Take control of your machine building and production processes with computer-run tools to safely use, or even build, a durable machine for use in your garage or even a startup company. This book provides best practices for laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC mills, vinyl cutters, and more.

You'll begin by learning the history of digitally controlled tools, as well as how they work and what materials you can use with them. With this knowledge, you won’t just learn how to make common machines work, you’ll go to the next level and build your own machine—whether that be a plasma cutter or a CNC milling machine.

You will learn how they use these tools to create amazing products, art, and even new machines! You’ll also find handy overviews of tools, software, and materials to use in a reference appendix. After reading Mastering Digitally Controlled Machines you’ll be able to create something for yourself, your community, or your company.

What You’ll Learn

Use accessible computer-controlled machines safely to make anything you want to build

Fit the right tool and materials with the right projects

Build your own CNC machine custom tailored to your project’s needs

Who This Book Is For

People who want to understand how accessible computer-controlled tools work and build any kind of product themselves. Makerspaces, Fab Labs, and similar spaces will benefit. And people who want to create prototypes and products for themselves or their company/ startup, or to start creating prototypes without much prior knowledge.