What is a CNC machine?

CNC stands for “Computer Numerically-controlled” machines. These are machines which are digitally controlled fabrication machines. Furthermore CNC machines use computer aided software to to allow CAD models to be operated. The integration between these two softwares is called CAD-CAM.

Processes for CNC machining:

• Design the part to be made in CAD
• CAM:  define a series of cutting operations + export this as a G-code and load this into the software that runs the machine
• Set ZYXO values
• Run machine and carry out tests
• Run machine

What is the G-code?

G-code stands for “Geometric code” and is a programming language for CNC that instructs machines where and how to move.

This post will show you in detail how to CNC machine one a female mould tool for a silicone resin injection.

Step 1: Create a CAD model that you want to CNC. For example I have created a tile to CNC. It makes things easier if you design your model parallel to the front-line when it comes to setting the coordinates, as shown below.

Step 2: Generate a Tool Path

Move between “model” and “manufacture” as shown below.

CAM setup (Step 2)

Click on setup next to “manufacture” as shown below. Additionally the “z’ axis should be pointing upwards and the origin should be at the top of the centre of the model.

Next you want to add stock to the sides and bottom of your model. Doing this you must select “stock” as show in the image below and add 10mm on the sides 3mm on the top and 2mm on the bottom. Once this is done click ok. Leave all the other boxes as they are.

Step 3: Next you are going to want to right click on your setup and click new operation, 2D milling and then face.

Step 4: In the tool section you are going to want to select you tool. The details of which tool to select are shown below.

Step 5: Then go into “geometry and select your outer edge as your chain as shown below. This is to outline the edge of the mould.

Step 5: In step 5 you will select the height section. As shown below you only want to edit the top three boxes including clearance height, retract height and feed height. You want to change the “from section for all three to specify “top height”. Next you want to change each thee “offsets” to 3mm. Both images below show what you setup should look like after these steps have been completed.

Step 6: In step 6 you want to select “passes”. Here you want to edit 3 sections. Firstly select the box which says “multiple depths” so there is a tick inside the box. Secondly you want to edit the “step-over” to 1.5mm and finally you want to edit the “stock offset” to 0.5mm. When all of the is done click “ok”.

Step 7: After you have selected “ok” your mould should look similar to what is shown in the image below with a simulation of the tool-path and drill bit. Next you want to right click on ur face and select “simulate”.

Step 8: After I simulated the CNC the image below shows the outcome. However I have ran into a problem. This is because the 1mm engraved letter on the mould was not cut out. Additionally there was no counter around the edges.

I attempted to add an additional chain around the T however it made the CNC router out the inverse of what I wanted so this was not the solution.

After further research I realised I left out the 2D contour and the 2D pocket for the T shape. After I selected the outline for the contour and selected the T shape as the 2D pocket I attempted to simulate the process again and it finally worked as shown in the image below.

G-Code:

(PGM, NAME=”1001″)
; T1 D=3 CR=0 – ZMIN=-4 – FLAT END MILL
: G90 G40 G94
G17
G71
M26
; FACE4
M26
:T1 M6
M26
S5820 M3
H0
M8
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X-24.234
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; 2D CONTOUR1
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X-0.928 Y7.948 Z-3.412
X-0.881 Y7.903 Z-3.315
X-0.862 Y7.89 Z-3.2
G0 Z15
M9
M26
G0 X0 Y0
M30
M2