Definitions
CAD – Computer Aided Design – Software that will allow you to create that awesome 3d widget in your head.
CAM – Computer Aided Manufacturing – Software the uses the CAD data to create tool paths used by a CNC machine to cut out your widget.
CNC – Computer Numeric Control
Draw Bar – Part of a mill used to pull the collet up into the spindle taper to secure the cutter in the machine.
G-Code – The language used by CNC machines to understand where and how to move. This is generated by your CAM software.
NC – Numeric Control – The precursor to CNC. A Computer + NC = CNC
SWaP – Size, Weight and Power
Swarf – fine chips or fillings produced by a machining process
TTS – Tormach Tooling System – A method for holding cutting tools that allows for quick tooling changes yet retains tool offsets. (It saves lots of time)
VMC – Vertical Machining Center – An industrial CNC Mill that is fully enclosed that makes a mini mill look like the toy that it is.
How to generate nc file from Inventor file ?
Thank you.
S.K. – Good question. I do not use Inventor however, it’s my understanding you need to use Inventor HSM or HSMWorks. I use Fusion360 which use a similar CAM package. The basic process is once the CAD file is generated, you generate tool paths in your CAM package. Next you post processes the tool paths which generates the gcode (.nc) file.
I’m confused. I’d like to download your guides, but it keeps asking me to subscribe before I can download. when I enter my email and name it errors saying I’ve already subscribed….but how do I get the documents downloaded? Your help would be appeciated as I’m very interested in your CNC project. Thank you, Steve.
Steve – Ah, that’s frustrating. I sent an email to you with a link to all of the downloads. Thanks, for letting me know.