CAM Project

Nicolas Knauer
Computer Integrated Manufacturing

5/31/16

Overview:
The purpose of this project was to familiarize myself with CAM software and use it to
write G-Code that will be used to machine a block of ren into a jewelry box. The process
took a couple of weeks because I only had one hour periods to use the CNC Mill and also
had to wait for two other students to do their projects. This project taught me enough
about CAM and CNC milling that I feel as if I would be able to do it in a professional
setting.

Materials List:
CNC Mill
CAM Software
CAD Software
Ren

Procedure:
I started the project with a 3x2x2
block of material. The first step was
to generate the code for all of the
machining operations I would be
doing. I did four CNC milling
operations on the Ren block to end up
with the jewelry box. The first
operation involved milling the pocket
where the jewelry would go, and the
lip around the top so that the lid
would fit on top. After this I turned
the block over and machined out the
pocket that would end up becoming the lid, It was done this way so I could just cut the
block and end up with the top and bottom of the jewelry box. After I had separated the lid
I machined out the top of the box with a wavy design, this was just for show and served
no functional purpose. The block was finished but the lid didnt fit on exactly how I

wanted to, I believe it had moved around inside the clamp during machining so I sanded
it down until it slid on the block without difficulties but didnt just fall off. I tried putting
a design on the lid of the block but
ended up ruining part of it, I was
supposed to be tracing out the design
and it worked for a small portion of it,
and then went through a part of the
block. I believe this is because of the
curvy nature of the lid, the code went
from point A to point B and the raised
portion was in the way. Due to time
constraints I was unable to correct it,
and am left with a gouge in the
jewelry box.

Concepts Covered:
The concepts covered in this project
include but are not limited to CNC
Milling, Coordinate systems, CAM
Software, and tolerances. CNC
milling seems pretty complicated at
first, but due to CAM software it is
actually much easier than I had first
assumed. There is little to no time
spent actually writing or looking at
the G-Code. Double checking
tolerances and understanding what
purpose they serve is pretty important when it comes to CNC milling. For this project I
wanted to allow the lid to slid on perfectly, and made the pocket of the lid 0.05 larger
than the lip on the bottom. This was not a high enough tolerance and caused me to have
to sand it down for it to fit nicely.

Summary:
This project taught me a lot about modern manufacturing and processes used to machine
goods. It feels as if it is something I would be capable of managing now when before I
had very little knowledge about it. CNC is a revolutionary technology for manufacturing
and makes nearly everything more accurate, efficient, and consistent. I would say the
project itself was fairly simple and created a great way for me to become more familiar
with CAM and CNC in general. This was the most valuable project of the class for me,
and I now feel like I understand the process of creating a product from start to finish. It is
a very great example that shows just how important computer integrated manufacturing is
and what it can do to advance society as a whole.