What Is a CNC Machine?

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CNC machining enables the creation of parts and components that would usually be impossible to

create manually. A single set of prompts fed into a computer can produce complex 3D products.

The CNC machine removes material from the base stock piece through drilling, milling, turning

or other types of operations to create shapes, angles and the finished product.

The answer to “What is CNC?” is to think about the process as a blending of technology and

physical tools. Computers take input from CNC machinists, who translate drawings into a

programming language called G-code. The CNC machine then dictates to the tool what speed and

movement to follow in order to create the desired part or object.

If you’ve ever wondered “What does CNC stand for?” and are curious what a CNC machinist career

looks like, read on.

What Does CNC Mean?

Have you ever wondered, “What does CNC stand for?” CNC machining, or CNC manufacturing, is a

process using computer numerical control (CNC) machines, which are tools such as mills and

lathes guided by computer instructions that control the precision of the instruments.

What CNC Machinists Do

There are many fields where CNC machinists can work, including automotive, manufacturing,

dental, computer part production, aerospace, tool and die making, motorsports, and medical

industries. CNC machinists read blueprints and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and

computer-aided design (CAD) files. They set up and manage CNC machine tool operation. They have

to measure and test completed products to ensure they’re perfect. And they modify CNC processes

as needed.

CNC machinists have a hand in making joint replacements and other implants for the human body.

CNC machines create large components, like automobile frames and doors, and small parts, like

those found on medical devices.

CNC machining uses all types of material, from plastics and metals to wood, foam and fiberglass.

CNC machine tools improve automation, making it possible to reduce or eliminate operator

intervention for producing quality products.

CNC machines are fast and efficient. They reduce

the likelihood of mistakes caused by human error or operator fatigue.

CNC machines also provide flexibility. Since theye are run from programs, you simply need to

load a new program or add a new prompt to an existing program by revising the code if you want

to create a new part. Once the program is verified after you’ve tested it, you can use that

program in the future whenever you want to produce the same part.

Who is a Fit for a Career in CNC Machining?

Problem solvers who are mechanically minded may be a fit for CNC machining, since math and

communication skills are essential qualities for CNC machinists. CNC machinists must possess

strong attention to detail, be able to work autonomously and independently, excel at following

directions, and have a grasp of computers in order to be successful.

“Machinists are a little OCD,” says Tech instructor Craig G. “They like to be in control and

like to seek perfection. We live in a world of small tolerances.”

CNC instructor Andrew agrees.

“I think the people who tend to make the best machinists are people who like working with their

hands but have a great attention to detail,” Collier says. “Quick example: I moved into a new

house and was hanging a 60-inch TV on my wall. I finished, and stepped back and said to my

wife, ‘That isn’t level.’ ”

Andrew continues, “My wife says, ‘What do you mean? It looks great,’ as I walk over to the TV

with a tape measure. I exclaim, ‘No, this side is an 3.18 mm higher.’ That is most machinists I

know in a nutshell.”

No machines are perfect. CNC machinists must be prepared to troubleshoot problems as their

machines operate. From start to finish of a project, there are always important details to monitor.

Since every part is different and presents its own challenges, CNC machinists always have to be thinking critically, which makes their careers interesting.

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What is  Web Hosting?

Now days you can hardly find any serious company that doesn’t have its own website. Regardless of your business niche, people are increasingly leaning toward online shopping, and if you don’t offer such services — someone else will.

Building a fast and good-looking website that’s available at all times, your first step is finding a reliable host.

This article will outline the different types of services and how to choose your web hosting provider.

There are thousands of different hosts on the market today, so it’s crucial to first understand your needs before you go blindly shopping for one. Different hosting types are more effective with different web projects, so we will make sure to explain each solution with its unique specifics.

Table of contents:

  1. Hosting Types
  2. Shared hosting
  3. Virtual Private Server (VPS)
  4. Dedicated Server Hosting
  5. Hosting Types Pros & Cons
  6. Final Takes
  7. FAQ

Hosting Types

In terms of server environment, there are three general types of web hosting:

  • Shared Hosting
  •  VPS Hosting
  • Dedicated Services

Let’s take a closer look into each one to understand its purpose better.

