CNCCookbook's Giant List of Tips, Techniques, and Strategies for CNC'ers

Cycle Time 63
Setup Time 42
Tool Life 33
Surface Finish 28
Small CNC Machine Performance 16
DIY CNC 43
Part Programs 11

236

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The Ultimate Cycle Time Reduction Checklist
Want to get your CNC part program running faster and done faster?

63 Tips to rev up your cycle times

Step Description

1
Use higher performance tooling
2 Get Better Feeds and Speeds

3 Use Knowledge Based Feeds and Optimize feeds and speeds for your shop's
Speeds machines, tooling, and best practices.

4 Try HSM toolpaths and techniques

5 Use offline toolsetting

Try a Horizontal Mill instead of a

6 Vertical

You're not taking full advantage of your

7 machine if you don't use as much of its
Load More Parts on the Table travels and table capacity as possible

Programmable coolant nozzles, through

spindle coolant, and high pressure coolant
8 Upgrade Your Coolant System all add performance
9
Try a Bar Feeder for your VMC

10 Try a Corncob Rougher

11
Optimize Your Roughing Strategy

Try a reversing tapping head when

12 using very small taps

13 Look for ways to improve the design so

it's easier to manufacture--use Design
For Manufacturing tools.
 Use double vises to double the capacity
14 of a Setup Run more parts per setup

Work with your customer to reduce the

15 tolerances they require. Tight
tolerances are expensive in every
respect

Waterjet parts to a close enough

tolerance that only finish passes are
16 needed to complete a 2D part.

17 Increase pocket corner radii as much as

possible--you'll be surprised at how You can run bigger tools in the pocket with
much difference it makes. higher MRR's.

See if a button cutter (round insert

18 milling cutter) will do the job better
19 Optimize the Stepover for 3D
contouring toolpaths

If your CAM software allows it, enable

arc fitting to reduce the size of the
gcode program and replace short line
20 segments with longer continuous arcs

21 Maximize rigidity and minimize or avoid

Optimize Tool Stickout chatter altogether.

Choose the best type of toolholder to

22 minimize chatter
23 Increase feedrates by aiming your
coolant better
Increase feedrates by using through
24 spindle coolant

For softer materials such as aluminum,

25 see if you get better performance from
HSS. Your spindle may not go fast
enough to benefit from carbide and HSS
allows you to run higher chiploads

Unless you're drilling a deep hole, skip

pilot holes for holes smaller than 1" (25-
26 30mm) diameter.
27 Use screw-machine length drills instead
of jobber drills. They're more rigid and
seldom need spot drilling

Program a custom hole cycle rather

than using a canned cycle so you can
peck less often and get the hole drilled The Custom Deep Hole Wizard can be faster
28 faster. on any hole that requires a peck cycle.
29
Be systematic about eliminating chatter

If each setup happens on a differnet

machine, all setups are being done in
Offload secondary ops to another parallel which minimizes the cycle time to
30 machine to increase parallelism that of the longest setup.

31 Use a pallet system to enable faster

loading and unloading of the machine.

Use In-Process Probing for inspection

instead of requiring the operator to do
32 it.
33 Use a 4th Axis to index more parts with
fewer setups

Use a Gcode editor like G-Wizard to cut

out sections of gcode that are just
34 "cutting air".

35 Use a tool like G-Wizard Editor to

identify which portions of the part
program are using the most time and
then hand optimize those areas.
Create a vise pallet system for small
36 parts.

Make sure your CAM softare can do

37 "Tool Sorting" when cutting multiple
identical parts. This means use each
tool on all parts before changing to the
next tool.

Optimize Cut Width and Cut Depth with

a tool like G-Wizard Calculator's
38 CADCAM Wizards.
 Use a Feeds and Speeds Calculator with
39 a feature like CADCAM Wizards that can
automatically choose combinations of
parameters that keep the cut in the
fattest part of the machine's spindle
power curve.

Plug manufacturer's tool data into your

Feeds and Speeds Calculator to
40 maximize results.

