Mastering CNC and Digital Fabrication: The Ultimate Practical Guide to CNC Routing, Laser Cutting, Plasma, Waterjet, 3D Printing, and Welding

If you've ever pressed the green button on a CNC machine and immediately started praying, this book is for you.Written by Jonathan Cantin, founder of CNCROi.com, Mastering CNC and Digital Fabrication is your hands-on, brutally honest, and occasionally hilarious survival guide to the real world of custom manufacturing. Whether you're prototyping, producing, or just trying not to set anything on fire, this book helps you work smarter - not just harder.Forget the fluff. This is a deep-dive into CNC routing, laser cutting, plasma, waterjet, 3D printing, welding, and more-with plenty of shop-floor stories, practical insights, and the kind of wisdom only earned through trial, error, and tool breakage.Inside, you'll learn how to: Design for real-world manufacturing (because the part never matches the CAD file)Choose the right material for the job-and survive supplier shenanigansNavigate the differences between CO₂ and fiber lasers, gantry vs. galvo, FDM vs. resin, and moreOptimize for speed, precision, and margin using nesting, tolerancing, and toolpath strategiesAvoid common mistakes (like forgetting to turn on the air assist... again)Use synergies between CNC platforms to create seamless workflowsUnderstand the impact of automation, cobots, and AI in modern fabrication shopsWhat makes this book different?15 detailed chapters covering every major CNC and digital fabrication processReal-world case studies (like engraving giant oak doors or projects in the Arctic Code Vault)Lessons from the shop floor - what worked, what failed, and why it mattersChapter quizzes + answer keys to help cement what you've learnedAppendix packed with cheat sheets, conversion charts, and historical contextGlossary of industry terms, demystified in plain language (with a wink)Perfect For: CNC operators, shop owners, and digital fabrication prosProduct designers, engineers, and educators bridging theory and practice3D printing enthusiasts and hands-on makersAnyone who's ever yelled at a nesting algorithm, or wondered why a particular bit didn't work wellThis 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.It's written for my son, Simon, and for every maker who knows that building something custom means making it work - not just hoping it does.Mastering CNC and Digital FabricationBecause real fabrication is messy, beautiful, and absolutely worth it.

• | Author: Jonathan Cantin
• | Publisher: I3ds International Corporation
• | Publication Date: Jun 30, 2025
• | Number of Pages: 00368 pages
• | Binding: Paperback or Softback
• | ISBN-10: 1896369537
• | ISBN-13: 9781896369532