 

Shared hosting

This is a hosting solution which allows many users to utilize the resources of a single server simultaneously. Each of the hosted websites gets some of the CPU, RAM, space, and bandwidth. Note that, while some providers like to speculate with the buzzword “unlimited”, there are no such things when it comes to tangible resources (ex. server storage).

Shared hosting is by far the most popular hosting solution in the world, and there is one main reason for that – the price. The majority of websites don’t really require much resources, so it doesn’t really make sense to spend heaps on a VPS or dedicated server. Shared accounts from reliable providers often cost between $3-$9/mo, which is extremely affordable, even for a startup.

It’s not just good news, though.

Eager to maximize their profits, some hosts overcrowd their servers with more users the machine can handle. And because it’s not a caged environment, every client starts to suffer from slow loads and even downtimes.

Security is another possible issue. Even if you apply the latest security measures on your website, once an attacker breaches through a neighboring account on your server, they get access over all websites on the same machine.

The traditional shared hosting is better suited for personal and small business websites that aren’t necessarily mission-critical. You benefit from an affordable hosting solution, which includes server management, maintenance, and updates for just a few dollars per month.

Shared hosting is not suitable if:

  • You have high requirements for data privacy and security
  • You aim for high email delivery rates.
  • You want your website to load fast and uninterrupted at all times.
  • You have a well-populated and resource-hungry website.
  • You are looking for a custom software installation.

Depending on your server configuration, there are actually some sub-types of shared hosting.

Reseller Hosting

Reseller hosting is a service that strongly resembles shared services, but differ in the purpose of usage. More often than not, web developers and designers work with a lot of clients who need web hosting. Many professionals prefer to host customers with no more than 1-2 providers, because of the easy management and support.

Reseller hosting allows people to monetize from those efforts. The provider gets you an account, which you can split into many instances and sell them as if you were the host. There is no limit on the overhead you can make from the price difference — you have the full freedom to charge your clients as you see fit.

With reseller hosting, you get access to an administrative control panel where you manage the service. It’s a comprehensive dashboard where you can create hosting plans, delete users, allocate resources like space, traffic, emails,, and databases. The administrative area lets you easily control all clients without them knowing about one another. Each user gets a separate control panel and login credentials so their projects remain completely independent.

Even if you are not a developer with multiple clients, you can simple use reseller hosting as a business venture. Many providers offer white-label services, which hide all your ties with the source host. This way, you can appear as a standalone business that offers quality web hosting under your brand.

Shared Cloud Hosting

Shared cloud hosting is a relatively new type of hosting service, which appeared with the rise of cloud computing. While it has many of the features of traditional shared solutions, the server setup is completely different.

Cloud servers utilize a huge network of machines that spread across the whole world. As there is no single point-of-failure, users can benefit from maximum stability and site availability. Even if a hardware component stops working, the other servers in the network “take the load” so there isn’t even a second of downtime.

One of the important things you should look for in a cloud service is the utilization of SSD. Solid-state drives are essential for the speed of the server and the loading time of all websites on it.

Cloud hosts save your site info in central data banks which are maintained via SAN (Storage Area Network). The frequency of requests is really strong here, and that’s why it is crucial for the disks to be fast enough, otherwise, the whole network will run slowly.

Overall, shared cloud hosting is a bit more expensive than traditional solutions, but it’s money well-spent in this case. You get higher availability and security, while the speed mostly depends on the host’s configuration and disk drive technology.

 

Virtual Private Server (VPS)

Virtual servers are getting more and more popular in the last few years, mainly thanks to the technology evolution and lowered prices.

VPS hosting is the best solution for businesses that need enhanced functionalities and security for their web projects, but cannot afford the high costs involved with a dedicated server solution. The secret lies in their configuration.

Web hosting providers can split a physical server into several virtual instances, each completely independent from the others. This is achieved through a process called virtualization. It creates a caged environment for each user, allowing them to customize the account as they wish.

VPS solutions resemble shared hosting in the sense you have multiple clients on the same server. The major difference is in the level of control over the machine.