41 Consider a purpose-made CNC machine

for some specialized jobs

Use a combination tool to replace

multiple other tools and save Setup and
42 Cycle time.

43 Get some ruggedized PC's and equip

them with the right software to
maximize shop floor productivity.

See whether your job could benefit

44 from Cryogenic Machining
45 Decide whether a gang lathe or turret
lathe is better for your job

Consider a Turn-Mill machine for your

46 job

47 Consider multiple ships to get more

parts done in the same number of days

Add even a little bit of lights out

48 machining to make more parts in a day

Use a simulator like GW Editor to

49 evaluate which machine in your shop
will perform best for a job.

Know how to make tradeoffs between

50 Setup Time and Cycle Time

Use a spring-loaded tool holder to

51 speed up engraving and improve the
results
 Balance your boring head so it can be
52 run at higher rpms

53 Know when to use a spot drill and when

it won't help
Understand when a 5 axis machine can
54 do the work faster

55 Understand how to fine tune the

parameters for entry to a cut

Calibrate your feeds and speeds to your

56 shop's needs

57 Drill and chamfer/deburr in one

operation.

58 Try partially gang tooling a turret

Understand when a twist drill can save

59 time versus interpolation to start a
pocket.

Try a 45 degree instead of a 90 degree

face mill for better surface finish, longer
60 tool life, and even better cycle times.

61 Know when it's better to interpolate

than use a twist drill

Cheat by using more than 2 or 3 flutes

62 in aluminum
63 Learn how to manage chatter as a
science.
 Resource Link

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/07/06/solid-carbide-end-mill-grades-geometries-and-coatings/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/GWCalcCutKB.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsHighSpeedMachining.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/07/04/choose-horizontal-vertical-machining-center/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/05/13/choosing-between-types-of-coolant-system-with-g-wizard/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/11/13/automatic-vise-loader-for-vmcs/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/02/15/use-corncob-roughers-to-kick-mrrs-up-a-notch/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/08/25/best-roughing-strategies-by-material/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/12/29/advantages-and-pitfalls-of-rigid-tapping/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCDesignForManufacturingDFM.htm
http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/07/27/the-high-cost-of-tight-tolerances/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/10/07/what-a-difference-a-radius-makes-cadcam-trick/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/04/07/button-cutter-copy-mill-or-toroidal-cutter-round-insert-milling-cutters/
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFe
edsSpeedsStepover.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/08/28/software-excuses-for-bad-surface-finishes/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/07/18/optimizing-tool-stickout-from-the-tool-holder/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/12/02/ul
timate-guide-selecting-toolholders-milling/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsCoolant.htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsCoolant.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2010/05/25/is-carbide-always-faster/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCFeedsSpeedsTwistDrill.htm
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCGCode
CustomDeepHoleCycles.htm
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFe
edsSpeedsChatter.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/04/08/cnc-4th-axis-introduction/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/01/quickie-vise-pallets-for-small-parts/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/Slides/FineTuning/GWFineTuningCCW.html
http://www.cnccookbook.com/Slides/FineTuning/GWFineTuningCCW.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/Slides/FineTuning/GWFineTuningToolData.html

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/08/26/a-quick-way-to-make-lots-of-holes-with-cnc/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/08/05/7-combination-or-multi-function-tools-to-save-you-time-and-money/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/07/24/dells-rugged-tactical-laptops-suitable-for-shop-floors/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsWhatIsCryogenicMachining.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/09/05/turret-gang-tooling-cnc-lathe/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/03/18/c-axis-turning-and-live-tooling-turning-and-milling-on-one-machine/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/11/01/shops-use-multiple-shifts/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/07/29/what-do-the-top-shops-do-that-makes-them-special/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/07/09/evaluating-vmc-performance-with-g-wizard/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCCycleTimeSetupTime.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/02/10/use-a-spring-loaded-engraving-tool-to-pick-up-the-engraving-pace/
http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/02/10/balance-your-boring-head-higher-rpms-productivity/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/06/21/fastest-way-center-4-jaw-by-david-lemereis/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/03/25/5-axis-cnc-benefits/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/03/07/helical-interpolation-ramp-angle-and-the-best-ways-to-enter-a-cut/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/02/23/calibration-essential-for-the-best-feeds-and-speeds/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/01/05/timesaving-tip-drill-and-chamferdeburr-in-the-same-operation/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2010/05/18/gang-tool-a-turret/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2010/09/24/interpolating-holes-vs-twist-drills/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/02/06/45-or-90-degree-face-mill/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/02/16/interpolate-or-twist-drill-part-deaux-making-holes-not-pockets/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/05/28/performance-recipe-cheating-on-the-2-flute-rule-for-aluminum-and-going-to-more

