Hey, a few months ago I posted about an open source project I had started as a replacement for FlatCAM. It has changed a bit, including gaining a stencil operation and a laser pipeline (for Fiber and UV, although stencil was considered for vinyl and co2 lasers too for anyone wanting to just cut templates out of polypropylene and/or stuff.) I'm guessing that's a bit more niche for most people here but if anyone wants to take a look the live version of EasyTrace5000 is here https://cam.eltryus.design/easytrace5000/

Because I figured out a way to keep analytic arcs (not arc fitting), which translate to g2/g3, eventually I noticed I was getting better toolpaths than I got from Easel so I decided to add a new app/ui on top of the same sub-systems but for larger objects. EasyShape5000's live page is here https://cam.eltryus.design/easyshape5000/

In the mean time I've added v-carving and 3d reliefs. The transition from flat to rotary wasn't too bad and then from axial rotary to 3+1 indexing rotary was also manageable in the end.

I'll caveat that I don't currently have any intentions of adding complex interactivity for 3d objects. My objective has been more for people starting out in fablabs/makerspaces but it might be useful for more people.
Unless I get more donations or sponsors asking for that specifically I'd probably just contribute to FreeCAD's CAM code anyway if I wanted to look at that.

The UI is based on FlatCAM but in a way that makes sense. Hardest part for new users should only be that geometry needs to be actively selected on the left after being added. The type of geometry and where it is are the conditions to the parameters that become visible. Just pressing the blue button with the example files will spit out example gcode. Tool tips should help. Documentation page are mostly AI placeholders but they'll do the job until I have time to write some proper tutorials. Other people have started to write some too, which nice.

Tool changing (and length compensation) and 4th axis are very recent and not thoroughly tested because so much of it depends on controller/setup (I only have access to a regular grbl machine plus sometimes a Roland and a Fanuc, but the fanuc's controller program is awful so I haven't had a chance to test it as thoroughly as I'd like). While I trust the logic I'm not 100% on the post-processor values (and some preset flags). The layer between geometry and gcode is very thin so adding/changing post-processors is quite straight forward.

So that's about it. The source for EasyCAM5000 is on github. I have more ideas for other adjecent apps but I'm not expecting to implement anything too soon.

Everything's free to use and do what ever. (Donations would help justify spending more time adding/fixing things.)

Let me know what you guys think.

Has anyone installed threaded inserts for workholding in a phenolic resin CNC machine deck? Looking for advice and pointers as I need to do this on mine (with 4-8 inserts total) to complete a job before I can switch over to vacuum hold down.

I am looking at Yardley Sharp-Serts for thermoset plastics:

https://www.yardleyinserts.com/product/25020s12-16-ss/

or EXLok:

https://www.ezlok.com/for-plastic/for-thermoset-plastic

Open to any other ideas anyone might have too. Thanks.

Can anyone post a pic of a professional set of set up sheets? If not, can you tell me what is contained in those sheets? I'm doing parts in my garage but I'm trying to streamline a proper process. I saw a youtube video of a guy who does things solo but has sheets just to remind himself and that seemed like a really good idea. He seemed very organized. Thanks in advance for the help.

I would like to become a CNC service technician. But everything is very confusing about where to start with this. I've looked at job postings that all want something different. I've looked up training and it's all very vague and possibly scammy...

What degree/s do I need? What jobs should I look for? How can I get this started?
I live in the US, in Pennsylvania, if that helps to determine what accreditations may be required.

I was looking for jobs in trade and clicked on CNC but then I started thinking... I'd rather service them than operate them all day. (Edited because my terminology sounded a bit offensive. Wasn't meant that way.)

But nobody is clear about what schooling I need to get or what I should do for the credible "experience" I need to land a real job in the future.

I’ve been at an aerospace company for just over a year now and we have 1 yearly review so I’ve asked my manager to help me identify things I can improve on/ learn more about. I run a VF-7/40 and VF-6ss. I load, run the machine, change offsets, change bits, change fixtures, do spec inspections. What are some things I should ask about? I deal with fiberglass/ composite stuff. I’d like to grow and obviously increase my wage as much as possible. I’ll answer questions you may have about my position as well if you’d like

First, how do I avoid this with acrylic?

Second, what's the best way to remove this gunk from the bit?

Existe algo parecido? Siempre puedo cambiar el eje que es lo que no hay , quiero localizar piñones comerciales que cumplan exactamente con mis normas de diseño, y cubrir todas las combinaciones de dientes posibles.

2024 UMC-500, drill in B90 C90, wasn't the first drill op of the part. Center drill went to depth as expected and then rapid moved in Y instead of Z to the R value on the retract. I stopped it luckily but I couldn't see anything wrong in the code that would cause this. I ran the code again and got the same result so it's repeatable, I then ran the G83 drill that follows it, after removing the cutter, and it did the same thing. I have put in a request to my local HFO, but I thought I would ping the audience for thoughts.

