cnc/cad/cam help

[petek]

[quote=ChrisH
If I were you I would definitely be checking out the local community college and see what they offer in the way of machining classes. Both basic machining and NC. You can't program very well if you don't understand the machine and you won't understand until you've run one.

Good Luck

ChrisH
[/QUOTE]


If you haven't done much machining, I'd like to second Chris' suggestion about taking a basic machining class. You need to understand cutting speeds and feed rates, cutting direction (climb vs. conventional), chip removal and a number of other things which are important to getting the part to come out right (and to not wear out your machine & cutters prematurely).

CNC is kindof like CAD: it makes the job easier and faster, but it can also let you make mistakes faster. You still have to know the basics for the job to come out right.

Where I used to work, they really encouraged designers and engineers to take a machining class at the local community college, even if they would never run the machines themselves - the experience made them appreciate how their designs would be made and the effort it takes to set a job up. Basically, it made them better designers.

(for the record, I don't use CNC myself, but have spent a little time in shops where it is used and talk to the machinists)