This assignment is about understanding Computer Controlled Machining. In Computer Controlled Machining, there are group and individual assignments. In this assignment, the task is to create something substantial (something big) using a wood router machine. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the machine's specifications and its operation. In the group assignment, our primary focus is to conduct trial and error experiments to familiarize ourselves with the machine. Safety is paramount during these experiments as there is a risk of tool breakage and potential injury. Hence, safety precautions are of utmost importance.All observations and learnings are documented below in this assignment

Why This Assignment:

To Create, fabricate, and construct something substantial on the scale of meters.
Specifications:
Don't use screws, nails, or glue.
Make job by using curved lines and shapes..

My Super shots for this week

Computer Controlled Machining

Computer-controlled machining is an automated manufacturing process that utilizes embedded computer software to precisely control and manipulate machine tools.Computer-controlled machines come in various types, each designed for specific purposes and industries.

1. CNC Machines (Computer Numerical Control):

CNC stands for Computerised Numerical Control. It's a system that uses electronic digital computers to control machines like routers, grinders, laser cutters, and more. Instead of manually operating these machines, CNC automates the process. However, a user still needs to oversee and manage the CNC machine.

A computer translates designs from Computer Aided Design (CAD) software into numerical instructions. These instructions, often coordinates on a graph, guide the movement of the cutting tool. This allows for precise cutting, shaping, and designing of materials like wood, aluminum, plastic, steel, and foam.

CNC Milling Machines:

Used for cutting and drilling operations on solid materials like metal, wood, or plastic.

CNC Lathes:

Utilized for shaping cylindrical parts by rotating the material while a cutting tool moves along it.

CNC Routers:

Primarily used for cutting, carving, and engraving materials such as wood, plastic, and metal.

CNC Plasma Cutters:

Employed for cutting through electrically conductive materials using a plasma torch.

2. 3D Printers:

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Printers:

Create objects by depositing layers of molten material, usually plastic.

Stereolithography (SLA) Printers:

Use UV lasers to solidify liquid resin layer by layer to form intricate 3D shapes.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Printers:

Employ lasers to fuse powdered materials (plastic, metal, ceramic) into solid objects.

3. Automated Assembly Machines:

Used in manufacturing to automate the assembly process of products such as electronics, automobiles, and consumer goods.

4. Robotics:

Industrial Robots:

Automated machines programmed to perform tasks like welding, painting, assembly, and material handling in manufacturing environments.

Collaborative Robots (Cobots):

Designed to work alongside humans safely, often used in tasks requiring dexterity and flexibility.

5. Computer-Controlled Cutting Machines:

Laser Cutters:

Utilize a high-powered laser beam to cut through materials like metal, plastic, wood, fabric, and glass with precision.

Waterjet Cutters:

Use a high-pressure jet of water mixed with an abrasive substance to cut through various materials.

6. Computer-Controlled Embroidery Machines:

Used in the textile industry for automated embroidery and stitching designs onto fabric or garments.

7.Computer-Controlled Routing Machines:

Used for cutting, shaping, and engraving materials such as wood, plastic, and foam.

8. Computer-Controlled Sewing Machines:

Employed in garment manufacturing and textile industries for automated sewing operations.

This assignment is on CNC Router

CNC Router

A CNC router is a kind of computer-controlled device designed for milling, drilling and cutting materials. CNC routers are similar to milling machines,nearly identical functions. Their primary purposes include cut, engrave and carve objects from a raw material, effectively substituting for traditional handheld routers.By integrating computer guidance into the operation, the likelihood of mistakes is significantly minimized.

CNC routers are like fancy robotic tools used for cutting and shaping materials like wood or metal. They come in different sizes and shapes, with some having just one direction they can move in, while others can move in multiple directions. They can also change their tools to do different jobs.The cool part about these machines is that they're controlled by computers. So, we can give them a design on the computer, and they'll follow it exactly. This design is called a CAD file. Then, special software takes that CAD file and turns it into a set of instructions called as tool path that the machine understands. These tool path tell the machine how to move its tools to make the design actually. we can either make these tool path ourself for simple jobs or let the software do it automatically for more complex tasks.

Routing is a common method used in woodworking, sign making, molding, and other industries. It's great for making precise cuts repeatedly. CNC routers, which are computer-controlled machines, can work with various materials like wood, metal, stone, plastics, and more. Some have dust collection systems to manage waste.Using computer-controlled routers reduces production time and errors by creating consistent objects, as long as external factors are controlled. CNC routers may need technical assistance as tools wear down, but their efficiency and speed make them cost-effective for businesses and hobbyists.Modern CNC routers come in different sizes, including desktop versions that fit on tables. Improved software, like CAD/CAM programs, makes it easier for hobbyists to operate these machines. Specialized programs can create models and generate design codes, making CNC routers useful for amateurs, furniture makers, and designers without advanced skills in carving or woodworking.

We have forest CNC machine in our fablab.We used flat end mill with diameter 6 mm.My Group Assignment link Click Here

Individual Assignment

step 1: First we design object in solidwork.

step 2: We have vCarve software for machine forest CNC.In this software we have to generate the toolpath.Open Vcarve software and select create new file for tool path generation.after selecting create new file you will see interface like in picture.and then set your dimensions here like Job size, Job type, Z zero position, XY detum position, Modelling resolution and material setting here and click Ok button.

Step3: Then you have to load your dxf file here.after checking our drawing like is there any double line or dots we have to erase it and then go to toolpath.if you want you can draw rectangle from here also.

Step 4: In toolpath go to the profile tool path and check for the cutting depth, tool,Machine Vectors,Ramp Plunge Moves,and given the name for our job. In tool select tool its parameter in Tool.Here in Cutting Depth,
Start depth = 0 bacause we start from surface
Cut Depth = 12 According to our sheet thockness.

step 5: After selecting the tool there is Machine vector which we have to select then name it and calculate.Machine vector are:
1. Outside (for external dimensions)
2. Inside (for inside dimensions,for ex,slot)
3. On

Step 6: Then you will get massage regarding vector for continue tool path click yes.

Step 7: Save the toolpath.

Step 8: Start the machine software Router Control and move the head back to the machine's home position. Then, select RESET HOME. After setting the home position, position the head over the area of the cutting sheet and set it to zero on the sheet surface. Finally, establish the origin by clicking on 'set all zero

Step 9: Then set click one by one. do the process setup for 3 axis to zero and load the ".cnc" file here in which we generated tool path.Check the graph and then start cycle.Our cutting is in progress.. so we have cut part successfully.

My this week output...make table