intro to Wood CNC with Alexis

CNC routers are a powerful tool in any modern maker’s arsenal. They can be used to cut, carve and shape many materials including wood, plastics, foam, cardboard, non-ferrous metals and many more. They are quite often able to produce parts more accurately and efficiently than traditional manual processes freeing up makers to design, assemble and create more. This course is specific to the Techno Titan CNC at MakerspaceCT, but many of the principles covered apply to CNC routing on any machine.

This course is taught in three parts:

• Safety Certification: Titan Introduction to CNC setup, operations, and safety
• VCarve Pro software: design and toolpathing
• Running a job on the CNC:  bit selection & feeds and speeds

Class can be taken as a whole or for the section you need training in.

Schedule for the day:

12pm-2pm - Safety Certification on the TITAN CNC machine

• We will go over CNC safety, how to change bits, clean collets, bit depth setting, zeroing, using the ATC (automatic tool changer), vacuum bed / other hold down methods & how to use handheld pendant. The Pendant is similar to those used on all CNC machines so what you learn can be transferred to your machine. 

2pm-4pm - Computer instruction on VCarve Pro

• All students will be using provided PCs with VCarve Pro loaded on it as the instructor demonstrates in real time how to design in VCarve Pro
• We will discuss machine settings, where to set datum/zero points, and an overview of VCarve Pro's tools
• We will then learn how to make basic shapes, how to align & arrange them and make arrays.
• Next will be learning the toolpath functions & their uses 
• Focus will be each student designing a simple sign using 2 tools, one V-carve bit for the lettering & one spiral bit for cutting out the sign
• There will be a lot of discussion about feeds & speeds and tool options / correct choices per desired operation, along with some suggestions for order of operations when milling.

4pm-7pm - Running a job on the CNC

• We will go back to the CNC machine & each student will be shown how to save their toolpaths to a file that each will run on the CNC to make their own sign out of plywood (welcome to bring your own FLAT wood)
• Each student will get comfortable on how to secure their work to workbed & zeroing each tool & material. Load file into pendant & run their program to make a sign. 

All students are encouraged to stay the entire time as there will be many questions asked along the way. CNCs are big, powerful & intimidating and the best way to get comfortable using them is by understanding your files & first hand experience.  

Please Note: Additional training or membership-level access may be required to use the Titan. If you are not currently a member, you must purchase a membership to use the machine. Day passes are not available. You also must attend the Wood Shop Safety Certification to work in the shop.

(1 Sessions; Max. Class Size: 6)