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsChatter.htm
Reducing Setup Time Checklist
Need to do Setups Faster?

Tips to get setups done faster than ever

42 before

Step Description
Organize all paperwork, material, fixtues
1 and tooling for the next job while the
Prep next job while the current job runs current job is running.
Preset tools in tool holders with relevant tool
2 information ready to go
3
Use a toolsetter on the machine

Use the "buddy" system. For every two

operators, one watches the machine while
the other prepares to setup the next job.
4 They alternate this task over time.

Organize all the tooling and hardware

5 needed for setup so it is quick and easy to Use the 5S system to make it easier to find
find. everything needed for setup

Standardize a set of frequently used tools

6 that are always kept loaded on all machines.
7 Create and use a Setup Checklist for the
machine operators to use.

Keepa clean and orderly workplace. Return

8 everything to its place when done using.

9 If your machine is less rigid, when chatter is a

problem, or when milling out very deep
pockets with tight corners, try plunge milling
for higher MRR's.

When machining a lot of tough materials,

experiment with increasing coolant
10 concentration a bit.

Figure out the optimal cut depth and cut

11 width combination for best material removal
rates. Don't just use the "proven" values for
every job.
 Get systematic and organized about
12 managing tool data

Save tools by interpolating holes rather than

13 drilling them--a single endmill can cover a
wide range of hole sizes
Use a Material Database to fine tune your
14 feeds and speeds

Eliminate tramming through probing. A quit

15 probe and subsequent g-code rotation to
align the part program to what the probe
discovered can completely eliminate the
need to tram vises and fixtures.

Use a modular fixture plate instead of T-Slots

to facilitate loading and unloading the table
16 quickly and with repeatable results.
17 Use a probe to quickly locate part zero

Learn what Best Practices for Setup Sheets

18 Improve your Setup Sheets are among CNCCookbook's readers.

19 Adopt a Lean Manufacturing "Kaizen"

continuous improvement process to reduce
Setup Time in your shop.

Learn how Lean Manufacturing Shops reduce

20 setup time using SMED

21 Use a digital microscope to monitor insert

wear

Add keys to plate fixtures so they align to the

22 machine's t-slots to save setup time.

Use CNCCookbook's Fixture Calculator to

23 decide which jobs need purpose-built
fixtures

Put stops on all your vises. Use a Kant-Twist

24 clamp in a pinch.
 Set up work offsets so part zeros are one
corner of the fixed jaw of each vise on the
25 table. Do your CADCAM work with that
expectation. Now you can walk out, slap a
piece of material in a vise, align it to that
corner, and go.

Consider an alternative to toolboxes to put

26 setup tools always at close reach

27
Use a combination tool to replace multiple
other tools and save Setup and Cycle time.

See what others are doing to optimize shop

28 productivity.

29
Pick the best options for your next CNC
machine to optimize your shop's ROI

30 Use a robot to change vise jaws

31
Use soft jaws for a 5C collet chuck

32 Consider vacuum fixtures for some jobs

33 Compare your shop's productivity

investments to others.

Load Tool Data and Work Offset data with a

gcode programming so you don't have to set
34 it up manually

35 Use a racking system with tags or barcodes

to manage your toolholders and tool data for
the cutters in the holders.

