Is CNC easy as ABC?
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.
In this article:
1) Learn CNC milling with free resources
2) CNC milling training at a dedicated center
3) Take CNC milling training online
1) Learn CNC milling with free resources (tutorials, guides, videos...)
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.
(+) Benefits
- Free of charge
- Plenty of media available
(-) Limitations
- Requires more time and energy
- No adaptation of learning pace
- Less direct questions
- Not always 100% adapted to your specific case
- No guided practice on the machine
Learn the basics of CNC milling on your own with Mekanika
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.
CNC learning path by e-mail
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.
Register for free 9 days email course
Video tutorials : CNC milling for beginners
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
Blog articles about CNC topics
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.
2) CNC milling training at a dedicated education center
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.
(+) Advantages
- Direct contact with the trainer
- On-site practice
(-) Limitations
- Considerable cost
- Potentially large classes
- Limited availability and flexibility
- Obligatory on-site visits
- Practical aspects reduced to essentials in some courses
Note: Some third-party venues and FAB Labs offer low-cost introductory sessions for beginners.
3) Take CNC milling training online
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.
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.
(+) Benefits
- Direct contact with the trainer
- Affordable price
- Small classes (no more than 7 people)
- Regular sessions that can be adapted to suit demand
- A syllabus in paper format is provided
(-) Limitations
- Practical aspects reduced to essentials in some courses
- No accompanied hands-on practice directly on the machine
Closing word of advice
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.