It's time! After contemplating your project in your mind, it's time to turn it into reality with the CNC machine you've just bought.
How difficult can it be? After all, CNC stands for computer numerical control and you already know so much about computers.
It's at this precise moment that some people are brought back to harsh reality: managing the CAD (computer-aided design), CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) and machining aspects of a CNC milling machine is not always as easy as it seems... and mistakes can be costly.
So how do you get started without breaking your head, your piggy bank or your end-mills? Here are different options.
If you're a self-taught machinist and you think making your own mistakes is the best way to learn, you've come to the right place. On the web, there's no shortage of resources when it comes to learning how to use a CNC machine.
However, it's important to choose your information sources carefully and find explanations that suit your specific situation, which can sometimes prove tedious.
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As a company founded on an open source philosophy, Mekanika has a duty to make CNC milling as accessible as possible.
For this reason, our team has developed a wide range of didactic materials for both beginners and more experienced users.
If you're looking for a structured, step-by-step introduction to the various aspects of CNC milling for beginners, Roldan offers a free 9-day e-mail course.
At the rate of one e-mail per day, you'll have the opportunity to take a general overview of the major steps involved in designing a part, from its drawing to its machining on the machine.
Click here to receive your free 9 days email training
Do you prefer to watch a video? No problem!
In a serie of videos, Martin takes you through the process of transforming your original design into a 3D object, then into G-Code and finally into a real part.
Here's the first video in the serie:
And you can find the whole playlist with all of our tips here
Some topics need to be read (and reread) with a clear head.
You can therefore find in-depth information on various topics related to CNC milling directly on our blog, including an article on how to choose the best CNC machine for you.
This is obviously the most conventional and reassuring educational technique for taking action, but it also has a number of disadvantages, not least the price.
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Some third-party venues and FAB Labs offer low-cost introductory sessions for beginners.
Although online training for an activity as “physical” as CNC milling may seem counter-intuitive at first, it's actually a good compromise for being guided effectively in your first steps while being able to ask your own questions.
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Since 2024, Mekanika has been offering online training courses to introduce you effectively to the basics of CAD, CAM and the use of a CNC machine.
In just 4 half-days, you'll be able to cover all the major steps involved in creating a part, so you can start your first project with confidence and efficiency.
As you might have noticed by now, taking a training course is absolutely not mandatory to start your journey into the CNC world.
However, we consider it the perfect way to kickstart your project if you are in a hurry to get busy milling as it will help you avoid most traps beginners might fall into and get the confidence you need to go forward.
Mekanika is a Belgian company based in Brussels whose ambition is to make local production more accessible thanks to a 100% open-source approach.
We design and produce high quality machines for CNC milling and screen printing, which have been recognized for their reliability and ease of use. Our tools are delivered as kits and fully documented, allowing to easily adapt them to specific needs.
Visit our shop to find out more, or check out our online resources and tutorials to continue learning.
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