Rizler+

Thought I don't smoke, I do find Rizler papers the best for machine/tool setting on Lathes, Millers & in this case CNC Routers. This machine works using Computer Aided Design software and operates on the same princaple as a Miller (the tool moves horizontally across the X & Y axis and vertically, yes you've guessed it, along the Z axis.

Still baffled?

Think of a cuddly toy claw slot machine in an Amusement Arcade (X & Y arrows followed by the plunge Z).

Back to the Rizler paper: every machine needs some sort of reference point (or datum point) and this is what I am doing here. Bringing the cutting tool down slowly on to the gridded workbed so that it "just" scrapes the paper (spindle off of course) and hence Z is set at 0.00mm. This way the machine "knows" where the surface is and therefore able to Manufacture (with the Aid of a Computer) whatever is designed in the CAD software, without tearing up the workbed.

Hence the term CAD/CAM.

A bit like photocopying but a little bit more technical!!!

Fun, fun.