Digital Machinist

In the third installment of his feeds and speeds series, Bob Warfield discusses the importance of using proper feeds and speeds in CNC projects. Several topics are addressed, including whether to use climb or coventional milling, tool deflection, cutting in corners, and toolpaths. This is the kind of information you won't want to miss.

If you have ever been interested in getting into 3D printing, this article will help you get started. Having a CNC machine is about 75% of what you need to get started and Dan Mauch will walk you through the rest. Beginning with the explanation of some terminology and ending with the installation and use of the printer to create a part, this article is loaded with information that you will find very valuable in starting your own 3D printing projects.

This is the second installment of this multi-part series. John Ehler details creating a dividing head using servomotors that is not only used for gear hobbing, but also shows how procedures normally done with a mechanical dividing heads can be done electronically with an attached computer running a program such as Mach3.

Departments

Along the G-Code Way - Support Structures
by Ed Nisley

When creating oddly shaped items or parts with overhangs, support structures muct be created in order to guarantee the part comes out correctly. Although some software can handle this for you, Ed Nisley talks about optimizing your efforts to get the best results with the least amount of time and material wasted.

 

The Mechatronist – A Magnetic Gear Clock: Part Three
by Weston Bye

As seen at the NAMES (North American Model Engineering Society) show, we're moving closer to the completion of this very unique project. Work along with Weston Bye as he builds a clock that is free of traditional gears, running on magnet power!

We're not giving all our secrects away! As always, there will be more than just what's listed here. The Summer 2012 issue is in the works and will be mailing out in July!