Each VPS client can install their own operating system, choose a specific software, or tweak settings on the virtual server. That eliminates a lot of dangers that normally come with the shared nature of the hosting environment.

Virtual servers also have their subtypes:

  • Managed VPS hosting — this is the most popular option among business owners with zero previous experience. Instead of having to learn tons about server management, you are leaving the most crucial tasks to your hosting provider. This might include things like OS setup, software installations, server patches and upgrades, and all the technical issues you may encounter.
  • Unmanaged VPS hosting — the most preferred option by technically advanced users. Developers enjoy full control over the server machine, with the freedom to customize practically everything.
    This means they are also responsible for any possible issues and site problems they encounter along the way. The hosting provider is only responsible for the initial server setup and keeping its network constantly available.
  • Cloud VPS hosting — some virtual servers utilize the cloud in a way where disk resources are delivered to the physical servers (hypervisors) via a separate SAN network used only for disk operations. There is a double security model on each level, so even if there is a hardware failure, the client website will remain active.

Cloud VPS servers are not a separate service per se, they are basically outlining the type of infrastructure and setup the host is using.

 

Dedicated Server Hosting

This is a type of hosting solution where the client rents an entire server for their needs alone. The hosting company is only responsible for provisioning the server from the datacenter in a working condition. Some providers may offer managed dedicated solutions. Opting for such a deal, you get an account admin who helps with any hardware and software issues.

You are the only user on a dedicated server, so you have full access to the processing power of the machine. There is no better way to maximize your speed and site performance, so the service is often preferred by big enterprises and resource-heavy websites.

But here comes the biggest disadvantage – the price. As you can imagine, this is the most expensive hosting solution because you are renting the entire server, regardless of your actual resource consumption. That’s why prices for dedicated hosting can often vary from about $100 to several thousand dollars per month.

Before you opt-in for a dedicated server, it’s always good to check with your hosting provider about your optimal configuration. This strongly depends on your traffic numbers, CPU and RAM consumption, whether you need RAID redundancy, and the specifics of your software.

 

Hosting Types Pros & Cons

Now it’s time to weigh up the pros and cons of the various hosting services on our list. As we have already found out, each of them can be ideal for certain client types, it’s only a matter of the purpose and requirements of their project.

Shared Hosting Advantages

+ Very low monthly investments

+ Enough resources for most small to medium websites

+ Server hardware management from the host

Shared Hosting Disadvantages

– Performance issues due to overcrowded servers

– Vulnerable security model

– Not a lot of room for growth

Conclusion

Shared hosting is the most affordable hosting solution for personal and small business websites. The service can be used for portfolios, blogs, forums, and websites that don’t contain private user or billing information.

VPS Hosting Advantages

+ More customization freedom and control

+ Optimized performance and seamless resource scalability

+ Isolated account environment for maximum security

VPS Hosting Disadvantages

– More pricey than shared hosting

– Best to have at least basic server knowledge to operate smoothly

– It takes some getting used to

Conclusion

Affordable VPS servers are like the middle ground of hosting services. They offer a highly scalable environment with dedicated server resources for each client. Often preferred by ecommerce shops and growing business websites in need of fast speeds and uninterrupted availability.

Dedicated Hosting Advantages

+ Full root control over the server environment

+ No resource limits

+ Great email deliverability

Dedicated Hosting Disadvantages

– Very costly, not suitable for businesses on a budget

– Requires advanced technical knowledge

– Less easy to use than other hosting solutions

Conclusion

Dedicated servers give you full computing power and freedom for customizations. You can host one or a hundred websites as long as they fit within the disk space. Often utilized by big enterprises and projects that need a very specific setup.

 

Final Takes

Hopefully, this review contains enough useful insights to help you make an informed the decision for your website. But even if you still have any doubts, Creative 3D Films would be glad to help with more expertise. Simply contact Steven via  email to get advice and tips on the best solution for your specific case.

 

FAQ

Q: What makes a good web hosting service?

A: There are a few essential elements that always mark a great hosting provider, especially if they combine more than one. Clients most often look for speed, uptime, security, support, and price. The user reviews should always be on the back of your mind as they can either re-confirm the stellar reputation of the host or reveal unexpected problems.

