Update four, Computerized Numerical Control.
It is the one thing I have always wanted to do, but at the same time could never justify what it would cost. There were no hobbyist units when I did my last serious mod, and they were hundreds if not thousands of pounds.
It wasn't just the cost putting me off either. It was learning something I have absolutely bloody no idea how to do - 3D.
I tried to pick up Fusion and other 3D apps but the knowledge of entry is extremely steep. I never grew up in that world, and my days of spending 20+ hours sat in front of a PC are over. I just can't do it.
What I do know is Photoshop. Like, every dark deep nook and cranny. As such this has always kept me away from 3D apps and learning them.
Couple with that I have a lot of experience and knowledge in creating X and Y code, because I used to partake in a hobby that required a lot of it. So I already understand the axis part very well. Thus, I decided to spend a lot of time trying to find what was right for me. I have now found it.
The CNC I am most interested in is also the most afforable. This one.
Now most would balk at that. "It's too small, the motor is slow and weak" and etc. And TBH? they would have a point, if thinking big. I tend not to, and like to buy items based on use case and what I require. Same as the software side I guess. So I have now spent a week studying them, and the pros and cons, and what software is available. And today? I found the killer combo.
Oddly enough I stumbled upon it whilst watching a video with 0 relation. The software side of things was still concerning me greatly. I did not want to have to learn how to reinvent a wheel I spent 20 years creating (IE my knowledge of Photoshop). As such? until last night I was still terrified. Then last night I watched a video about a guy making motherboard boxes with slide out trays out of wood (with a laser). I mean, I guess it was somewhat related, but the chord was struck when he pointed out -
"Sorry, no Gcode for these because I drew them as PNG in Photoshop".
Eh? come again?
The software I had decided to use is called Easel. So today I installed it and hoped it would just open a PNG I had created in Photoshop. It doesn't. **** !. However, I then realised that it did open SVG files. As such I drew a quick knockup in PS, then opened it in Illustrator (which I really don't know how to use I just know how to convert into vector with it) and...
BANG.
Disclaimer. Before you go into a rant about how it is crap, rubbish, etc. Bear this in mind. About ten years ago I bought THE CHEAPEST plotter for cutting vinyl on the market. I am still hammering it to this day.
I do not want it to do anything more than I have planned for it. Meaning, I want to cut out PSU mounting holes, IO holes, and holes for a GPU back plate. I also want to cut fan grille designs into acrylic. I will be using convection to cool the second box, which will be almost passive. This means that even if I were to use 140mm fans? this machine can do it. I am not bothered about speed, etc.
Everything I ever use it for will be acrylic. So yes, I know I will need a spoil board. I will make that myself. Good way to test it without wasting plastic.
Oh and I forgot. I will not be using this machine to cut the panels. They are too large. I am quite good at cutting straight lines into acrylic any way, and have the tools to do so. What I hated about using my hands was that you could never cut inner cuts straight, due to the way you need to angle the cutting bit in the Dremel to cut through the material. That is where this comes in !
It is the one thing I have always wanted to do, but at the same time could never justify what it would cost. There were no hobbyist units when I did my last serious mod, and they were hundreds if not thousands of pounds.
It wasn't just the cost putting me off either. It was learning something I have absolutely bloody no idea how to do - 3D.
I tried to pick up Fusion and other 3D apps but the knowledge of entry is extremely steep. I never grew up in that world, and my days of spending 20+ hours sat in front of a PC are over. I just can't do it.
What I do know is Photoshop. Like, every dark deep nook and cranny. As such this has always kept me away from 3D apps and learning them.
Couple with that I have a lot of experience and knowledge in creating X and Y code, because I used to partake in a hobby that required a lot of it. So I already understand the axis part very well. Thus, I decided to spend a lot of time trying to find what was right for me. I have now found it.
The CNC I am most interested in is also the most afforable. This one.
Now most would balk at that. "It's too small, the motor is slow and weak" and etc. And TBH? they would have a point, if thinking big. I tend not to, and like to buy items based on use case and what I require. Same as the software side I guess. So I have now spent a week studying them, and the pros and cons, and what software is available. And today? I found the killer combo.
Oddly enough I stumbled upon it whilst watching a video with 0 relation. The software side of things was still concerning me greatly. I did not want to have to learn how to reinvent a wheel I spent 20 years creating (IE my knowledge of Photoshop). As such? until last night I was still terrified. Then last night I watched a video about a guy making motherboard boxes with slide out trays out of wood (with a laser). I mean, I guess it was somewhat related, but the chord was struck when he pointed out -
"Sorry, no Gcode for these because I drew them as PNG in Photoshop".
Eh? come again?
The software I had decided to use is called Easel. So today I installed it and hoped it would just open a PNG I had created in Photoshop. It doesn't. **** !. However, I then realised that it did open SVG files. As such I drew a quick knockup in PS, then opened it in Illustrator (which I really don't know how to use I just know how to convert into vector with it) and...
BANG.
Disclaimer. Before you go into a rant about how it is crap, rubbish, etc. Bear this in mind. About ten years ago I bought THE CHEAPEST plotter for cutting vinyl on the market. I am still hammering it to this day.
I do not want it to do anything more than I have planned for it. Meaning, I want to cut out PSU mounting holes, IO holes, and holes for a GPU back plate. I also want to cut fan grille designs into acrylic. I will be using convection to cool the second box, which will be almost passive. This means that even if I were to use 140mm fans? this machine can do it. I am not bothered about speed, etc.
Everything I ever use it for will be acrylic. So yes, I know I will need a spoil board. I will make that myself. Good way to test it without wasting plastic.
Oh and I forgot. I will not be using this machine to cut the panels. They are too large. I am quite good at cutting straight lines into acrylic any way, and have the tools to do so. What I hated about using my hands was that you could never cut inner cuts straight, due to the way you need to angle the cutting bit in the Dremel to cut through the material. That is where this comes in !
)
