This series of articles starts with the fundamentals and covers many aspects of CNC programming and machining. The series is not specific to one make or model of machine tool, but it does feature Mach3 and Vectric software throughout. Computer-aided Machining (CAM) software is used to turn the features of a finished design into a set of instructions for a CNC machine tool. Normally, this will involve working with information from a CAD program, but the same process can be carried out with a manually-created design, although this is neither as convenient nor as efficient, and anything other than the simplest of shapes is better dealt with by using CAD then CAM techniques. Because the CAD and CAM stages of the process are so closely linked, some programs combine both functions, and some of the software we will use in this series of articles will do just that.
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