Three day course in CNC Routing and Milling

Description

CNC Routing and digital design and manufacturing are fast becoming the norm in many kinds of production including furniture. It can be used not only for high volume production but also for highly complex and individual pieces. Using a range of free and open-source software programs you will learn how to create designs, generate toolpaths, set up the CNC router, and run a routing operation on a full-size machine. This short course will teach you the basics of the cnc routing process, allowing you to develop your skills in your own time, and to return at a later date to cut your own work on our router. The price includes plywood for your own project

We will start by getting to know the software, and hardware we will be using, and looking at some of the joining techniques available. You will learn how to design work in LibreCAD, a free and open source CAD program by drawing up a plywood stool. Then you will work on a design of your own and prototype it using the laser cutter. Once the designs have been finalized we will look at machining strategies, and generate the tool paths using Sheetcam. You will then learn how to fix the plywood down to the table, fit the correct cutter, home the machine and run the program. Finally, you will assemble your project, and take it home.

There are no formal entry requirements but you should have some basic computer and mouse skills. You may want to download and get to know LibreCad and SheetCam , but it is not essential.