Q: What is the best hosting for small business?

A: Finding the right hosting service is especially crucial for small business owners and often boils down to the budget they’re prepared to invest. If money is tight, you can start on a shared plan and upgrade when you start to outgrow it. For maximum efficiency, SMBs can directly utilize a VPS hosting service and get a dedicated set of system resources solely for their website.

Q: How much does it cost to host a website?

A: The most affordable shared providers on the market can even offer an introductory price below a dollar, but the average in the niche floats around $3-$9/mo with reliable hosts. Virtual servers will up your budget a little, requiring from $10-$15 to $70-$80 per month. And then we have dedicated servers where you can expect anything from $90 upward, depending on the resource configuration.

 

 

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Unless you’re a small business owner who is not interested in growing your brand, you need to have a website. These days building a business website or e-commerce store is easier than ever: it doesn’t cost too much money, you don’t have to know how to code or design, your online store is not restricted to business hours, and it’s one of the best means of advertising. Having a small business website isn’t just about selling your goods and services — it’s also about providing something of value to potential customers. With so many low priced online services, there’s really no excuse to keep putting it off. Still not sure how having a website will help you grow your business?

Here are ten reasons every business needs a website:

1. Your customers expect it.

If this were the only reason on the list, it would be enough. Six out of ten consumers expect brands to provide online content about their business on some form of digital property, and more than half head straight to the brand’s website for product information.

If you don’t have a business website, today’s digital-savvy (and impatient) customers may look elsewhere. Take a look at this list of specifics that customers say they want from a business website.

2. It provides social proof.

Ninety percent of consumers claim that online reviews influence their buying decisions.

You could rely on for example Yelp, Foursquare and other review sites to host reviews for your brand, but you can kill two birds with one stone on your own website.

Since potential buyers are already looking for you online, including customer testimonials on your site is a great way to impress potential buyers.

3. You control the narrative.

It’s true that you cannot control what others say about you on social media channels, but you can influence public perception by creating your own story via a business website.

A company blog helps business owners get their message, mission, and personality in front of their target audience faster than print ads or snail mail brochures.

Plus, social icons linking to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other networking platforms make sharing your content easier for your visitors who like what they see.

4. More bang for your buck.

When you use website-building services, like www.Creative3DFilms.com, you position your company to reach thousands more potential customers for less than you would spend mailing a thousand brochures by traditional mail.

5. You don’t need extensive coding or technical skills

We do all that for you…better than a WX website ever will be, their cheap and nasty website building tools that do not not even rank your website in google’s search engine, Don’t believe their ads and do not us them!

6. Your competitors all have company websites.

Consumers typically start their buying journey with research and recommendations from peers and social network connections.
Studies show that once a consumer has an idea of what they need or want, they start researching, and 72 percent of them go online to find educational material, reviews, and testimonials, according to a recent report.

So if you’re not staying competitive with your competition, you’re giving shoppers a reason to buy from another brand.

7. Never put up the ‘closed for business’ sign again.

Nobody wants to work at 3 a.m., but some people like to shop then. Having a business website or e-commerce store means that you can sell products all the time — not simply between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

An online store can mean a dramatic boost in sales, especially when you factor in additional customers who are not restricted by geography. Your online presence also supports marketing campaigns, customer service, client relationship building, brand recognition, and almost every other element of the revenue stream.

Combining your website with marketing tools, like email marketing, helps you reach new customers and generate repeat business.

8. You’ll show up in Google search results.

Consider this: 91 percent of consumers perform online research before making a purchase. That means they go to Google and type in one or more keywords, like “best leather shoes” or, if they know what they want, “handcrafted Italian leather women’s shoes in Currumbin.”

If you don’t have a website for your business, the chances of showing up on the search engine results page (SERP) are zero. But if you have a site, you can optimize it for search engines, thereby increasing your chances of appearing at the top of Google’s results and getting more visibility with potential customers.

9. Create a resource center for your staff.

In addition to helping customers, your business website can also benefit your own employees.

Create an orphan page (one that is not visible anywhere on the site so it can’t be found unless someone is given the direct link) with self-service videos, instructional materials, or even internal forms to help your team learn everything they need to know on their own schedules.

