TAIG desk mill NOOB looking for guidance

[thoreaubakker]

hi all.

I'm part of a maker space, and we have a Taig desktop mill I'd love to use. It works, but rarely sees much action.

Thing is, I know next to nothing about milling (only a little about laser's and 3D printing from the user side).

We have Mach3 and I'm know there's a member who 'kinda' knows how to use it.

If anyone's used a desktop mill, and has any suggestions I'd be happy to search them out.

I'm thinking [model > cam (in Fusion360), then export g code to Mach3? Does that sound right?

-tb

[Anonymous]

You have the basic idea correct, however there are quite a few steps in each basic operation. I suggest you poke around the CNC Cookbook website as one place to start.

[Anonymous]

Note: Since you don't have any experience on the mill yet, I just wanted to point out that you can download Mach3 and play around with it on your desktop with no machine attached by just selecting the OFFLINE button.  It's not quite the same as being on the machine, but might help you feel a little more comfortable with the controls.

Dave

[thoreaubakker]

Gentlmen,

I was away from the forums and forgot to thank you.
I super appreciate the advice.

Thank you for taking the time.

-t.b.

[Anonymous]

I've been using a Taig for years, but I am new this week to Fusion360, so I dont have any specific output information to share yet.  However, I can tell you you a few things that may save you a lot of time with this mill.

Specifically for Aluminum:

-Use a misting system, with smaller tools and parts you also need consistent cooling and lubrication

-Taig is not as rigid as larger VMC's but you still need to keep your cut speed up, so you succeed by limiting you cut depth.

-Vibration is the enemy, make sure your part holding strategy limits vibration.  less cut depth = less vibration

-Prob need to use the Mach3 post in Fustion360 (have not tried it yet)

-First run of programs on the mill should be test run at a Z-depth far above your stock (use work offsets settings in Mach3 for this)  Just zero out your work offset Z safely above