Contenidos
If we speak of digital fabrication and CNC (numerical control) machines we must begin with its language, the G-Code, is a standard by which our machines understand what to do. The G-code or programming G indicates the movement to be performed. All the machines have at least one part mobile, as this is the part where acts our program in G-Code, you says to where should go and how fast do it. When we work with software in 3D and then want this project to be printed or milling, is made a conversion to G-Code that gives us life.
Lathe
Lathe is a machine that allows us to create pieces in revolution, basically placed the material in a (usually electric) motor and this spinning it with a few revolutions that are chosen by the operator, then a piece of cut, which tends to be TCT saw blade for metal machining, is going to approaching and moving away from the machined part. This movement was formerly manual and Turners held machining of parts using a few levers moving this piece. Today, although the manual work has not disappeared, CNC lathes, used i.e. programmed with G code. The lathe is very useful to create threads in parts, also for car crankshaft or gears.
Drill, strawberry and boring
Surely all the world has used a drill of hand for hang a picture, as are before it same, but in this case are drills fixed and is used to make holes in a piece, basically consists in motor located in a foot and that with elements of precision you say where should perform them holes and with that diameter of bit (element of drilling). Its mission is only that, make holes.
The milling machine is similar to the drill, consists in a part that rotates and devastates the material by them places where you indicate. The cutting element is called strawberry, it allows us to create almost any type of figure. There are great amount of types of milling machines according to its use (metal or wood), them movements that performs (3, 4, 5 axis) or its position.
The last of this group of machines is the boring, basically is a drill that creates cubic holes, formerly used mandrels which rotate generated a square shape hole.
Machining center
Joining the drill, strawberry and boring into one have the machining center CNC, with this machine, can perform the operations of milling and drill. A rotary cutting that moves in the three axes of space is a motion about a piece that can be wood, plastic or metal, eroded material and generating chip. Adiccionalmente if we add a fourth axis, which would be the rotation of the material itself would also make the function of winch. So we can have a machine that makes all of the above.
Cutting laser and plasma
Cutting laser and plasma are similar, only that the former is used for wood, cardboard, plastic and the second for metals. It allows us to create prints and cut pieces. Basically operates 2D another element to control is the power of the laser for a total or partial cut or to make more or less strong prints.
Laser cutting
Plasma cutting
3D printers
3D printers are the next big thing in prototyping there are a variety of them and are on the increase, the difference between the above views machines and a printer is simple, while other «carved» material for shaping the printer adds material points following coordinates and forming the figure. Increasingly there are more materials that are used in 3D printing, the most famous are plastic (ABS or PLA), we have resin, metal and even food (chocolate). One of the great potential of these machines are possible printers flawless for transplantation and stem cell that can create a fully compatible heart.