10. Showcase your products and services.

Not only can you display your products or outline your services in detail with beautiful images, but you can provide short video tutorials or downloadable PDF instructions to give hesitant customers no reason to go elsewhere to purchase.

Need help setting up a website for your business?

If you haven’t created a website for your business, you can get set up with a web hosting service from Creative 3D Films. Learn more about this here.

Want to outsource your website & management? Contact Creative 3D Films we have small business and marketing services. Check out the list of marketing services — on our Creative 3D Films services tab of our website.

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What Is Graphic Design?

 

Graphic design, also known as communication design, is the art and practice of planning, projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content.

The form it takes can be physical or virtual and can include images, words, text or graphics.

The experience can take place in an instant or over a long period of time.

The work can happen at any scale, from the design of a single postage stamp to a nationwide postal sign driven system.

It can be intended for some people, such as a one-off or limited-edition book or exhibition design, or can be seen by millions, as with the interlinked digital and physical content of an international news organization.

It can also be for any purpose, whether commercial, educational, cultural, or political.

Design that’s to be experienced in an instant is the easiest to recognize.

Designers arrange type, form, and image on posters, advertisements, packages,business cards and other printed matter.Information visuals and graphics for newspapers and magazines.
This kind of design is often confused with illustration, but while an illustrator creates or draws an image in response to an idea, a designer combines illustrations, photographs, and type in order to communicate an idea. One way to understand this is to consider the difference between a furniture maker and an interior designer. One makes a specific object for a specific purpose, while the other things about how all the objects and surfaces of a room create an environment for the person moving through it. Good illustrators are often capable designers and vice versa, making it harder to distinguish between the two practices.

 

“Design with Motion Graphics”

 

Motion graphics are equally predetermined and crafted but are meant to be experienced over a fixed time span, like the opening credits of a movie or an online video that explains part of a newspaper article.

They usually go beyond the visual, curating and cueing sound to moving vector graphics, photographs, and video. The difference between motion graphics and videography or animation is the same as the difference between two-dimensional graphics and illustration.

Motion graphics combine animation, videography, and typography for a communicative purpose, and this combination over time and the space of the screen constitutes the design.

Whether physical or digital, books and magazines are meant to be enjoyed over time, during which the reader has control over the pace and sequence of the experience. In books, the content usually comes before the design, while in magazines, the design is a structure that anticipates written and visual content that hasn’t yet been created.

Some commercial websites or exhibition catalogs also fit in this category, as do digital or physical museum displays that show information that doesn’t change. All have content in a suggested order that has been thought about ahead of time, but the user or reader finds his or her own path through the material.

Many designers also produce systems that are meant to be experienced over time but aren’t confined to the making of objects. Way finding, a form of environmental graphics, refers to branding and signage applied throughout and on buildings or outdoor areas like parks or highways. While each sign or symbol in way finding is a work of design, together they form a larger system that helps people navigate while maintaining a sense of the character of where they are.

The design of the system—the relationships among all of those parts—is where the designer brings the greatest value.
The larger category of environmental graphics includes any design that connects a person to a place, extending to and overlapping with dynamic displays, didactic type and imagery, and creative place making.

A wall of terminals that show arriving and departing flights, a digital display on the facade of a building that shows stock prices, an inspirational quote in a building lobby, and a placard explaining a historical place or landmark are all examples of environmental graphics.

Similar to way finding, branding pulls together all the artifacts of a commercial or institutional brand, like a business card, a sign, a logo, or an advertisement, into a visual system. How those are experienced over time is the design work. No part is created without considering the other parts or without thinking about how the target customer will first encounter the brand and then develop a relationship with that brand over time. In the twentieth century, a consumer often had just a few touchpoints for a brand.

For example, if you were to fly somewhere, you would see expressions of the airline on your ticket, at the gate, on the plane, on the uniforms of the flight attendants, and on various printed items on the plane, like the blankets, napkins, or in-flight magazines. Perhaps you would have seen a print or television ad.

