Quote:
Originally Posted by rc_cola1323
Ok, I like this post, a lot of info. We basically bought a lc series 3024. So we are in the process of setting up. Does the CNC using MasterCam, get drawings from Solidworks and start cutting or am I missing a really important step of how CNC machines work?
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Yes, but indirectly. the machine doesn't know how to do anything by itself. Nor does MasterCAM. You have to use MasterCAM or your CAM program of choice to choose how to machine features, with what tools, at what speeds and feeds/depth of cuts/etc, and then MasterCAM translates that into code which the machine understands (G-Code).
You need to have a strong knowledge of your CAM program, and a good knowledge of G-code as well. The CAM output is rarely perfect, and as such, your G-code will need to be hand tweaked accordingly.
It is not a simple process. I would recommend finding a local community college that teaches CNC classes and take some of them. There's a lot to learn, and a lot of ways to ruin your part, your machine, or both.