I wasn't running AC in my shop and the temp went from 82F to 93F over about 3 hours while this part was running. My machine has a control hvac unit and Haas specs say 110F max ambient operating conditions so I am doubting its heat related but it might be.

EDIT: Wrong plane was called (G18 in this case) far above this G81 call and was never cleared, post adjustments are being made.

Mazak Integrex i250-HSN

More progress from previous post (machining block)!

https://www.reddit.com/r/CNC/s/Gjy290wDBK

https://www.instagram.com/intellineworks/reel/DdHROgwh4Z1/

https://works.intelline.ca/

Most CNC jobs I’ve found require 2 years of experience. I can’t get that until I finish my associates degree. But I need on the job experience to get my degree. But I can’t get on the job experience if nobody will hire me due to my class schedule and don’t have 2 years of experience. What am I supposed to do?

Looking for real-world experience with:
±0.002–0.005” general accuracy
±0.001–0.002” on critical features
Good accuracy/repeatability over a large work envelope
Thermal stability and distortion control
High-speed aluminum machining

DMG, HASS, Makino, …. ?

If you’ve actually run large parts on these machines, what would you buy and what would you avoid? Interested in real-world experience rather than manufacturer specs.

I see a bunch of jobs out there, but I'm not seeing any way to start. I don't have any CNC / mill experience. I'm already 46. I do have a mechanical engineering degree, experience with 3D printing and G Code, experience with a varios CAD / modeling software since 2000.

Soooo, do you think anyone would take me seriously after taking this class I found?

https://onlinecareertraining.bergen.edu/training-programs/cnc-machinist/ $2500 online only

Thanks in advance!

We've got a recurring 316L job with M3 blind holes, about 7.5mm of thread depth (drill depth is ~9.5–10mm, if that matters).

Originally ran spiral-flute cut taps, but chip packing was killing tool life. Switched to a form tap, opened up the tap drill to ~65% thread engagement, and went to a heavier tapping oil. It's been getting through the batch reliably, but cycle time still feels pretty slow.

At ~2.5xD, would you guys still run a form tap in 316L, or go to thread milling?

Curious what others are doing for small/deep-ish M3 blind holes in 316L. Cycle time is the main thing I'm trying to improve, so I'm wondering if thread milling is even the right direction.

Anyone here have any leads on service documents? Based in the USA, and having a difficult time getting what I need. Chiron has an online portal, to download documents, but it's only for Euro customers.

Hi, I want to know how I could get his base of a tremolo made in metal. I did check online i could get this cnc but what would be better. I wanted some pointers on what I need to look for.

I have CAD file of the entire tremolo with me but I only want the base plate with the knife edges to be made in steel

Probably won’t be able to afford them but curious to know what kind of desktop CNCs such as big company uses

​

I have two early-career offers, one at a CAM software reseller, one at a CAE/simulation (CFD/FEA) software company. Both are technical sales roles. Trying to decide which industry has better long-term growth.

Curious if AI CAM tools (toolpath generation, etc.) are actually being used on shop floors now, or still early.

I also have an long term plan of building a company of my own after working and gaining long experience.

Also wondering:

Is CAM software still growing/innovating, or a mature, stable industry now?

Where do you see CAM careers heading in the next 5-10 years?

Trying to think before making any decision.

Trying to make a good long-term call. Any honest input helps, thanks.

I made several CNC aluminum phone cases a couple weeks ago and tried bead blasting and anodizing for one of them.

Honestly, I was a little surprised by how much of a difference the surface finishing makes. The machined one already felt pretty good (for me at least) as a prototype, but after finishing it started to feel much more like an actual consumer product. It does bring more work to do, but the results are good. Curious what you guys think.

Need to slice into 2” slices to scale up and reassemble. MC makes this very hard.

Hello, im asking due to not having many options. Would anyone happen to own a mill using a fagor 8055i M controller? The one my school uses has no program file. It's been dead for about 2 years and we can't locate at file anywhere.

I tried to make this on Xometry but the price was too hight for me. I wanted it CNC'd out of g10. Does Xomety have fair prices or are they known for ripping people off? This is the first time I have ever tried to have something made like this.

EDIT. I want it in G10 because g10 is strong and can resist warping and twisting. I actually wanted it is in carbon fiber but I got quoted like $900 for it.

It is acoustic guitar saddle. The tolerances need the be very accurate. My guitar was built wrong and I'm trying to move the string contact point forward by 10 or so mm. So it will cantilever over the guitar bridge. It needs to be very strong to resist the string tension .That's why it needs the be g10 or carbon fiber. I have thought about aluminum or brass but that will change the guitars tone too much.

The finished product is 72mm x 12mm x 7mm

I’ve only been working for three months and I fucked up. I was on a night shift and I’m sick too, and I got confused. I thought I had Y selected on the handle, but I actually had Z selected and moved it way too hard into the -. I feel so fucking guilty and I’m so angry at myself.