The next two lines are X and Y cutting speed (150 in. Ours has only one, and in this case, it’s defined as an end-mill (a simple two-flute 1/4 in. The T1 is a definition for Tool 1 (some machines have multiple tools). This is “home” for the X and Y axes, and a safe margin above the material so it doesn’t start cutting too soon. The top line tells the machine to go to X0, Y0, and 0.8 Z, which is eight-tenths of an inch above the work surface. If you study the G-code, you’ll begin to recognize its instructions. G-code is text, thankfully, and it’s pretty easy to interpret. But within these three seemingly simple axes are a world of complexities: cutting speed, spindle speed, plunge speed, cutting depth, number of passes, step-over settings, tabs, and much more.ĬNC machines of all types use a control schema called G-code. Ours is pretty simple – left-right (X), back-forth (Y), and up-down (Z). That software can be customized to control a wide variety of CNC devices. We run the machine with a program called Mach3, which is probably the most common machine control software in the industry. It’s a very powerful machine, using four NEMA 34 stepper motors to control the movements and position of a DeWalt 3.5 HP router. We have learned that the machine will do exactly what you tell it to do – even machine right through itself, if you give it the wrong instructions. We entered the learning mode, where we have been for several weeks. Once the machine was assembled, which took the better part of two days, it was ready to run. That plywood sheet will become a hold-down board for future projects. At the moment of this photo the router was cutting T-slots in a sheet of 3/4 in. This is the CNC router, built from a kit made by Avid CNC. The parts are well-made the precision of the machine seems to be extraordinary.

They sell kits for the do-it-yourselfer to make a CNC machine of your own. The CNC machine is a product of a Washington state company called Avid CNC. Moving deeper into the digital domain, last month we installed a large CNC router table, and we have been learning the ropes of computer-controlled routing since then. I have added digital micrometers to two of our tools – one to the router table, making it precise to 0.001 in., another to our 12-inch planer, adding the ability to dial-in similar precision to cuts we make on that machine. Since then we have expanded the shop to include several stationary power tools and a very large work bench and assembly table that has electricity and compressed air delivered to its perimeter. We consolidated shops in 2005 when I moved into a small house where there is no room for large power tools. The shop in question is located in my friend Jim’s barn. In previous blogs I have described how I have designed things in Illustrator, then built them out of wood in my shop.

Cnc plugin for illustrator