CNC Milling

Nicolas Knauer
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
4/29/16

Overview:
The CNC Milling project was done individually by everyone taking the course. It was
somewhat personalized, the project required that we use a CNC Mill to engrave our
initials and a shape into wax blocks. The shape could be anything we wanted, as long as
we had to use trig to solve for a point. The initials required we use an arc at least once as
well. The project took about 2 weeks to learn how to write G-Code, learn the proper
procedure for using the mill, and then writing and milling my two pieces. The project
served the purpose of familiarizing me with the CNC equipment and giving me a better
understanding of how the technology works.

Materials List:
Operational CNC Mill
Wax Blocks
CNCmotion software

Procedure:
The process begins with planning. I plan out what
Im going to machine on the mill by drawing it on
grid paper first and plotting all the points required
to map it. Some coordinates required solving for
using trig. Then I wrote the G-Code for the part by
hand. Once everything is prepared I put the part in
the mill, clamp it down, change the mill bit, close
the hood, and prepare to machine the part. Before
machining the part it should be verified to ensure
there are no errors, and then I would double check
to ensure that I had selected the correct tool,
loaded the right program, and am using the right
materials. After homing the machine I zero it and
then start the program. If there is ever an error or
the machine does something it should not be I stop
the machine. Once the machine finishes I ensure
that the mill is turned off and then lift the lid and
unclamp the part. The milling process is done and
I clean up the remains with a vaccum. This process
was used to create both wax blocks.

Concepts Covered:
Coordinate systems, automation, and attention to detail were all concepts that are covered
in CNC Milling. A coordinate system is at the heart of CNC milling, and is a concept that
allows the technology to exist. Understanding coordinate systems is essential to writing
G-Code. Automation is another concept covered in this project. Understanding that you

have to set everything up perfectly in order for it to run on its own is important. Another
side of this is testing; the program should always be verified before running it on the mill.
Attention to detail is important as well, when planning out the program the mill will run
you have to be as accurate as possible.

Summary:
The CNC Milling project taught me a lot about the technology and process behind it. I
understand the technology a lot more than I did before and feel capable of using it. The
wax blocks milled in the project just served as a learning exercise and they did that job
extremely well. There were multiple times that I struggled when testing my programs for
the shape. I ended up getting a bad arc multiple times and now I better understand how
the arc command works and fully understand the requirements for it. I also made an error
when cutting the initials. I had started the program with the wrong tool selected, and the
CNC mill plunged into the block much farther than I had intended, the mill was stopped
during its run. I learned a lesson there and its not a mistake I would make in the future as
it could be a costly one.