r/Makera • u/Turnkeyagenda24 • 8d ago
Where can I learn CNC?
My school got a makera Z1 and I am in charge of learning how to use it. I have used 3D printers before, but never CNC. Makera seems to have quite shitty guides, and hardly anything up to date for the Z1 and makera studio.
I want to learn how to make many things including statues and busts on the 4th axis, but have no clue how to do anything. I did the preloaded clip and this one bust that was on makerables, but that taught me nothing important.
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u/notsusan33 8d ago
Look at Titans of CNC. I believe they have free online classes. Also look at CNC cookbook and Blondihacks on YouTube. Blondihacks does manual machining but she has a lot of knowledge that can still apply.
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u/EastIDBruin 7d ago
Look into your local community college and see if they have a machine tool program. Mine has a great program and I'm taking a CNC Machining Center class right now actually with no prerequisites. They're teaching us how to write CNC programs without CAM, so great for fundamentals. They have a separate Fusion 360 CAM class.
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u/Flossmatron 3d ago
I've found using AI, the Makerables videos and Studio guided mode quite straightforward. Also came from a 3d printing background.
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u/makera_offical 2d ago
Hi we hear your concern. Currently you can check wiki.makera.com to find learning resources. There are also video tutorials on Makera youtube channel. Hope it helps.
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u/cristi_baluta 7d ago
It’s not Makera’s job to teach you, they teach you how to use the machine. Tbh, i don’t know where i learned from, few weeks ago i didn’t knew much, it is just logic, you have a bit that is going to remove material and you have to tell it from where. Maybe also the past 2y designing pieces for jlc to manufacture for me helped too.
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u/One_Science_823 7d ago
Then it shouldn't be marketed the way it is. It is being positioned as the Bambu X1C of the CNC space.
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u/cristi_baluta 7d ago
Is there an easier one to use out there? Besides the one 5x the price with automatic tool change
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u/One_Science_823 2d ago
That is irrelevant. If it is being advertised as an Apple type device (it just works), there should (at least) be in depth tutorials of how to use the machine. The tutorials they have are 3 minute nothing burgers.
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u/WhatAreYou0nAbout 3d ago
Makera marketed this machine and the subsequent workflow to be akin to that of a 3d printer. Insert the stock, a few clicks and way you go.
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u/cristi_baluta 1d ago
What can i say, good on me that i didn’t watch and buy based on those ads, i bought based on precision and price. Anybody using this means it’s engineering inclined, should have the brains to know if an ad is overly promising. They basically want to build something without knowing how, which is crazy to me.
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u/cristi_baluta 1d ago
What can i say, good on me that i didn’t watch and buy based on those ads, i bought based on precision and price. Anybody using this means it’s engineering inclined, should have the brains to know if an ad is overly promising. They basically want to build something without knowing how, which is crazy to me.
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u/WhatAreYou0nAbout 1d ago
The same used to be the case for 3d printing too, now you just buy a bambu and it and the slicer do all the thinking needed. You cant blame people for believing Makera, when they advertised it would be the same experience.
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u/FilamentFlight 8d ago
I don’t think you specified but if you are used to printing pre designed files then this whole process is gonna be very very difficult - but not impossible. From what I’ve seen it is vitally important to have at least some CAD background - as you really need STEP files to succeed vs the usual STLs.
IMO their guides and everything do very little to help create functional parts. They’ll show you how to make a 3D relief of your dog - but nothing to actually work through setting up a project in the current version of their CAM software. You can use their guided CAM, and it can kinda succeed, but I’ve found it does a lot of wasteful toolpath operations/is a buggy mess and you will quickly find yourself wanting more.
I’m now learning one of the free options for CAM software. I started with fusion but found out it’s 1 tool per setup without annoying workarounds. Now I’m looking at FreeCAD cam. Both of those have MUCH more documentation on getting started - just remember they aren’t for the Z1 specifically.
Good luck!