An end mill smaller than 1.5mm or 1/6" is too small a diameter for end mills to cut through materials that are thick. A good rule of thumb is if the end mill has a cutting length that is more than what you want to cut, that diameter will be acceptable.

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CAN .7MM END MILL BE USED TO CUT THROUGH 15MM MDF?

It's best to use 3/4" sheet for the scratch build machines on this site. There needs to be room on the edge of the sheet for an intersecting hole to meet the hole for the cross dowel.

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Does the MDF have to be 3/4" or can you use Thinner sheets?

There are several CAD/CAM programs out there for MacOS. Here is a list of a few: http://www.macuser.de/forum/f53/3d-2d-cad-395058/#post4499316
I've also read good things about punchCAD: http://www.punchcad.com/
Of course, there is always SketchUp if you are in a pinch. There are a few CAM plugins for SketchUp as well, but I've never used them, so I can't vouch for them.

CAD/CAM will get you as far as designing your parts and producing the g-code, but if you also want to run the CNC machine with your Mac, you will need a piece of software similar to Mach3 or EMC to run the g-code. I haven't been able to find anything like these programs that runs on Mac, so you may have to run Mach3 or EMC in Windows using Boot Camp or a virtual machine such as VMware or Parallels.

Personally, I would use the Mac to do all the CAD/CAM, then use a cheap PC to run the CNC machine.

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EasyDNC for OSX
www.dnc-x.com

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Hi guys I’m new to the cnc and I’m beginning to learn how to operate and cad-cam software also my cnc runs on Mach3 my questions is if I should use MacBook to do all designs if I can have all this software to run on Mac or I have to use windows software to operate it? I have separate small computer connected to the cnc table who have Mach3 on it please help. Also if you know any other software much easy for beginners please let me know thank you guys!
My email if needed is r1jastrzebski@gmail.com

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Hi , thank you for your advise!

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Hi , thank you for your advise!

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Hi , thank you for your advise!

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Hi , thank you for your advise!

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CAN I USE AN APPLE COMPUTER TO RUN THE CNC?

There are several CAD/CAM programs out there for MacOS. Here is a list of a few: http://www.macuser.de/forum/f53/3d-2d-cad-395058/#post4499316
I've also read good things about punchCAD: http://www.punchcad.com/
Of course, there is always SketchUp if you are in a pinch. There are a few CAM plugins for SketchUp as well, but I've never used them, so I can't vouch for them.

CAD/CAM will get you as far as designing your parts and producing the g-code, but if you also want to run the CNC machine with your Mac, you will need a piece of software similar to Mach3 or EMC to run the g-code. I haven't been able to find anything like these programs that runs on Mac, so you may have to run Mach3 or EMC in Windows using Boot Camp or a virtual machine such as VMware or Parallels.

Personally, I would use the Mac to do all the CAD/CAM, then use a cheap PC to run the CNC machine.

Additional Information:


Additional Information:
EasyDNC for OSX
www.dnc-x.com

Additional Information:


Additional Information:
Hi guys I’m new to the cnc and I’m beginning to learn how to operate and cad-cam software also my cnc runs on Mach3 my questions is if I should use MacBook to do all designs if I can have all this software to run on Mac or I have to use windows software to operate it? I have separate small computer connected to the cnc table who have Mach3 on it please help. Also if you know any other software much easy for beginners please let me know thank you guys!
My email if needed is r1jastrzebski@gmail.com

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Additional Information:
Hi , thank you for your advise!

Additional Information:
Hi , thank you for your advise!

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Hi , thank you for your advise!

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Hi , thank you for your advise!

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CAN I USE A MAC TO CONTROL THE CNC?

Hour meter. This will tell you exactly how long your system has been 'on' giving you a more accurate bead on the length of your tubes life.

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WHAT CAN ADD TO MY BLACKTOOTH LASER CUTTER MEASURE THE TIME OF USE?

I haven't delved into using encoders with stepping motors too much. From my research, you need to have a controller that can provide the closed loop control, rather than software handling that process. I have also found from my research that using encoders on stepping motors is generally used to stop the machine in the case that the motor failed to achieve the commanded position for some reason and gives the user the chance to correct and continue with the job.

If you want proper closed loop control, it may be best to go with servos and servo controller that provide the closed loop control within the real of those two components.

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CAN I USE A STEPPING MOTOR WITH AN ENCODER?

Yes, unless you live in a state that has enacted legislation restricting use in pregnant women. There is no scientific evidence that thimerosal in vaccines, including influenza vaccines, is a cause of adverse events, unless the patient has a systemic allergy to thimerosal.

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CAN THIMEROSAL-CONTAINING VACCINE BE GIVEN TO PREGNANT WOMEN?

