All files for this project are attached in a zip file at the link below. These files include: All inventor part files: tweak to your heart’s content DWG Files to check tolerances STL  files for a 3D Printer Laser files for the cover & Sign Various pictures to help with assembly USB LED Sign Project CnJ […]

Question: What are the speeds and feeds that you use in your classroom while CNC machining? Answer: That’s really a loaded question!  It depends on a lot of different variables. With that said, below is a list of speeds, feeds, plunge rates, and general info I use when machining Renshape 440 or 450 in my […]

Question: What speeds and feeds do I use on wax or Renshape in my classroom? (spindle speeds in the attached picture  are higher because they are for a machine with a 10K spindle!) Want to buy Renshape?  Get it here: Freeman Supply I use the 450 because it is cheaper! Solution: Great question!  The short answer: […]

QUESTION: Does it matter how many teeth or flutes my end mills have? ANSWER: Actually it does. A good rule of thumb for the beginner: the harder the material, the more teeth!  What’s the difference between teeth and flutes? Teeth do the cutting, flutes bring the cut material away from the part. The excerpt from […]

Question: I know nothing about tools for CNC machines.  What kind are there, and what can I use them for? Answer: There is so much to learn about tooling when it comes to CNC machines, that it can really be overwhelming. Here we present just the basics as it pertains to a “rookies” classroom. There […]

There is so much to learn about tooling when it comes to cnc machining equipment, that it can really be overwhelming. Here we present just the basics as it pertains to a “rookies” classroom. There are complete courses on these topics, but this should get you started First of all, We have put together a […]

Below are the best of the best in our EdgeCAM video series. This will be the last version of these, as both Jim and I have gone exclusively to HSM in the classroom. These videos are wildly popular on our Youtube channel, and I am sure they will be for a loooong time to come…. […]

QUESTION: What is Stepover? ANSWER: Stepover is defined as the the space between passes of a tool during an operation. The HSM default is 95%, making a very smooth finish on a surface with a ball end mill, but it will sacrafice machine time. In other words, it’ll take forever!  You can change it to 1/2 […]

QUESTION: What is Depth of Cut? How deep can I cut on a single pass? ANSWER: Great question! a good rule of thumb is the depth of cut shouldn’t be greater than 1/2 the diameter of the tool; especially on smaller machines.  Any more than this and you risk messing up the bearings in your […]