Lake Monger Community Shed

Digital Machinery Resources

Software

There are various software packages that can be used depending on your experience and time commitments.

Please refer to our Session Times for when Digital Machinery sessions are running. It's recommended that you bring your own laptop and a thumb drive (USB stick).

Beginners

SketchUp - easy to use has a free browser-based version. This is a good place to start for creating your own models that you'd like to 3D Print.
V-Carve - available for use on the LMCS computers, is relatively easy to learn and quick to use however it is limited to cutting of the two dimensional plane. This software is better suited to the CNC machine.

Non-Beginners

Fusion 360 - can be downloaded on your own computer and used for free (with limitations) or under an education license. F360 is powerful, however for those not used to working with software it can be daunting. There are plenty of good YouTube videos to help you learn.
Solidworks - is a favourite of some LMCS members however there is a cost to using it.

Slicing

Ultimaker Cura - available for use on the LMCS computers and can be downloaded and used for free at home. Cura is for "slicing" your exported models files (e.g. STLs) to generate the g-code needed for the 3D printers.

Documentation

Feeds and Speeds Calculator

Here is a simple script that can help you determine your feeds and speeds for the CNC machine.

Notes:

Values are for wood only.

Spindle Speed in rpm.
Feed Rate in mm/min.
Chip Load and Feed Rates are given as min and max.
Bit diameters: 2/3/4/3/4/5/6/8/10/12/16/20/25.