The plasma nozzle must be close to the cutting area and you will need some way to keep the nozzle at the right level with some type of device. The spray is downward, so you will need a contained area with a sheet of water at the bottom to extinguish he spray. You should have no problem using our machines for this application since you would need to product the table bed.

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CAN YOUR PRODUCTS OF MACHINES BE USED TO CREATE PLASMA TABLE?

If you use the 2.2kW spindle, it can cut at 3/4 inch or 19 mm deep with at least a 1/4" cutting diameter single flute end mill. You will get better results with larger diameter end mills, but that is the worst case scenario. I still recommend doing a finishing pass on the edge to make sure everything is perfect.

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CAN THE GREENBULL CUT 18MM BIRCH IN ONE PASS?

If you use the 2.2kW spindle, it can cut at 3/4 inch or 19 mm deep with at least a 1/4" cutting diameter single flute end mill. You will get better results with larger diameter end mills, but that is the worst case scenario. I still recommend doing a finishing pass on the edge to make sure everything is perfect.

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HOW DEEP CAN CUT IN ONE PASS?

The parallel breakout board has a relay that can turn the router on and off according to the control software in the computer. The router will turn on automatically prior to the machine moving (a time frame can be set so the router is up to speed). When the machine is finished and is not moving, the router automatically turns off. This is with the m3, m4, and m5 codes in the g-code.

If you are interested in the USB breakout board, you will need to get an independent relay board.

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HOW CAN THE ROUTER BE CONTROLLED OR CONNECTED TO ELECTRONICS COMPUTER?

There are several endmills that would work for that application. Here's the one we use in our own shop: https://buildyourcnc.com/Item/endmill-singleflute-upcut-Onsrud-1-flute-plastic-wood-aluminum for cutting .75 inch MDO.

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Which end mill would you advise to buy for cutting in full depth MDF and plywood of up to 20mm thickness? I am about to install a 2.2k spindel on my cnc.

A standard 40W CO2 laser will cut up to 1/4" thick of material, be it wood, acrylic, card stock, leather, fabric, foam, cork, etc. (Decent speed and final cut are heavily dependent on a strong air assist upgrade)

Metals cannot be cut due to the power level and wavelength of the CO2 laser. But it can be marked with special solutions like Cermark or Thermark.

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WHAT THICKNESS OF MATERIAL CAN THE BLACKTOOTH LASER CUT?

The Greenbull machine can cut a very wide variety of materials ranging from foam to aluminum. We recommend the use of our 2.2kW spindle to allow the greatest flexibility. Aside from that, the most important thing is to use an appropriate end mill for the material you are cutting and to use appropriate speeds and feed rates.



BYCNC Response:
Our 40W laser can cut up to about 1/4" materials ranging from wood and acrylic down through lighter materials such as leather, fabric, foam, etc. Speed and final cut are greatly enhanced by an air assist upgrade. We also offer an 80W laser which has approximately twice the capabilities of the 40W.

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WHAT MATERIALS CAN THE GREENBULL MACHINE CUT? LASER ETCH?

Mounting the extruder to the whiteAnt can be done a couple of ways. One is to take the 4 mounting holes located at the lower portion of the z-axis rail support and use long screws protruding out. Take a thinner material and drill the four holes matching the locations of the 4 screws and screw on nuts to hold it in place. The other option would be to use the metal bracket and fasten to the edge of the rail support.

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HOW CAN MOUNT THE EXTRUDER TO WHITEANT

You can see the component list on the hardware and plans machine (scratch build machine) since it is the same machine in the book:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Item/cnc-machine-scratchbuild

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How do I download the MDF Plans and cut List PDF file please

You can determine if the country is serviceable by:
- selecting the items you want to purchase on the website
- go to the cart (shopping cart top left of any webpage)
- log in, or register
- Enter the address and click on calculate shipping.

The webpage will return the direct rates and whether your area is serviced or not. Feel free to enter any address as long as you are able to receive the package from that address.

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CAN YOU SEND PRODUCTS TO MY COUNTRY?

The parallel breakout board has a relay that can turn the router on and off according to the control software in the computer. The router will turn on automatically prior to the machine moving (a time frame can be set so the router is up to speed). When the machine is finished and is not moving, the router automatically turns off. This is with the m3, m4, and m5 codes in the g-code.

If you are interested in the USB breakout board, you will need to get an independent relay board.

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HOW CAN THE ROUTER BE CONTROLLED BY COMPUTER?

You can determine if the country is serviceable by:
- selecting the items you want to purchase on the website
- go to the cart (shopping cart top left of any webpage)
- log in, or register
- Enter the address and click on calculate shipping.

The webpage will return the direct rates and whether your area is serviced or not. Feel free to enter any address as long as you are able to receive the package from that address.

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CAN YOU SHIP ITEMS TO MY COUNTRY?