What If You Could Have a Bar Feeder for Your VMC?

I came across this product by accident while searching for something else and thought it was pretty cool.  For most shops, the limiting factor in productivity is the time when the spindle is not running, the operator has the door open, and everything slows down, including profitability.  Achieving 100% spindle utilization is the Holy Grail in shop productivity.
There are a lot of approaches to reducing the amount of time spent in setup and similar operations, and this product certainly seems like it might contribute some savings.  The intent was to create a non-robotic and easily programmed system that loads and unloads the machine vise on your table with a simple conveyor belt.  … Read the rest

Amazing Shopmade Plasma Table

This plasma table from CNCZone is probably the most impressive table I have yet come across:

It’s a big beast. The gantry is mounted on the long axis so that when it is slid out of the way, access to the table with a full sheet of material is easy.

They had the various parts laser cut by a nearby supplier. Note the copious use of “tab and slot” construction. I see this a lot when plasma cut (or waterjet) parts are to be welded together.
Also note that cutting out parts like this would be a perfect job for a plasma table (or laser or waterjet).… Read the rest

Jared’s Cube: Baffling and Beautiful

If you like Turner’s Cubes, perhaps Jared’s Cube will appeal:

I found these quite by accident via Google. Aren’t they cool?
Something similar would make a neat CNC router project.  I could imagine one like the last photo but done so the layers alternate light and dark woods.  If you’ve done something artistic with your CNC machine, send me some photos.… Read the rest

What Makes Your CNC Business Different?

Having founded 4 Silicon Valley startups and participated in success and failure at 3 others, I’ve learned a little bit about making a business successful.  I write another blog called Smoothspan that specifically discusses business strategy for entrepreneurs, but I like to do a post here every now and again when I have something to say that is particularly suited to the CNC, machining, and manufacturing world.  I know a lot of you out there either have your own businesses or have considered starting a business, so I want to pass along whatever I can.… Read the rest

Every Day Carry: New Ideas for CNC Projects

According to Wikipedia, Every Day Carry (EDC), “refers to a small collection of tools, equipment and supplies that are carried on a daily basis to assist in tackling situations ranging from the mundane to the disastrous.”
While there can be something of a suvivalist overtone to EDC writings, I just see them as neat ideas for CNC projects and something a machinist ought to be carrying around in their pockets.  They’re typically little tools designed to go on your keychain or on a chain around your neck.  Here are a few to take a gander at so you get the idea:
I’ve got links on a couple of those in case you’d rather just buy one.  … Read the rest

Rocketman: Toys and Curiosities for the Mechanical Mind

Mechanisms can be beautiful as art, and I am always pleased when I find a new site that offers that sort of thing.  Today, we’re celebrating Rocketman’s many fascinating toys and curiosities:

Gears, a crank, and precision dowel pins let you customize this gearbox according to your own desires…

CNC’ers appreciate the backlash-free operation ofa  ballscrew…
Check out the rest of the site for more interesting mechanical art.  Perhaps it’ll inspire you to your own project or toy.… Read the rest

New Video: G-Wizard Editor Setup Tool

Just uploaded a new video that shows how the G-Wizard Editor Setup tool can be used to change units between Metric and Imperial, setup Machine Profiles, and configure for your CNC controller’s g-code dialect:

 GWE has extensive support for different g-code dialects, and lets you create a full “Post” that defines how your controller behaves.  In addition, we have a number of predefined machine profiles and posts that you can use as your starting point.  The video shows how to easily take advantage of all that.… Read the rest

Been Waiting for Our Next Sale? It’s Here!

Been waiting for our next sale?  Now is the time, because it’s here.  Announcing our Halloween / Day of the Dead Sale, because we had to get into the spirit (pardon our pun) of the season.
Starting now (the night before Halloween) and running through November 2 (Friday is the last day!) you can save 15% off purchases over $100 just by entering “TRICKORTREAT” as the coupon code in our shopping cart.
Here are some things you could do with that coupon:
-  Buy a 3 year subscription to G-Wizard Calculator, normally $129, for $109.65.  … Read the rest

G-Wizard Editor v0.700 adds Coordinate Shifting, Scaling, G-Code Marker on Backplot, and Beta Survey

G-Wizard Editor version 0.700 has just been uploaded to the install page.  BTW, our install pages are listed on our Software page, which can be reached by selecting the “Software” choice from the menu bar at the top of every one of our web pages.
GWE v0.700 is a minor feature release with several useful new things:
- New Translate Revision. Translate allows you to shift or scale all the coordinates in a program or a selection and soon it will also do rotation. The scale function can also convert between metric and inch coordinates.  … Read the rest

Combined Coolant Ring and High Speed Engraving Spindle Using G-Wizard in a High School Shop

We have a large following with High School and College machine shops across the world.  Both G-Wizard Calculator and G-Wizard Editor make Feeds and Speeds and G-Code a lot easier for students and improve their chances for success on their projects.  We offer an educational discount to such institutions (inquire for more information) because we want to encourage educators and newcomers to the machinist’s art.
I recently got a very nice note and pictures from Kevin in Port Hardy, BC, Canada:
I recently came across your webpage, looked through it and became a big benefactor.… Read the rest

G-Wizard Calculator v1.700 Learns to Print

G-Wizard Calculator version 1.700 is just out with two great new features.  First, a long-standing request from our customers that had also scored well on the Customer Portal feature voting:  GW Calculator can now print any page.  Just right click on the page to bring up the Print menu.  Folks had been asking for this so they can capture feeds and speeds, threading info, and a whole host of other things on a printout to take over to the machine:

Print any page in GW Calculator using the right click print menu…
Second, we’ve started redesigning the various pages and applets to use less screen real estate in preparation to creating a version of GWC that runs on tablets.  … Read the rest

CNC Router Tip to Reduce Pullout from Wood

I came across this neat tip over on Lumberjocks.com to reduce pullout when engraving or milling wood.  The idea is simple: just spray a sealer like laquer on the wood to give it a little more support.  Here’s a nice cleanly engraved plaque done using this method:… Read the rest

When to Use Dry Cooling vs Flood Cooling

I recently found a great checklist for when to use dry vs flood cooling.  Dry cooling with an air blast is preferred under the following situations:
1.  When workpiece hardness is greater than 42 RC
Machining such materials results in high temperatures and often work hardened chips.  The high temperatures mean a much greater potential for shock cooling, which radically shortens the life of your carbide tooling.  Air cooling does a better job of preventing those hardened chips from being recut than most flood cooling can.  Softer materials are much less likely to result in temperatures that lead to shock cooling problems.  … Read the rest

Could You Use an Engraver’s Vise?

I came across this slick little engraver’s vise on the Candlepower Forums (dedicated to building custom flashlights):

I like the use of dowel pins to hold irregular parts. In fact, this is why they’re called “peg vises.” Available from jewelry supply houses for under $20. Here’s a link to some on Amazon.  It might a useful clamping idea for a fixturing project too, especially for an irregularly shaped part.… Read the rest

Making a Custom Tooling Drawer for ER Collets and Toolholders

As seen on CNCZone:

You’ve got your CNC mill to make the drawer.  Add a few brackets to attach to the drawer slides–they’re cheap at the hardware store–and Voila!  You’ve got a custom tooling drawer.  Or, you could just put some standoffs and make a tray similar to this that drops into a file cabinet or rolling tool cabinet drawer.… Read the rest