CNC is a quite big topic, especially the CAD and CAM aspects. There are a lot of materials you can look at on the internet. For the Carvera machine, we will provide a detailed instruction manual and example guide for new users to get familiar with.
We are making step-by-step video tutorials on our YouTube channel.
By joining our discussion group on Facebook or Discord, you can meet thousands of Carvera owners and fans and get help and inspiration from each other.
Here is a useful CNC Beginner Playlist organized by our community member Craig Trader.
Just go through the instruction manual and follow the step-by-step example guide to finishing the initial projects, you could learn how to use the Carvera quite easily.
If you machine steel occasionally and don't care too much about the time, then the answer is Yes! With a relatively low speed, you can get carbon steel and stainless steel milled with a clean finish.
Here is a test video on YouTube, check it out: https://youtu.be/VTWt6elB6eg
The Carvera comes with a 1/8-inch collet and a bunch of free 1/8-inch milling bits. In our experience, 1/8-inch milling bits are the most common bits used for small desktop CNCs, and can handle almost all jobs.
But in case you are rough milling soft materials such as wood, foam, epoxy, etc, you can absolutely use bigger shaft diameter ones. We offer optional ¼in, 6mm, and 4mm spindle collets for your to purchase.
Note that to adapt our auto tool changer mechanism, you can not use bits with a head diameter bigger than ¼in. And the total length of the bits should be less than 3in/76mm.
If you are a seasoned CNC user and know exactly what kind of milling bits you need for your projects, then you can prepare your own. But if you are new to CNC, we suggest using the milling bits we provide for the example projects and other initial projects. Then get new ones based on your later needs.
The connector is a Pneumatic Straight Push-In Fitting, model PC 08, designed for an 8mm outer diameter tube.
Suggested pressure > 50 psi
Carvera supports mainstream CAM Software, and we are continuously adding new CAM software profiles based on our customers' needs. Here are some ones that we think are suitable for the Carvera machine and are easy to learn and use for different types of milling jobs.
Makera CAM: A powerful yet easy-to-use CAM software that supports 2DPCB and Laser paths. (3D/Rotary paths coming in the next phase)
Fusion 360: A cloud-based CAD/3D modeling, CAM, CAE, and PCB software platform for both product design and manufacturing. Compare to other industrial software, Fusion 360 is relatively easy to learn and is an all-in-one solution. If you are new to CAD and CAM, and you are interested in making mechanical/electronic/robot/drone parts or something like them, fusion 360 is a good option. It's free for students or startups with full functions, the personal version is free too but has some limitations.
VCarve Desktop: Gives you the power to produce complex 2D patterns with profile, pocket, drill, and inlay toolpaths, plus gives you the ability to create 3D and rotary relief by importing 3d model files. It can also do laser engraving with an add-on module. VCarve Desktop is suitable for woodworking, jewelry making, art making, etc.
Kiri:Moto: Free, open-source, browser-based application that bridges 3D design to fabrication with tools for CAM, 3D Printing, and Laser output. There is no software to install, and all data and processing happen privately and locally to the browser window. Import STL, OBJ, and 3MF files and output GCode or SVG. 3 and 4-axis CAM operations include: roughing, pocketing, contouring, tracing, and more. Preview and animate your jobs ahead of time to see what you will get before the milling begins.
You can get our official tutorials for the software on our YouTube channel.
We recommend Makera CAM, FlatCAM (free and open-source), or CopperCAM for PCB milling. Check the tutorial video here.