Mastering CNC and Digital Fabrication

<p>If you've ever pressed the green button on a CNC machine and immediately started praying this book is for you.</p><p></p><p>Written by <strong>Jonathan Cantin</strong> founder of CNCROi.com <em>Mastering CNC and Digital Fabrication</em> is your hands-on brutally honest and occasionally hilarious survival guide to the <strong>real world of custom manufacturing</strong>. Whether you're prototyping producing or just trying not to set anything on fire this book helps you work smarter - not just harder.</p><p></p><p>Forget the fluff. This is a deep-dive into CNC routing laser cutting plasma waterjet 3D printing welding and more-with plenty of <strong>shop-floor stories practical insights</strong> and the kind of wisdom only earned through trial error and tool breakage.</p><p></p><p><strong>Inside you'll learn how to:</strong></p><ul><li>Design for real-world manufacturing (because the part never matches the CAD file)</li><li>Choose the right material for the job-and survive supplier shenanigans</li><li>Navigate the differences between <strong>CO₂ and fiber lasers</strong> <strong>gantry vs. galvo</strong> <strong>FDM vs. resin</strong> and more</li><li>Optimize for <strong>speed precision and margin</strong> using nesting tolerancing and toolpath strategies</li><li>Avoid common mistakes (like forgetting to turn on the air assist... again)</li><li>Use synergies between CNC platforms to create seamless workflows</li><li>Understand the impact of <strong>automation cobots and AI</strong> in modern fabrication shops</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>What makes this book different?</strong></p><ul><li>15 detailed chapters covering every major CNC and digital fabrication process</li><li><strong>Real-world case studies</strong> (like engraving giant oak doors or projects in the Arctic Code Vault)</li><li><strong>Lessons from the shop floor</strong> - what worked what failed and why it matters</li><li><strong>Chapter quizzes + answer keys</strong> to help cement what you've learned</li><li><strong>Appendix packed with cheat sheets conversion charts and historical context</strong></li><li><strong>Glossary of industry terms</strong> demystified in plain language (with a wink)</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Perfect For:</strong></p><ul><li>CNC operators shop owners and digital fabrication pros</li><li>Product designers engineers and educators bridging theory and practice</li><li>3D printing enthusiasts and hands-on makers</li><li>Anyone who's ever yelled at a nesting algorithm or wondered why a particular bit didn't work well</li></ul><p></p><p>This isn't a textbook. It's the culmination of three decades in the trenches-plus a welding diploma earned at age 48 just to cross it off a bucket list.</p><p></p><p>It's written for my son Simon and for every maker who knows that building something custom means <strong>making it work</strong> - not just hoping it does.</p><p></p><p><strong>Mastering CNC and Digital Fabrication</strong></p><p>Because real fabrication is messy beautiful and absolutely worth it.</p>