Archive for December 4th, 2008

CNC Overview Intro

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

cnc machines

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

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

So, where am I at with CNC today?
Today I have multiple CNC 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 follow the same basic overall process.  That process is pure gold if you know it.You can move from cnc machine to cnc 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.  So a vinyl cutter is actually a “Redneck sticker-making machine.”  I actually bought it to cut sandblast resist, which is a whole different story.
CNC Milling Machine – My 3rd CNC machine.  This one I purchased.It is a CNC Bridgeport Clone if you want to get exact.  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 dad likes wood working and I like metal 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 hobby has really seen a huge growth spurt over the last 8 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 growth I would attribute to the Internet.  Groups formed, ideas were shared.  Feedback was given.People started making “machining chips” and didn’t look back over their shoulders.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.

CNC Information Free Community Site:
If you would like to know more about CNC, head on over to http://www.cncinformation.com
You can join for Free and you get two free CNC ebooks. One is a GCode Quick Guide and the other is the CNC Info Site eBook. You also get access to the Free Video Series…Image to CNC Art when you join the community.

CNC Control

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

CNC Control Software

CNC Control Definition
Here is my definition of CNC Control Software and how I like to think about it.  Controlling is using a computer to direct a machines’ functions and motion.  The control phase of CNC is closely associated with the Machining phase.  Why?  You are using a computer to “control” the machining process.  However, there are a few different pieces to controlling.  Here we go again.  Let’s break it down and simplify it a bit.

CNC Control Software
Control Software is one of the critical things you will need for CNC.  The control software is what interprets the G-Code line by line and sends off commands to your machine controller.

Probably the standard in the hobby market is Mach.  There are different versions: Mach1, Mach2 and Mach3.  Mach is created by a company called Artsoft and has an excellent reputation in the marketplace.  The software is easy to use and very powerful.  The company also provides great service and is always working on the next generation of product.
I have used a couple other control software packages as well like CNC Pro, TurboCNC and Master.  They seem a bit outdated compared to Mach, but serve their purpose and work well.

List of CNC Control Software
Mach 3
TurboCNC
KCAM4
CNC Pro

Control Software Prices:
CNC Controller prices vary all over the map.  There are some that are free and some that are Thousands of dollars.  If you are a hobbiest, expect to pay somewhere between free and $200.  If you are running production equipment, expect to pay thousands of dollars.  CNC Control software is essential, you need to make the monitary commitment.

Free CNC Community Site:
Want to know more about CNC, go over to http://www.cncinformation.com
You can join for Free and you get two free CNC ebooks. One is a GCode Quick Guide and the other is the CNC Info Site eBook. You get access to the Video Series…Image to CNC, when you join.

Wd External Hard Drive Data Recovery

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

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CNC Router Information

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

CNC

CNC Router General Overview

Many people say that a CNC Router is the best tool they have in their shop. This machine is very versatile and what it will do is cut down the time it takes to prepare the tast and cut the tast.

CNC Routers are machines that work in different directions. They can work in these directions simultaneously to develop patterns and shapes that the operator would take a long time to do by hand. The CNC Router moves along an axis to cut front to back, left to right or up and down.

One of the things that you will have to know as an operator of this machine is basic CAD software because this is what it uses to create the work. It is flexible enough that you can create the program you want at your own PC or through using the computer on the machine.

What you do with the CAD Software is to create files that you can put into the computer to show the Router the exact moves you want it to make. This allows you do pretty much whatever you want with it.

How A CNC Routing Works
The CNC Router is very easy to run once you have the software in place. All you have to do is take the material you are using and place it on the table where you have the machine. You hold it in place and then allow the router to do the work, following the specifications you put into the computer.

You don’t have to worry about getting dust in your lungs because there is a dust hood on the machine that collects any debris or dust that comes off the material so that the air is free of any materials that may be harmful to the individual.

There are certain motors that are around to help keep the system on its axes and make sure the cuts are made in all directions. The drive system is important to the machine because the better is it the higher the quality you will have in your routing. The CNC router bits are actually controlled by a spindle and these come in several different shapes and sizes like you would find if you were using a power tool with drill bits.