Use any down time for training and

36 preventative maintenance

37 Try these two offbeat methods to rapidly

tram a vise
 User power-operated (pneumatic or
38 hydraulic) fixtures

Get your machines onto the Ethernet and

39 make it more efficient to manage and
distribute gcode to them.
Know how to make tradeoffs between Setup
40 Time and Cycle Time

41 Know when to turn the coolant off and when

not to.

The fastest way to center work in a 4 jaw

42 chuck
 Resource Link

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCToolManagement2.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCToolManagement.html

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/08/08/
5s-organize-productivity-lean-
manufacturing-part-2/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/03/23/2-tools-calculating-cut-depth-cut-widthstepover-milling
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCToolManagement2.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCGCodeHelicalInterpolationCircularRamping.htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsInfographic.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/09/08/results-setup-sheet-survey/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/08/14/kaizen-continuous-improvement-good-change-lean-manufacturing-part-3/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/09/01/smed-lean-manufacturing-setup-reduction-lean-manufacturing-principles-part-6/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/07/25/use-a-digital-microscope-to-monitor-insert-wear/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/09/04/super-simple-keyed-fixtures-for-cnc-mills/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/07/17/heres-a-quick-way-to-figure-out-whether-to-build-a-fixture/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/10/odds-and-ends-5-handy-shop-tips-and-tools/
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCGCodeTouchOff.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/08/09/adam-savages-radical-alternative-to-tool-boxes/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/08/05/7-combination-or-multi-function-tools-to-save-you-time-and-money/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/07/07/shop-productivity-survey-results/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/05/30/whats-the-value-of-all-those-options-your-machine-dealer-wants-to-sell-you/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/04/13/use-robot-change-milling-vise-jaws-yes-please/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/11/30/use-soft-jaws-5c-collet-chuck/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/02/18/fixturing-with-vacuum-tables-vacuum-chucks-and-vacuum-clamping-systems/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/08/11/shops-investing-competitive-survey-results/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/04/14/results-of-the-cnccookbook-tool-data-management-survey/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/04/14/results-of-the-cnccookbook-tool-data-management-survey/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/03/24/10-strategies-for-managing-the-feast-or-famine-job-shop/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/08/20/2-weird-tricks-to-tram-a-milling-vise/
http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/07/29/what-do-the-top-shops-do-that-makes-them-special/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/07/29/what-do-the-top-shops-do-that-makes-them-special/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCCycleTimeSetupTime.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/10/23/when-to-use-dry-cooling-vs-flood-cooling/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/06/21/fastest-way-center-4-jaw-by-david-lemereis/
Extending Tool Life Checklist
Want to save money through longer tool life?

Tips to get stretch tool life longer than

33 ever

Step Description

1 Try a tension compression holder even for

Rigid Tapping

Use a lower thread percentage to increase

2 tap life

3 Make sure you're properly torquing your ER

collets

They hold better for a given amount of

4 Try Ball Bearing Collet Nuts on ER Chucks torque.

Select a gentler entry to the cut with your

5 CAM program, and reduce feeds and
speeds during the entry to cut.

Check and minimize your spindle and

6 toolholder runout
7
Minimize Tool Deflection
Be paranoid and proactive about clearing
8 chips

9 In cases where the tool has to flex or

deflect more, consider using an HSS tool
instead of carbide--they're less brittle.

Use a Feeds and Speeds Calculator to make

10 sure you have proper feeds and speeds.

11 Keep chiploads from falling so low the

cutter rubs instead of cutting chips cleanly
Use proper lubrication, especially with
12 sticky materials like aluminum
13 Derate your machine's horsepower for
rigidity when using a smaller CNC machine.

14 Reduce spindle speed A little bit less rpm goes a long way

15 Above a certain surface speed, many

tooling manufacturers recommend turning
off the coolant to reduce shock cooling.

Use a spot drill not a center drill to spot drill

holes. The small diameter pilot on a center
16 drill is delicate.

17 Use peck cycles, parabolic flutes, and

through spindle coolant for deeper holes.

