where to get started.

I will send you a link a tomorrow. I've found many new folks really fall in love with the programming side of things, and why not? It's pretty damn cool, whether someone is programming line by line in a text editor, or importing solid models into CAM software to generate the code. The technology is awesome. I know it's kind of been pounded out here already, but I don't want you to get frustrated later on. Memorizing
code or negotiating your way through CAM to generate the code is good, but it is not the same as knowing how to make a part. Not assuming you are not smart, there is just so many other factors to machining. Like, all of them
ie: What size is my stock, how should I hold it, how do I make this part, how many ops should this be, what dimensions have tight relationships to eachother, what controlled surfaces should I locate off of, do I need to make a jig/fixture/softjaws, who the fuck made this shitty ass drawing and how do interpret all of these flags? Projected tolerance zone?

And that is before getting into cutting. Feed, speed, chipload, depth of cut, climb/conventional, stepover, flutes, cut or roll tap, spiral flute, plug bottoming, thread class, threadmill?

I am by no means trying to dissuade you. Actually I'm glad you are interested, as this has become less common. You may want to look into machining basics before tackling programming. Some shops are different about who they hire. At my shop I would hire an experienced manual machinist to train on an NC before a programmer who has not made a part. That is just me though, so take it with a grain of salt. I will post those pdf's tommorow, and I think you might get more out of them than just G and M codes. Nice to see new people take an interest and apply themselves. Cheers

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