The Hobby Shop just got a CNC Router. The CNC Router operates just like a CNC Mill except that it is designed for wood and plastics, i.e. it is designed to sacrifice sturdiness for much faster feeds and speeds.
Each member of the PCSL gets assigned a "guru" position, i.e. each grad student is in charge of a machine or area of the lab. I am the 3D Printer guru for our lab. I am responsible for the maintenance of the machine as well as keeping track of the charges (we charge by material and by the hour.) This entry is about the basic uses of the machine.
The CNC Mill is an amazing machine and we happen to have one in my lab. I also use the ProtoTrak in the Hobby Shop and the EZTrak in the FSAE shop and Pappalardo.
As a member of the MIT-Harvard RoboCup Team, I have access to the workshop in the back of the MIT Museum (no, not MITERS.) In that shop, there’s a laser cutter. Here’s what I made with it. The photo engravings actually landed me a job as the person who is in charge of the laser cutter maintenance.
Here are some examples of what can be done on the OMAX Waterjet. These were made for a name plate that is a work in progress.