Understanding Material Properties before Making the First Cut
The CNC machines we work with at the desktop level have limitations both in terms of how big a piece of raw material they can process and what the material itself can be made of. Every material has specific properties that require attention when being milled. These properties include hazards from cuttings/dust, viable milling speeds, and heat dissipation, among others.
By the end of this chapter, you will understand the following:
- The fundamental properties of certain materials to help inform the process of material selection in your projects
- How to tailor your cutting methods, settings, and preferences to your specific materials, machine and parts you are fabricating
You will also be able to select materials that are viable for your specific project (for example, a generic suggestion to use wood is not enough since you may need material that is light, or durable, or flexible). An important benefit...
