Routing Wood

[Tweakie.CNC]

This relief was routed in oak 2.5 mm deep using a 3 mm diameter single flute cutter. The width of the sign is 350 mm which is the maximum size I can handle with the X - Axis. Longer signs have to be mounted sideways ( Y - Axis ) and cut in stages. This is the nameplate for a 'Beach Hut', which is a very appropriate name, don't you think ?.

[Sam]

At first glance I thought you were making a time machine. Looks like a job well done.

[Tweakie.CNC]

Another plaque for Art's stairwell perhaps ?. Neptune and Gemme / Gemme and Neptune, well maybe not.

This plaque is approx 150 mm x 190 mm and was cut in teak to 7 mm maximum depth. The cutter was a 3 mm diameter ball nose running at 3000 rpm and with a feed rate of F300 it took approx. 3 hours to complete. (The finished plaque has been gloss varnished and it was difficult to get a reasonable picture because of the reflections.)

The image is called 'Gemme', and this can be downloaded from Martin De Roode's website at http://engraving.majosoft.com/html/perfect_pictures.html.

I have posted my G-Code for this project if anyone is interested in cutting this plaque themselves. (If you use a high speed spindle then the feed rates can be increased considerably but to avoid overloading the cutter, reduce the feed rate by 50% or so for the first cut then reset to the full rate for the remainder. The X and Y zero is dead centre of the blank and Z zero is with the cutter just touching the work).

Happy routing.

[Chaoticone]

Good job Tweakie. 

Brett

[Tweakie.CNC]

This is one of the sample tool paths from the 'Vectric Cut2D'. It makes a very nice job but there are so many unnecessary and time consuming Z moves on such a simple plaque that I really wonder how well it will cope with a complicated design.

[Tweakie.CNC]

Some more of the Vectric Cut2D samples, cut in MDF.

[budman68]

This is one of the sample tool paths from the 'Vectric Cut2D'. It makes a very nice job but there are so many unnecessary and time consuming Z moves on such a simple plaque that I really wonder how well it will cope with a complicated design.

Nice work, folks. Tweakie, may I ask how large the "Rocket" plaque is and how long it took with the (what size) cutter? I'm interested since I'm thinking of purchasing that for myself.

[Tweakie.CNC]

Hi Budman68,

Size of MDF is 290 mm x 100 mm, size of 'Rocket' pocket is approx. 170 mm x 60 mm.
Cutter used was 3.5 mm diameter.
Total time taken for Rocket and Wheel approx. 2 .5 Hours. ( I use a low speed spindle ).

Tweakie.

[budman68]

Wow, you weren't kidding, that is quite a bit of time for that size, indeed.

Thanks for the info - 

[Tweakie.CNC]

Hi Budman68,

Now that I have had more time to trial 'Cut2D' and to be fair to Vectric - I conclude that the excessive time to pocket the 'Rocket plaque' is mainly due to the feed rates and 'ramp plunge' rates set in the example as I am pretty sure that it was intended to be made in metal not MDF. Secondary is the high number of closed loop tool paths caused by Vectric's pocketing algorithm. I just increased the Mach3 feed rate to 200% and started cutting.

I would be very interested to hear what times others have for machining these examples.

Tweakie.