CNC Question

[Bruce Boone]

Does anyone know of an easy way to write CNC code for bulged objects to be carved from wood? In other words, if you were to want 3 dimensional carved grapes for example, is there a simple command that can take a 2D drawn circle and automatically bulge a surface a given amount? It would be similar to dipping a framework of 2D artwork into a bubble solution and automatically inflating all the areas into a set height bulge. It looks like the new Sears routing machine may do that. I would assume that some CAD softwares can do easily that, but I haven't seen that specifically. I can do it by building each surface with the proper gridwork of U and V splines and patching surfaces together, but it seems there must be an easier way. I can get from a surface to CNC code, so that part isn't as much of an issue as easily developing the 3D bulged surfaces.

[David Friedman]

Bruce:

Try here:
http://www.mastercam.com/Products/Art/default.aspx

[Ian Rankin]

Bruce,
Vectric is an inexpensive programme. visit www.vectric.com (http://www.vectric.com)

Regards
Ian R

[Dana Florian]

Bruce- Have you ever heard of bob-cad cam. I have been using it for programming my four mitsubishi wire edms. Works great for my laser too.(gcc explorer II 30w) On one of our last upgrades we were given a package that included "bob-art". Its pretty simple to use, just import your picture and emboss it. You can download thier demo version for free at bobcadcam.com . If you do decide to purchase it be tough with them as they like to sell thier product like car salesmen. They will start out high and discount it to a very low price making you think you are getting a good deal.

[Bruce Boone]

Great info. That's exactly what I was referring to. It looks like the MasterCam example page does exactly that puffing command I was talking about and the others can probably do it too. I'll check further into them.

Thanks!

[Bruce Larson]

Enroute 3 Pro from Scanvec Amiable has full 3D capability. It is however very expensive.

[Bruce Boone]

Thanks Bruce. I have CAD and I have CAM (although I usually write my code by hand), but have never seen an inflate command to make easy work of creating interesting 3D surfaces out of 2D latticework. Real 3D surfacing can get pretty tough, and I wouldn't suppose that folks that buy the low end wood routers like the new one from Sears would be going through the hoops that I had to go through to create code to make a simple bulged wood heart for a titanium pendant. I've seen examples of far more complex geometry, but I think the software just converts 2D wireforms to 3D.

[Joseph B. Chritz]

Bruce,
In July 2006 I downloaded the demo for RhinoART. It's an add on to Rhino3D that does a pretty good job of "puffing" up art. It's fast and pretty easy once you figure out what you need to do. At that time they had an introductory price of $399 plus you needed Rhino 3D. I was satisfied with the results and it's still on my list of things I'm going to get when I find some free time to use it.

I started with some line art and input the size of the ball cutter and height I wanted. There were a few other controls, but I don't remember very well and it's easy to check out if your interested.

I have the line art I started with, the Rhino3D screen shot of the 3D model, the finished part about 4 1/2 long in pine, and some of the CNC code so you can see the output.

Check out these links and let me know if you want any more info from me.
I'll send you the file if you want.

http://www.rhinocam.com/Products/RhinoArt.shtml

http://www.rhinocam.com/Store/Store.shtml

http://www2.rhino3d.com/resources/display.asp?language=&listing=918

[Joseph B. Chritz]

OOPS, I forgot the code and I don't know what happened to the lineart

N3G90G0X2.347Y-0.384
N4G43Z0.212
N5G1Z0.027F20.
N6Z0.003
N7X-0.394
N8Y-0.372

N7259X0.512Z0.004
N7260X0.549Z0.036
N7261X0.578Z0.056
N7262X0.593Z0.063
N7263X0.6Z0.067
N7264X0.608Z0.069
N7265X0.623Z0.074
N7266X0.637Z0.078
N7267X0.648Z0.079

[Joseph B. Chritz]

I'll try the lineart again

[Bruce Boone]

That's exactly what I'm talking abut Joseph. Making a surface like that without the puffing up command would be really tough to do. Good to know it's possible and not that expensive.