Mastering Digitally Controlled Machines: Laser Cutters, 3D Printers, CNC Mills, and Vinyl Cutters to Make Almost Anything (Maker Innovations Series)

Take control of your machine building and production processes with computer-run tools to safely use, or even build, a durable machine for use in your garage or even a startup company. This book provides best practices for laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC mills, vinyl cutters, and more. You'll begin by learning the history of digitally controlled tools, as well as how they work and what materials you can use with them. With this knowledge, you won’t just learn how to make common machines work, you’ll go to the next level and build your own machine―whether that be a plasma cutter or a CNC milling machine. You will learn how they use these tools to create amazing products, art, and even new machines! You’ll also find handy overviews of tools, software, and materials to use in a reference appendix. After reading Mastering Digitally Controlled Machines you’ll be able to create something for yourself, your community, or your company. What You'll LearnUse accessible computer-controlled machines safely to make anything you want to buildFit the right tool and materials with the right projectsBuild your own CNC machine custom tailored to your project’s needs Who This Book Is For People who want to understand how accessible computer-controlled tools work and build any kind of product themselves. Makerspaces, Fab Labs, and similar spaces will benefit. And people who want to create prototypes and products for themselves or their company/ startup, or to start creating prototypes without much prior knowledge. Table of Contents About the Authors About the Technical Reviewer About This Book Introduction Chapter 1: Computer-Aided Design Introduction History Some Basic Concepts and Notions Parametric Design File Formats Open Source, Free, and Commercial Software Open Source GIMP Inkscape Blender FreeCAD OpenSCAD Free Software Commercial Software So Get Creative! Chapter 2: Laser Cutters History How They Function Accessories Filters Air Assist Cutting Beds Types of Lasers Materials Running the Machine Designing Objects Sending Files to the Machine Finding the Right Settings Never, Ever, Launch a Long Job Without a Test Maintenance Cleaning Your Optics and Encoders Alignment of Mirrors and Lens Placement, Power Safety Applications of Laser Cutters What Are the Professionals Making? What Can YOU Make? Snap-Fit, Just Assemble, and Go! Folding Wood and Plastics, Snijlab, and Hasso Plattner Stacking Layers Engraving and Decoration Printed Circuit Boards Making More Machines So Get Creative! Summary Chapter 3: Vinyl Cutting History How They Work Types Materials Software: How to Run the Machine Settings Weeding Finishing Your Product Safety and Maintenance Safety Maintenance Applications Multicolored, Complex Designs Wrapping Stencils, Sandblasting Multilayered Circuits Screenprinting (Silk Screen) Summary Chapter 4: CNC Milling History How They Work Types Materials Wood and Derived Materials Plastics and Composites Tougher Stuff Aluminum Tooling Different Kinds of Cutters and Tools Software: Running the Machine Toolpath Generation Milling Parameters 2D Milling 3D Milling Toolpath Simulation Setting Up and Running Safety and Maintenance Tools Spinning at High Speed Can Shatter or Start a Fire! Keeping Your Machine in Good Shape Applications Small but Precise Big and Powerful Furniture Houses and Shelters Beehives Boats Skates and Skis Guitars and Other Stringed Instruments Summary Chapter 5: 3D Printers Introduction History How They Work Material Extrusion Photopolymerization Material Jetting Binder Jetting Powder Bed Fusion Direct Energy Deposition Sheet Lamination Materials Software: Running the Machine Safety Maintenance Applications Usage in Industry and Commercial Applications Bioprinting What You Can Make Master Yoda, or “Test Print Realize This, You Must” Another Machine, or Machines Making Machines Molds Printing with Food Metal Casting Hold: Hooks and Holders Timekeeping with Shadows and Lights Helping Hands Summary Chapter 6: Other Machines Plasma Cutting Waterjet Cutting Electric Discharge Machining CNC Lathes Hot-Wire Cutter Robotic Arms Sewing Machines Embroidery Machines Summary Chapter 7: Design Approaches Where to Start? Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Inside-Out Outside-In Focused Reproducibility Technical Details and Parts Guidelines Base Materials Plastics Metals Aluminum Steel Brass and Copper Aluminum Composite How to Select Base Materials for Your Machine Mechanical Parts Static Fasteners Bolts Nuts and Spacers Washers How to Select the Fasteners for Your Machine Profiles How to Select the Aluminum Profiles for Your Machine Dynamic Parts Bearings Bushings Ball Bearings Deep Groove Ball Bearings Angular Contact Bearings Thrust Bearings Roller Bearings How to Select Bearings for Your Machine Bearing Housings How to Select Bearing Housings for Your Machine Linear Guides Dovetail Shafts Roller Guides Rails Self-Made How to Choose Linear Guides for Your Machine Actuators Toothed Belts and Pulleys Rack and Pinion Lead Screws and Ball Screws How to Choose the Actuator for Your Machine Electrics, Electronics, and Software Cables Power Supplies Controllers Motors and Motor Drivers Sensors How to Choose the Electronics for Your Machine Chapter 8: Safety and Space Setup Layout Electrical Waste Disposal Air Handling Floor Types/Load Fire? What to Do? Insurance Labeling/Signs PPE Chapter 9: Where to Go from Here Developing Ideas, Projects, and Business Resources and Discussion What’s Next Correction to: Where to Go from Here Annexes 1 - Machine capabilities 2 - Software 3 - File formats 4 - Materials for laser cutting 3D printer materials Index Take control of your machine building and production processes with computer-run tools to safely build a durable machine for use in your garage or even a startup company. This book provides best practices for laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC mills, vinyl cutters, and more. You'll begin by learning the history of digitally controlled tools, as well as how they work and what materials you can use with them. With this knowledge, you wont just learn how to make common machines work, youll go to the next level and build your own machinewhether that be a plasma cutter or a CNC milling machine. Between chapters, a profile of an inspiring maker will show you how they use these tools to create amazing products, art, and even new machines! Youll also find handy overviews of tools, software, and materials to use in a reference appendix. After reading Mastering Digitally Controlled Machines youll be able to create something for yourself, your community, or your company. What You'll Learn Who This Book Is For People who want to understand how accessible computer-controlled tools work and build any kind of product themselves. Makerspaces, Fab Labs, and similar spaces will benefit. And people who want to create prototypes and products for themselves or their company/ startup, or to start creating prototypes without much prior knowledge.