It is important to note that whenever you are operating any machine you have to think about safety first and this is true of using a CNC Router . Although the machine comes with guards that can stop your hands from getting hurt while feeding materials, you should also use common sense when operating the machine. There is a system of stop buttons on various parts of the machine as well. However, you should make sure just as an added protection to wear gloves and sound blocking materials to avoid accidents.

The CNC Router is economical too because once you program it you don’t have to watch over it. Instead, you can go do other work or take a break while it does the work for you. It also opens up the chance to do projects that used to require a team of people to do.

CNC Information is a new community website all about CNC and DIY CNC. Stop by CNC Information and just for signing up you can get a free book that is all about the basics of CNC! Come by CNC Informatoin Today for your free Ebook on CNC Basics.

Portable Bluetooth Keyboard: A Dream Come True

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

The manufacturers of computer equipment have seldom succeeded at producing portable keyboards.  The new portable bluetooth keyboard choices that have recently come onto the market seem to finally fulfill the promise of hi-tech future we all watched as kids in movies and cartoons.Every body's needs and wants are unique and hence your choice of best bluetooth keyboard is your personal choice.

 

How do you want your portable bluetooth keyboard to look?

 

 I know people who will not buy certain computer equipment because it’s the wrong color, and doesn’t match the rest of their computer system.  Some people want all the computer equipment to look the same, and some don’t care how it looks, as long as it works.Before starting your search you need to be sure which one you are.  You will be stuck with your choice for a while.

 

What keyboard configuration do you need on your portable bluetooth keyboard?

 

 The choices now available allow you to choose between the mini keyboard and the QWERTY keyboard.The comfort offered by the mini keyboard configuration compels one to stick to it while few cannot wait to have a regular (QWERTY) keyboard again.  Which bluetooth keyboard is the best bluetooth keyboard for you will depend on your ease with the keyboard configuration.Make sure that the keyboard you choose suits you the most or you may not like to use it after some time.

 

Do I require a physical portable bluetooth keyboard or do I want a virtual portable bluetooth keyboard?

 

 This question may seem a bit strange if you haven’t been watching the tech new lately, but you now have a choice of a virtual keyboard.  How the virtual portable bluetooth keyboard works is that a device, a small one, projects a virtual protable bluetooth keyboard onto any flat surface.The flexibility in the virtual keyboard is the ease of typing.  The hi-tech lovers cannot miss this one.You can actually move your keybord only when you are required to type.It would give you the flexibility of locating it, if you have very limited space available.

 

What Is Bluetooth?

 

A portable bluetooth keyboard incorporates the bluetooth communication protocol for computer component connection and works along a standardized set of guidelines.The standardisation on how the bluetooth hardware should work has brought real value to bluetooth.  If its bluetooth compatible it will work.  That is the genius and convenience that is bluetooth.

Registry Cleaner Reviews – Find the Best Registry Cleaners

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

If you already confused by the many registry cleaner reviews websites, I might just be able to help you! In this article, I will outline different types of review site and show you how to use them to find your own consistent result and best registry cleaner.

Some guidelines to follow:

Rule #1 – Does not believe what they tell you. You should always prepare to test your result, if you have limited time, just select 5 to 10 of the recommended products and do some simple test on your machine.

Rule #2 – Reference the review sites and set your own guidelines. You can easily set your own testing guidelines with reference to what already being used.

Rule #3 – prepared your testing environment. I urge you to use Microsoft Virtual PC as an evaluation tool to help you in your testing process. Replaced the tested registry cleaner with the backup operating system, ensure each registry cleaner has the same testing ground.

Some suggested guidelines:

Guideline #1 – How many errors detected, the more the better because the more errors found, the windows registry size can reduce to smaller and faster!

Guideline #2 – How fast the software finished scanning will determine how optimize the software is.

Guideline #3 – How safe to repair, any auto-backup provided?

Guideline #4 – Any advanced tools or extra features to accelerate the computer speed?

Guideline #5 – Provide protection to known ActiveX dlls from spyware and unknown thread!

Guideline #6 – How effective is the deep scan? will it be able to capture indepth registry problems?

Guideline #7 – How effective in restoring computer speed after repairing your registry? Do you really feel the speed?

With 3 rules and 7 guidelines, you don’t have to rely on other registry cleaner reviews sites to tell you which is the best registry cleaner, because you tested it, and you know what is scam and what is not!