Today, your experience still includes all of these items, but now it begins well before you arrive at the airport, when you buy your ticket on the airline’s website and receive an email confirmation, and carries through to a safety video and interactive options on board.
Once you’ve arrived at your destination, you may also receive follow-ups by email asking about your experience on the trip or inviting you to further interact with the brand.

This expansion of touch points overlaps with almost every medium and considers a much longer span of engagement with the customer.

“Design for the Masses”

 

Designers are also responsible for interactive designs where the content changes as it gets updated, as well as screen interfaces that help people navigate through a lot of information. Interaction design differentiates itself from other kinds of design by adding another consideration: responding to the actions of the viewer or user.

Editorial design for web and mobile is the most tangible example, including websites and mobile apps for publication. Some digital design involves the presentation of rapidly changing streaming information, also known as data visualization, creating both interactive and non-interactive interfaces. Product design refers to the design of digital products, which are digital services, tools, or platforms that can be brought to market.

The term is confusing because for several decades “product design” has referred only to industrially produced physical items like radios, benches, and bicycles and has been used interchangeably with “industrial design.” Related to software design, product design requires knowledge both about how computers process, sort, and display information as well as how humans interface with computers. Many companies and the designers who work for them aim for their products to be used by large numbers of people around the world, so they often rely on widely accepted design patterns and metaphors and prioritize usability and functionality over aesthetic expression.

For large or complex projects, different designers may work on the user interface (UI), which refers to the effect and layout of what the user sees at the moment, and the user experience (UX), or the total experience of users over time as they move through websites or mobile apps.

Depending on the scale of the context in which a designer works, the work may include one, some, or all of these things in the course of a year. Larger companies, agencies, teams, or studios may employ a number of specialists, while smaller studios and groups may need to have each individual capable, if not an expert, in multiple areas.

Higher-level creative direction or managerial positions usually require expertise in at least two additional areas beyond basic competence in design: domain expertise (knowing what is happening in a particular business sector) and further knowledge and experience in team management or client relations. While having a job in design requires knowledge in only one area, having a career in design requires expertise in more than one medium and more than one area of the design process.

Graphic design is an important tool that enhances how you communicate with other people. It serves to convey your ideas in a way that is not only effective, but also beautiful. Here are just a few factors to consider before investing in graphic design services.

 

“Making Your Business Shine with Great Design!”

 

Good design makes your business look good. It’s that simple. Great graphic design allows you to make a positive first impression on those looking on. Human beings form initial opinions in a matter of seconds. On the other hand, it takes a lot more time to have a change of heart after a first impression is made.

Aesthetically pleasing, professionally designed graphics will cause other persons to form positive opinions about your product, service or brand. It sets you apart. It’s important to know that the graphic design that you choose to represent your brand can set you apart from your competition whether negatively or positively.

Great design stands out in the minds of decision makers and can influence their choices, both deliberately and subconsciously. By nature, people like to associate with things that look good and make them feel good.

By investing in quality graphic design, you are significantly increasing your brand’s ability to stand out in the minds of key decision makers. It conveys a message of credibility and professionalism.

 

Conclusion

 

As noted earlier, graphic design plays a significant role in the decision-making process. Companies that invest in quality graphic design are perceived to be more trustworthy. Presentation and perception can make or break any business. Persons are looking for signs of professionalism to convince them that you can be trusted.

One such sign is the way that you present yourself. It’s important to present yourself in the best possible way by investing in quality graphic design.

It summarizes an idea with consistent imagery that resonates.

What ideas would you like to present to the public? Great graphic design summarizes these ideas in a way that pleases. Persons may not be willing to read a document that is trying to convince them to purchase your product, but they will be willing to have a look at an image that serves the same purpose. Additionally, graphic design needs to be consistent.

All representations of your brand should be visually similar to build trust and to ensure that your brand is recognizable.

Great graphic design gives you this much needed consistency.

Whether it’s in print or online, from business cards to billboards, logos, packaging design, fliers and more, Creative 3D Films is ready to meet your graphic design needs. We appreciate the importance of great graphic design and our passion is about making your business look good. We will consult with you to get a true feel of your needs before we begin the task of turning your idea into an image that you’ll love.