18 Use a good tapping fluid when tapping

19
Be systematic about eliminating chatter

Use tools with an odd number of teeth,

such as a 3 flute endmill. They deliver less
20 vibration and more chip clearance.

21 Understand how to help tools survive deep The same principles apply to mills as are
slotting operations discussed in this article for CNC Routers.

22 Understand how runout affects tool life

23 Add a Surface Speeds Safety Factor to your
feeds and speeds calculations

Maximize the length of flute used in the cut You can use a tool likfe G-Wizards CADCAM
24 to spread the wear over a greater area. Wizards to do this for you.

25
Use a threadmill instead of a tap on holes
where the risk of breaking a tap is high

26 Peck Tap difficult holes to break chips

27
Prefer form taps to cut taps--they're
stronger and so are the formed threads
 Use a spring-loaded tool holder to speed up
28 engraving and improve the results

29
Use "wiggle piercing" to increase
consumable life on plasma tables

Understand how to fine tune the

30 parameters for entry to a cut
31
Roll into cuts for best finish and tool life

Try a 45 degree instead of a 90 degree face

mill for better surface finish, longer tool life,
32 and even better cycle times.
33
Learn how to manage chatter as a science.
 Resource Link

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/12/29/advantages-and-pitfalls-of-rigid-tapping/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/06/14/tap-drill-size-whats-the-right-one-aka-planning-ahead-to-reduce-broken-taps/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2010/09/28/getting-the-best-performance-from-er-collet-chucks/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2010/09/28/getting-the-best-performance-from-er-collet-chucks/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsToolpath.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/10/23/checking-measuring-toolholder-runout-cnc-milling-machine/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsDeflect.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/11/04/11-ways-increase-tool-life/
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsHeat.htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCDryMachining.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCFeedsSpeedsTwistDrill.htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCTappingFeedsSpeedsTechniques.html
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillF
eedsSpeedsChatter.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/09/30/deep-slot-cnc-router-jobs-deflection-trade-offs/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/12/02/runout-versus-tool-life/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/11/04/11-ways-increase-tool-life/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/07/23/tapping-tidbits-limit-for-form-taps-peck-tapping-thread-mill-when-risk-is-high/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/07/23/tapping-tidbits-limit-for-form-taps-peck-tapping-thread-mill-when-risk-is-high/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/07/23/tapping-tidbits-limit-for-form-taps-peck-tapping-thread-mill-when-risk-is-high/
http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/02/10/use-a-spring-loaded-engraving-tool-to-pick-up-the-engraving-pace/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/11/19/wiggle-piercing-to-improve-consumable-life-and-piercing-performance-for-cnc-pla

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/03/07/helical-interpolation-ramp-angle-and-the-best-ways-to-enter-a-cut/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2010/05/15/rolling-into-a-cut/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/02/06/45-or-90-degree-face-mill/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsChatter.htm
Improving Surface Finish Checklist
Want the best possible surface finish on parts?

28 Tips to improved surface finish

Step Description
1 Use More Flutes for the Finishing Pass, even
in aluminum
Try a single flute endmill in plastics or if you
2 have a high speed spindle
3 Use a high quality flood coolant
Try an oil-based coolant instead of water
4 soluble
5 Use vibratory deburring to deburr or polish
parts

6 Try a fly cutter instead of a face mill

7 Adjust Chordal Tolerance in your CADCAM

Software

Experiment to find whether Climb or

Conventional Milling gives you a better
8 surface finish. Don't just assume climb is always the best!

9 Optimize toolpath entries and exits for

surface finish

Avoid dwells which leave tool marks and flat

10 spots

11 Choose the best type of tool holder for

surface finish
Set your CADCAM up properly to avoid
12 "faceting" artifacts on surfaces
13 Use endmills with a corner radius, they are
less prone to chipping. They're often called "bullnose" endmills

14 Be systematic about eliminating chatter

15 Clear the chips before they can scratch up
your finish
16 Try a PCD flycutter on aluminum
17 Use an insert with a larger radius
 Use sharp inserts, increase lead angle, and
18 look for positive rake
19 Don't cut down the centerline--it makes the
insert slap flat against the material.

