When I first started machining, CNC machines were just coming into mainstream use. The first few shops I worked in had only conventional machines. It wasn't until the mid 1980's I started to notice the incredible versatility of CNC machines. The contouring and shapes the machines could generate made many jobs much easier. The use of templates to file and sweep in surfaces was rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

Initially, I was intimidated by the technology and couldn't imagine how a person could machine parts simply by pushing buttons on a control panel. The mysterious code that ran the machines seemed to be the domain of computer people and was seemingly beyond my comprehension. It wasn't until later when I took a class in programming that the mysteries started quickly dissolving. Taking a class in programming is a great way to get started in CNC machining.

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The following are some suggestions that may help you with your CNC machining projects. …