Desktop CNC

What is CNC Machining? 

CNC (computer numerical control) machining is a process where programmed computer software directs the motions of a tool.  The application can be used to automate a range of manufacturing techniques such as milling, water jet cutting, 3D printing and laser cutting materials. Instructions are fed into the CNC machine through a CAD (Computer Aided Design) file and transposed into a precise set of sequential instructions called G-code. The CNC router uses subtractive manufacturing, the process of removing material from a workpiece until the desired shape is configured. 

CNC machining allows us to create accurate, fast, high quality parts out Wood, ETB (Epoxy Tooling Board), thin Aluminium, Acrylic, and Carbon Fiber. 

3-Axis Machining 

The reference to axes is used to describe CNC machines which operate along multiple axis points. These machines use at least a 3 axes and operate along an XYZ plane: X axis (side - side), Y axis (front - back), and a Z axis (up - down).  3-Axis machining has two main functions: relief carving and vector cutting

Relief carving (also known as "3D carving"), uses a heightmap based on a grayscale to turn an image into a 3D relief. To make these images, the CNC moves the mill in a raster movement: left-to-right. As it moves, it adjusts the height of the mill to cut to a certain depth. This can produce very intricate artwork, carved from a solid piece of material.

With vector cutting, the mill cuts along a line that is defined by a vector image. Vector images are images that are composed of lines and points; they can be easily scaled up and down, as the image itself is expressed in mathematical algorithms. After a vector cut, you will have a 2D piece that has been cut out, using the outline. 

4-Axis Machining 

4-Axis machining uses all the axes that a 3-Axis does (X,Y,Z axes), but has an additional rotary movement around the Y axis, which is named the B axis. This method is beneficial when carving intricate 3D figures. The addition of a fourth axis (B axis) allows a workpiece to be automatically rotated, so the machine can remove material from all sides.