Beginner's and G Codes
Posted by
industrialhobbies
on 2004-03-12 06:11:10 UTC
The unfortunate truth of the matter is that's faster is a defined
function of the learning curve, which states that every time the
production doubles time halves down to the absolute minimum.
This in theory would be a 1 hour task the first time and 30 minutes
the second and 15minutes the fourth and 7.5 the eighth. This would
proceed until the procedure hit the absolute minimum time required.
Now lets say that learning a new CNC procedure takes 60 minutes, were
talking about really "LEARNING" it and understanding everything it
can do for the operation. There are about 100 total G and M codes
(plus macros), that gives us 6000 minutes or 100 hours just to go
through each code once and really understanding it. For the sake of
math we'll say that someone will have to do each code 5 times to
become familiar enough with its operation to include it in your
repartee of handy codes. That works out to 11,625 minutes or 194
hours. All of a sudden this is sounding like a job.
Now lets take the hobbyist who gets 5 machining hours a week maybe 10
is he's lucky. At best he'll be familiar with the codes in about 20
weeks and hoping he doesn't forget anything he'll be ready to "do it
right".
On the other hand, let him learn G00, G01, G02, G03, G83, G90, G91
and we can be machining in a weekend, and have a solid understanding
of what's going on in most CAM generated code. In a month he'll be
making some pretty cool stuff, and in three months he'll be the envy
of his machining friends. He will more than likely "pick up" a new
code or two per month and he'll make the code smoother and the
machining will be improved but if not it's OK. As long as he's
happy, that's all that matters.
Lastly, CNC makes "most" operations faster for most people, but I'll
bet a retired machinist from Boeing or NASA can "out machine" any CNC
rig we discuss in this forum. We are "Masters of the G Code" mere
computer jockeys with a mill instead of a printer. As simple a good
graphics program can make me Picasso. They, the true machinists, are
Picasso, with metal as canvas and cutter as brush they are the few
who are truly "Master Machinists".
So, if someone wants to "Spin the Wheels" please do so, I recommend
they remove the spinner and lighten the wheel and to minimize the
risk and the rotational inertia. And if they have a nostalgic moment
and think back to what it was like 50 years ago all the better.
The point of using CNC solely or CNC and hand wheels together is moot.
Thanks
Aaron Moss
www.IndustrialHobbies.com
PS. Unrealized by me this topic was banned before I wrote this, and
the list mom requested that repost under this heading. I am not
attempting to flog the subject or to circumvent list rules. So out
of respect to the principals of the list do not turn this into a
hand wheels issue.
function of the learning curve, which states that every time the
production doubles time halves down to the absolute minimum.
This in theory would be a 1 hour task the first time and 30 minutes
the second and 15minutes the fourth and 7.5 the eighth. This would
proceed until the procedure hit the absolute minimum time required.
Now lets say that learning a new CNC procedure takes 60 minutes, were
talking about really "LEARNING" it and understanding everything it
can do for the operation. There are about 100 total G and M codes
(plus macros), that gives us 6000 minutes or 100 hours just to go
through each code once and really understanding it. For the sake of
math we'll say that someone will have to do each code 5 times to
become familiar enough with its operation to include it in your
repartee of handy codes. That works out to 11,625 minutes or 194
hours. All of a sudden this is sounding like a job.
Now lets take the hobbyist who gets 5 machining hours a week maybe 10
is he's lucky. At best he'll be familiar with the codes in about 20
weeks and hoping he doesn't forget anything he'll be ready to "do it
right".
On the other hand, let him learn G00, G01, G02, G03, G83, G90, G91
and we can be machining in a weekend, and have a solid understanding
of what's going on in most CAM generated code. In a month he'll be
making some pretty cool stuff, and in three months he'll be the envy
of his machining friends. He will more than likely "pick up" a new
code or two per month and he'll make the code smoother and the
machining will be improved but if not it's OK. As long as he's
happy, that's all that matters.
Lastly, CNC makes "most" operations faster for most people, but I'll
bet a retired machinist from Boeing or NASA can "out machine" any CNC
rig we discuss in this forum. We are "Masters of the G Code" mere
computer jockeys with a mill instead of a printer. As simple a good
graphics program can make me Picasso. They, the true machinists, are
Picasso, with metal as canvas and cutter as brush they are the few
who are truly "Master Machinists".
So, if someone wants to "Spin the Wheels" please do so, I recommend
they remove the spinner and lighten the wheel and to minimize the
risk and the rotational inertia. And if they have a nostalgic moment
and think back to what it was like 50 years ago all the better.
The point of using CNC solely or CNC and hand wheels together is moot.
Thanks
Aaron Moss
www.IndustrialHobbies.com
PS. Unrealized by me this topic was banned before I wrote this, and
the list mom requested that repost under this heading. I am not
attempting to flog the subject or to circumvent list rules. So out
of respect to the principals of the list do not turn this into a
hand wheels issue.