Tram your mill carefully, or take it out of

tram until you can't see tooling marks on
20 both sides of the cutting radius

Use tools with an odd number of teeth, such

21 as a 3 flute endmill. They deliver less
vibration and more chip clearance.

Use a tool like G-Wizard Calculator that can

show you the minimum chipload Feeds and
Speeds that won't rub--you'll get your best
22 surface finishes near those feeds and speeds.

23
Balance your boring head to reduce vibration

Reduce depth of cut on a pocket finish pass

24 to improve finish and reduce chatter
25
Roll into cuts for best finish and tool life

Align lead-ins and lead-outs for best surface

26 finish when profiling edges

27 Try a 45 degree instead of a 90 degree face

mill for better surface finish, longer tool life,
and even better cycle times.

28 Learn how to manage chatter as a science.

 Resource Link

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/12/23/why-use-a-single-flute-end-mill

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCFlyCutter.html

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/08/28/software-excuses-for-bad-surface-finishes/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsClimbConventional.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/08/28/software-excuses-for-bad-surface-finishes/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/08/28/software-excuses-for-bad-surface-finishes/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/12/02/ultimate-guide-selecting-toolholders-milling/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsToolpath.htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFe
edsSpeedsChatter.htm
http://www.cnccookbook.com/Slides/FineTuning/GWFineTuningTortoise.html

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/02/10/balance-your-boring-head-higher-rpms-productivity/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/12/18/great-tip-pull-up-the-finishing-pass-on-pockets/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2010/05/15/rolling-into-a-cut/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2010/12/03/cam-tip-align-lead-ins-and-lead-outs-with-part-corners/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/02/06/45-or-90-degree-face-mill/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeedsChatter.htm
Maximizing Small Machine Performance Checklist

Tips to get the most out of your Small CNC

16 Machine

Step Description

1
Derate your machine's horsepower for
rigidity when using a smaller CNC machine.

Try serrated or corncob roughers, they use

less power and make smaller chips--good
2 qualities for smaller CNC machines

3
Be sure you're running proper feeds and
speeds--use a calculator!

4 Minimize Tool Deflection

5
Adjust Feeds and Speeds to match your
machine's power curve

Use Decent Toolholders and Keep an Eye on

6 Runout

Be totally paranoid about chip clearing

8 Maximize setup rigidity

Take light cuts, but not too light Avoid the danger of rubbing
10 Enter the cut properly
11
Tram Your Mill

Give your machine a fighting chance by using

12 decent quality cutters

Use a Feeds and Speeds Calculator with a

13 feature like CADCAM Wizards that can
automatically choose combinations of
parameters that keep the cut in the fattest
part of the machine's spindle power curve.

Check your machine's backlash periodically

to adjust it out and keep it within reasonable
14 limits.

15 Use a combination tool to replace multiple

other tools and minimize tool changes

Improve your machine's performance with a

16 motion control board.
 Resource Link

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/
http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCMillTram
ming.html

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/09/the-12-secrets-of-machining-tough-materials-on-small-cnc-machines/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCBacklash1.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/08/05/7-combination-or-multi-function-tools-to-save-you-time-and-money/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/12/23/motion-control-boards-take-mach3-from-hobby-class-to-industrial-grade-part-1/
DIY CNC Steps to First Cut Checklist
A big, fat, roll-up-your-sleeves checklist for DIY and Beginner CNC'ers to get up to speed

43 Tips to get your started

Step Description
1 Understand how all the different kinds of
CNC software work together
Learn at least the basics of Feeds and
2 Speeds theory It's not that hard and will be endlessly useful
3
Learn the basics of gcode programming

Decide what type of DIY CNC machine best

4 fits your needs, abilities, and budget

You should start learning CAD before you

start building (or buy) your machine. It'll be
useful along the way and this gives you
5 Choose the right CAD package for you plenty of time to become proficient.

