CNC machine

at their core: they use an X, Y, and Z-axis to define the coordinate

space inside the machine, and a tool (sometimes an endmill,
sometimes an extruder, sometimes a laser beam) moves around
that space. The technology might change, but the fundamentals
remain essentially the same.
Additive machines build a part from the bottom up. There’s no
question about where the piece starts on the build plate. However,
something like a milling machine has to subtract material away from
an external object. To do this, the machine needs to understand the
position of the stock in physical space. If only it were as simple as
shoving a block of metal into your CNC and pressing go.

Things start to get complicated when adding in a variety of milling tools.

Each bit has a different length, which changes the distance between
the spindle datum and the workpiece.
That origin point you just set for a 1″ long end mill isn’t going to work for
a 3″ long drill.

You can think of the coordinate system as how CNC machines understand
3D space. Without a coordinate system, your CNC would have
absolutely no way of knowing:
● Where your block of material is
● How far away your tool is from your part
● What movements to use to machine your part
The coordinate system might seem complicated at a glance,
but it can be broken down into simple components.
Let’s first start with the basics of the Cartesian coordinate system.

Combine the X, Y, and Z axes at 90-degree angles,

and you create a three-dimensional space for your CNC
machine to move around in. Each axis meets at the Origin.
When two axes connect, they form a Plane. For example, when the
X and Y axes meet, you get an XY plane, where most of the work
happens on 2.5D parts. These planes are divided into four
quadrants, numbered 1-4, with their own positive and negative
values.

An easy way to understand the Cartesian coordinate system in

relation to your CNC machine is using the Right Hand Rule.
Hold your hand out palm up with your thumb and index finger pointed
outwards, and your middle finger pointed upwards.
Place your hand in front of your CNC machine,
aligned with the machine’s spindle, and you’ll see the axes line up perfectly.
● Middle finger is the Z-axis.
● Index finger is the Y-axis.
● Thumb is the X-axis.

How a CNC Machine Uses Coordinates

Using the Cartesian coordinate system, we control CNC machines
along each axis to transform a block of material into a finished part.
Although it’s difficult to describe axes using relative terms, based on
each axis, you typically get the following movements from the
perspective of an operator facing the machine:
● X-axis allows movement “left” and “right”
 ● Y-axis allows movement “forward” and “backward”
● Z-axis allows movement “up” and “down”
Put all of this together, and you have a CNC machine that can cut
various sides of a workpiece in the XY plane and at various depths
along the Z axis. Whether it’s a milling machine, router, or laser,
they all use this fundamental movement system.

The movement of your CNC along the coordinate system is always

based on how your tool moves, not the table. For example,
increasing the X coordinate value moves the table left,
but looking from the perspective of the tool, it’s moving right along a
workpiece.

Intro to CNC: Axes and Offsets

Your CNC Machine’s Origin
Every CNC machine has its own internal origin point called
Machine Home.
When your CNC first boots up, it has no idea where it is in physical space
and requires a calibration to get its bearings.
When this process occurs, all three axes of your CNC move towards
their maximum mechanical limit. Once a limit is reached, a signal is
sent to a controller which records the home position for that particular axis.
When this occurs for all three axes, the machine is now “homed.”

Under the hood, the process can vary from machine to machine.
For some machines there is a physical limit switch that signals the
controller that a machine has reached an axis limit.
On some machines there’s an entire servo system in place that makes
this entire process incredibly fluid and precise.
A machine controller sends a signal through a circuit board to a servo motor,
which connects to each machine axis. The servo motor rotates a ball screw
that’s attached to the table on your CNC machine, making it move.