Subjects covered:

Get to Know a CNC - Week 1

Hands-on with the machines. Learn how they move, how to manually control them, mounting up materials.

Get to know the basic principles of a CNC mill by doing exercises on the mini-machine, then re-creating them on the industrial machine.

Learn about:

• job origin
• work coordinates vs. job coordinates
• manual control (when it is needed)
• various types of bits

First Automation! - Week 2

Walk through the entire process of creating an automation intended for assembly. Use miniature modelling (a stool) to learn design principles for CNC production, as well as the basics of CAM.

• Intro to CAD/CAM
• Sketching for solids
• External Geometry
• Construction Geometry
• Profiles

Multi-body Modelling - Week 3

Learn more advanced techniques for creating designs with multiple interconnected parts. Optimize CAM operations for designs involving multiple pieces.

Project: Toolbox Pt 1.

• Shape Binders
• Pattern operations
• Arrays
• Multi-body CAM

Problem Solving - Week 4

Learn to design for, and correct problems commonly encountered in building for CNC.

Project: Toolbox Pt 2.

• Dressups
• Coordinating double-sided operations
• Edge-treatments and engraving
• Surfacing operations

Joints and Helper Objects - Week 5

Go in-depth on creating joints that can be produced on a CNC machine, and learn to use helper objects for solving tricky problems.

• Dovetail joints
• Keyed joints
• Scarf joints
• Mortise and Tenon joints
• Lap Joints

Final Project - Week 6

Use your multi-body modelling and CAM skills to create the final project - a tool organizer for the French Cleat Wall!

Successfully completing the final assignment unlocks 3 hour of machine time you can book for your own use.

• Planning a project
• Good tools to use
• When to fully constrain