Once you have a CAD package and can make

drawings with it, take a look at the World's
6 Easiest CAM Software.

Try some Conversational CNC: Create Make your CNC into the Super Hero of all
simple gcode programs without CAD or Manual Machines and skip CADCAM for
7 CAM. simple jobs.

See what the most popular CAM packages You want a popular package so it'll be easy to
8 are in the market. get help.

See what the most popular CAD packages Because you'll want to be able to get help
9 are in the the market. from a big ecosystem of fellow users.

See which endmill brands are the most You'll need endmills and you may as well see
10 popular what others are choosing.

Know what you're up against--see our

11 survey on what's hard about learning CNC.
 G-Wizard Editor will tell you in plain English
what each line of gcode does--helps you to
Try a Gcode Editor/Simulator that helps you come up to speed quickly on common
12 to learn the Gcode gcodes.

You can also use it to check whether your

Get familiar with Feeds and Speeds using a CNC Machine (real or imagined) can work
13 good Feeds and Speeds Calculator. with the materials you want to cut.
Understand Part Zero, Touch Offs, and
14 Zeroing Key concepts you'll need right from the start.

Don't just gloss over them, stop and look up

the terms. They'll become second nature
15 Look up unfamiliar terms in a CNC Dictionary pretty quickly if you do.
Learn the Basic Cutter Types associated with
16 your machine.

17 Learn Basic Workholding for your machine.

Learn MDI so you can run your CNC like a

18 manual machine and save time on Setups.

Learn the 9 Easy Gcodes every machinist

19 should know

Go through our Beginner's Guide to Learning

CAD to get through the CAD learning curve
20 faster.

Check for and eliminate or at least minimize

21 backlash in your DIY CNC machine

Make sure your stepper or servo motors are

22 the right size for you CNC application

Choose the right donor mill for your CNC

23 conversion project

Learn about key requirements for a

balanced design that performs well in the And learn what to do if your CNC machine
24 materials you want to work with. has some weaknesses in this area.

Learn all about ballscrews, how they're

mounted, and how to drive them on your
25 DIY CNC Machine.

Learn about the tradeoffs between Closed

Loop and Open Loop controls for DIY CNC
26 Machines.
 Learn how to balance the design specs for
your DIY CNC Machine for best performance
27 at lowest cost.

Learn how Acceleration and Cutting Forces

28 affect DIY CNC machines.

A complete motor selection framework for

29 DIY CNC Machines.

Spindles, Drawbars, and Toolchangers for

30 DIY CNC Machines

Choosing a spindle, VFD, and spindle drive

31 for a DIY CNC Machine

Do you need to learn Manual Machining

32 before trying to learn CNC?

33 Learn how to Tram your mill

Get some ideas for how to wire up a clean

34 enclosure for your DIY CNC Electronics

Learn to diagnose and eliminate electrical

35 noise from your DIY CNC Electronics

36 Debug and Test Your DIY CNC Electronics

Understand the Gcode coordinate pipeline

and you'll have the big picture when it
37 comes to coordinates

Understand the differences between how

pros think about CNC software versus
38 hobbyists

39 Learn CAM by starting out simple

Go through the 10 things a beginning CNC

40 milling machine user needs to succeed

Get together the basic tooling you need to

41 get started in CNC
 Improve your machine's performance with a
42 motion control board.

Use the right grease for best performance

43 on your machine's spindle
 Resource Link

http://www.cnccookbook.com/MTCNCSoftware.htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCMillFeedsSpeeds.htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCGCodeCourse.htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCDIYCNCMachineTypes.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/05/24/how-to-choose-your-cad-software/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCMeshCamEasyCAMSoftware.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCGWizardConversationalCNC.html

