Leo Voisine
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- 5,703
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- East Freeetown, Massachusetts
Well, unfortunately I think the learning curves of a home cnc are steep. I'm sure some of the more commercial versions, such as carvewrite and shopbot have refined their software to be more novice friendly, but it's not been my experience that one simply can draw and print with these, at least doing anything more than engraving. I've spent a week playing with the Vcarve software off and on, learning how to import and do things, but feel like I'm barely scratching the surface. That doesn't take into account all the in's/out's of running the machine, knowing what speeds to run at for the given material, setting up the material, and setting up the machine for the job.
I am finding that having the VCarve software, that pre-packaged patterns are available, either free or for purchase, which looks to be a benefit for those that don't want to spend a ton of time doing CAM design.
Shopbot actually has several that load into the Vcarve software: http://www.shopbottools.com/msupport/projects.htm
Here's one that has designs for sale: http://cncminiprojects.com/project-shop/
Yeah - there are several parts to the process
1) DESIGN
This is not yet even the CAD part - it is the creativity - what are the possibilities
2) CAD
This can be broken into 2 stages --- A) 2D, and B) 3D
The 3D can be further broken into 2 groups a) Full 3D, and b) Reliefs (almost 100% of the router stuff we see is reflief)
3) CAM
This can get into some REALLY complex stuff - but we are basically into the same as in the CAD.
There is 2D work and 3D work (reliefs for about 100% of the part.)
The real 3D stuff gets of into 4-5 axis stuff. The hobby level CNC routers are not ready for that world yet.
4) MACHINE
We are all basically looking at a vertical spindle 3 axis machine.
The rotary axis on 98% of the hobby machines are not really a 4-th axis.
They really are just axis swapping and "wrapping" one of the machine axis's around a cylinder - that is not really 4-th axis as the machine is still processing 3 axis of motion
5) TOOLING
There really is a lot to learn about tooling
Spiral direction
Gullet clearance
How many flutes to use - what is the material?
What is the correct tool material
6) PROCESS
Speeds and Feeds
Chipload
accelleration
Ramping
Nesting
7) MATERIALS
HDU
Softwood
Hardwood
Plastics - hard and soft
Aluminum
Brass
Composites
It is a BIG pie pie. You cannot eat it all at one time. It does NOT come naturally. It is NOT just common sense. It is a learned skill
Plan on eating it ONE little bite at a time and chew 40 chews on each bite.
On the Vectric Desktop - you very quickly come to realize that what you just bought is NOT a toy. It is a FULL BLOWN hot rod design and programming tool. It is NOT just some low end bang it together quickie CAM system. It IS a powerhouse of programming software.
I have been a Vectric user since 2007 and have had PhotoVcarve, Cut3D, V-Carve Pro and Aspire. I've done a lot with all of it - but am still a novice.
The free models in Desktop allow you some extremely complex designs. This will plunge you DEEP DEEP into the #1 category I mentioned above - Design. How can you take some of those models and compile them into a creative design
This sign - not the post - is WELL within the possibilities of V-Carve Pro, and Desktop.
The post is sculpted concrete. That is another skill.
The painting is yet another skill
The models were Vectorart3D models and I think some are in the Desktop collection
The owner of this sign has won awards with it and they use Vectric to do the CAM work on it.
Read my sig line -
Your only limitations that you have with what you have are all in your head - literally
Luch is over and I have overstayed my liberties - gotta go