There are multitudes of software options out there that can interface a PC to a CNC machine. MasterCAM and TurboCAM are popular, though expensive, options. Although they are full featured with G-code translators, I will recommend starting with the simpler but venerable option -- Mach3. It is a popular choice used by hobbyists to university research labs worldwide.
The graphical-user interface (GUI) of Mach3 is made to somewhat resemble a generic CNC machine's control terminal. Once the machine is selected, loading the G-code follows suit with loading a file in any program. After that it is a matter of having the right tool in place and the raw material clamped down. Of course, watch some tutorials on Mach's website.
Once the G-code is loaded, making sure the correct tool is loaded for each step in the program is the main concern. The other big concern is spraying the part and cutting tool with a coolant of some sort. Being an excellent machinist takes years of learning and practice, but enough to get started in a short amount of time can be picked up.
The Mach3 interface with G-code for a wolf shape loaded. Upper left shows the G-code for the current operation. Literally moving a tool from one exact location to another -- it’s not complicated at all.
Sending a part out to be machined at a shop is not the only option. Take on the job once in a while. Every engineer, at heart, wants to create, even at home. I recommend purchasing a handful of machines, if it's only a manual mill and lathe. The engineer will soon make it a project to CNC upgrade them. For those who do not want a project before their projects, procure a 3D printer.
Electrical design and simulation
Electrical design is not a mystical art form. It is similar to LEGOs, plug in the right components and the system will work, in theory. Software circuit design has advanced to a very high level of design, near drag-and-drop. Take National Instruments' (NI) Multisim. There is a model for almost every electrical component out there. Load in the parts, link them together, and create the circuit.
Designing in Multisim is like building in real life but under ideal conditions. I will admit, designing a circuit takes a bit more knowledge to start than drawing in CAD. I will start out by saying, if this comes up a lot on the job, studying up on electronics is a must. Get some books on electrical design and an electrical engineer's handbook and also watch video tutorials.
The "electrical wheel" has been invented many times and even in different ways. There is more than one way to switch for an LED, for example. A quick Internet search will show how many people handled certain problems. After someone's solution is searched, take the found circuit and reconstruct the model in Multisim. Then adjust the circuit to fit the job's requirements, if it doesn't. After a few of these “copy paste” circuits have been run through, building unique ones will be easy. The novice can now make circuits.
For the more learned designer, Multisim is a perfect way to rapidly test the circuit. I suggest that a circuit be designed over and over digitally, before ever attempting an actual build. Since Multisim can simulate the circuit's operation in any time scale, seeing how it is all operating is a breeze.
Some chip manufacturers have web-based design tools that can construct all manners of circuits. One to focus on, and is the life's blood of any design, is a power supply design tools. Take Texas Instruments' Webench Power Designer. Once on the page, enter what power is available at the source, the project requirements, and the designer will do the rest. Like any application in this category, Webench will output a circuit completely designed to meet the needs. Of course, this is ultimately designed to sell chips and make profit for whomever; it will solve the job's power demands near instantaneously. Once created, the power supply Spice model can be imported into Multisim. After adding this, a complete design is almost done without the need to design a circuit on one's own.
No matter vast size of learning materials on the Internet, I doubt people will take advantage of it. Most engineers I run across tend to learn only when absolutely necessary. So, unless forced, no one will learn. Which is where school comes into play. It forces students to take a "well rounded" curriculum. Where, as my post here suggest, learning just what you need to know is not an option. Few are disciplined enough to learn on their own.
Once you have the education, learning the software in this post will take you to another level.
Good point. I recently read an article entitled "Do We Need Teachers Anymore". The thesis was basically what you mentioned. With the Internet explosion, sources of information are readily available; even tutors that can and will aid efforts towards understanding the material. At one time the classroom was the only way to go because it was the only vehicle in play now, online education is so available it would be a real error for working engineers not to take advantage. I still think there are courses of study that require "being there" and interaction between peers is a valuable learning tool also, but half-life, maybe no longer appropriate.
Half-life isn't an measure anymore (only an award winning video game series). Many adept "engineers" I know do not even have a degree. They instead learn on their own. Like my post shows here, you can learn anything you want, rather quickly too.
The tech is there to hold your hand all the way through.
Relevancy all depends on the engineer's needs and ambitions, these days.
Great post Cabe. I remember years ago when I was a senior in Mechanical Engineering, my advisor indicated the half-life of an engineer was about five (5) years. This, of course, was based upon changing technology and not really the digital age. We had not entered that age as yet. I have absolutely no idea as to half-life now but it can't be much more than two or three years IF you wish to keep up. I just took an assignment on developing a vortex tube for a specific application. Had to go back to school on this one. As a consulting engineer, I find that to be the rule and not the exception. One of the very best vehicles for "keeping up" is Design News Daily. I find this web site to be extremely valuable for guys like us. Again, great post.
This isn't necessarily a guide, but a record of what I had to do to stay relevant in the ever evolving embedded engineering career world. It's for the generalist, more so. Most jobs I get, the company has only a vague idea of what they need. That need often changes at a drop of a hat, then I have to switch gears.
I sometimes wish I could just sit there and write highly complex Java programs all day. Be the master-level expert at something and go home. Instead I have to design a PCB.. then the enclosure for it.
Here is a breakdown of the programs I use, so you can get to those tutorials! -
I have used a slide rule for design work, and still can, except that the calculator does provide more exact figures, which are critical for verifying fits and clearances. I do sketch freehand but my sketches are ugly, but that is OK, the drafters assure me. Job security for them. Modeling is done using the cad program because of the tight clearances. The rest of the modelling, and the visualization, is ALL done inn my head. Good 3D rendering and very high resolution.
So not all engineers are dependant on the tools to make stuff happen. BUT the cad drawings certainly do look nicer. And the CAD system certainly makes it easier to pull off details for manufacturing to make.
FEA is all done by experienced estimates, while for CFD, it is all visualized. Much faster and not as accurate, except for sometimes.
A good article to give the broad outline of how computing has changed traditional design and machining.
The real problem is that there is such a multitude of software available that the process of evaluating and determining which best suits the purpose is daunting. There is also a very wide price range.
Does anyone know of any written work that compares a good variety of proprietry software and give opinions on them?
I cannot use a sliderule. I cannot draw a print by hand - surely not a 3d presentation. I understand blueprints were blue. I cannot optimize without a program. Lost without FEA, math by hand? Come on now! etc. etc.
Without the computer, software, internet, etc., this versatile engineer is obsolete.
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