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/01/20/results-from-the-2014-cnccookbook-cam-software-market-share-survey/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/01/20/results-2015-cad-survey/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/02/05/results-2015-cnccookbook-end-mill-brand-survey/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/05/02/whats-hard-learning-cnc-survey-results/
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCGWizardE.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCGWizard.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCGCodeTouchOff.htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCDictionary.
htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCDIYCNCBeginners.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCDIYCNCBeginners.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCGCodeMDI.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/02/11/gcodes-every-machinist-must-learn/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCBegin
nersGuideToLearningCAD.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCBacklash1.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/05/20/step-and-servo-motor-sizing-software-for-cnc/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/01/08/ultimate-benchtop-cnc-mini-mill-part-1-the-donor-mill/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/03/15/what-now-my-cnc-wont-go-slow-enough-or-fast-enough/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/01/12/ultimate-benchtop-cnc-mini-mill-part-2-cnc-conversion/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/01/27/ultimate-cnc-mini-mill-steppers-servos-closed-loop-open-loop/
http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/02/06/ultimate-benchtop-cnc-mini-mill-part-4-motion-performance/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/02/27/ultimate-benchtop-cnc-mini-mill-part-5-acceleration-and-cutting-forces/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/04/16/ultimate-benchtop-cnc-mini-mill-part-6-motor-selection-wrap-up/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/06/11/ultimate-benchtop-cnc-mini-mill-part-7-spindle-drawbar-and-toolchanger/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/06/03/ultimate-benchtop-cnc-mini-mill-part-8-a-spindle-for-our-mill/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/01/01/should-cnc-machinists-learn-manual-machining-first/

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCMillTramming.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCEnclosureIdeas.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCNoise.html

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCDebug.htm

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCGCodeCoordinateOffsetsScalingRotation.htm

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/06/23/the-secret-of-choosing-cnc-software-for-pros-vs-hobbyists-and-beginners/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/09/29/every-beginner-know-cam/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/02/22/10-things-beginning-cnc-milling-machine-users-need-to-succeed/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2012/07/23/20-bits-of-tooling-a-beginning-cnc-mill-user-will-need/
http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/12/23/motion-control-boards-take-mach3-from-hobby-class-to-industrial-grade-part-1/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2010/04/27/klubers-magic-spindle-bearing-grease/
Master Checklist Before Running a Part Program

Tips to think about before

running your part program on
11 your CNC Machine

Step Description

Do you have a drawing of the part? Is it a

1 CAM or Conversational CNC? simple part? If you don't have a drawing
and/or if the part is simple enough, you may
find Conversational CNC is a much faster
way to get gcode for your part.

With multiple vises the tempation may be to

2 Give each vise a different setup have them all run one setup. That's certainly
simpler. But consider running a different
setup in each vise. This way, if there is a bad
setup that is only discovered when you try to
run a later setup, you will see it before
you've run all the parts through it.

3 Dry run the program or single

step with reduced speed rapids
4 Make sure you've got a great
Setup Sheet for the part

Load your part program in a

gcode simulator like G-Wizard
Editor and check the backplot
5
and error messages for
problems before putting it on
the machine.

If your part program will plunge

an endmill make sure you've got
6 center-cutting endmills for that
tool position.

Be sure improper use of decimal

7 points won't crash your
machine.

Make sure a tailstock is available

8
if your turning job needs one.
 Use a simulator like G-Wizard
Editor that has soft limits to
9 check whether part programs
break dangerously clear of the
limits.

Use G-Wizard Editor to manage

symbolic names for macro
10
variables to make it easier to
program and undersand them.

Use a simulator like G-Wizard

11 Editor that can detect infinite
loops in part programs
 Resource Link

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/09/08/results-setup-sheet-survey/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/09/21/15-reasons-cutters-get-broken-on-small-machines/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2015/08/24/decimal-points-a-quick-way-for-the-unwary-to-crash-a-cnc-machine/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2014/12/07/lathe-tailstock-basics-plus-tormach-tailstock/
http://blog.cnccookbook.com/category/blog/page/22/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2013/03/29/g-wizard-editors-new-macro-variable-tab-setvn-naming-variables/

http://blog.cnccookbook.com/2011/06/30/adding-infinite-loop-detection-and-macro-stepping-to-g-wizard-cnc-editor/