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equipment:woodshop:woodcnc [2024/03/07 17:38] – Spelling and grammar davecequipment:woodshop:woodcnc [2025/03/22 16:37] (current) – fraserh
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 2D and 2.5 are nearly the same thing. 2D refers to the machine running in the X, side to side, and the Y, front to back, directions only. This assumes you are cutting through or dragging along your material at the same depth the entire time. This is very similar to a vinyl cutter where you have the Y running by pulling the vinyl in and out of the machine and your X going across with a knife, and that knife is stable. It's not moving up and down.  2D and 2.5 are nearly the same thing. 2D refers to the machine running in the X, side to side, and the Y, front to back, directions only. This assumes you are cutting through or dragging along your material at the same depth the entire time. This is very similar to a vinyl cutter where you have the Y running by pulling the vinyl in and out of the machine and your X going across with a knife, and that knife is stable. It's not moving up and down. 
  
-2.5D machining indicates that the features of the item are being created at different depths depending upon the feature. Vectors can be used as accent features, not just as cutouts, a pocket inside an item which was later cut out would be indicative of 2.5D machining.+2.5D machining indicates that the features of the item are being created at different depths depending upon the feature. Vectors can be used as accent features, not just as cut-outs, a pocket inside an item which was later cut out would be indicative of 2.5D machining.
  
 3D tool paths are created off 3D models. Depending upon the software you're using, you'll be able to see the 3D model of your design part, that part and your inputting of tool paths will create situations where the machine is moving in all three axes at once. 3D tool paths are created off 3D models. Depending upon the software you're using, you'll be able to see the 3D model of your design part, that part and your inputting of tool paths will create situations where the machine is moving in all three axes at once.
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 ===Creating a design in Carbide Create=== ===Creating a design in Carbide Create===
-At the time of writing the latest version of Carbide Create is V7 build 764.+At the time of writing the latest version of Carbide Create is V8 build 813.
  
-The is just a basic How-To to get you started. There are links at the bottom the the page to a series of videos from Carbide 3D as well as their full written manual. The manual is for a slightly older version but most of the important parts are the same.+The is just a basic How-To guide to get you started. There are links at the bottom of the page to a series of videos from Carbide 3D as well as their full written manual.
  
 When you first open Carbide Create you will be presented with the design screen. This is where you create/import your design before setting up the toolpaths for the machine to cut. The white grid is your workspace and there are several buttons on the left hand side you can use for changing settings or drawing vectors.  When you first open Carbide Create you will be presented with the design screen. This is where you create/import your design before setting up the toolpaths for the machine to cut. The white grid is your workspace and there are several buttons on the left hand side you can use for changing settings or drawing vectors. 
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 Hovering your mouse over any of the buttons brings up a tooltip with a brief description of what it does. Hovering your mouse over any of the buttons brings up a tooltip with a brief description of what it does.
  
-== Stock and machine settings ==+\\ 
 + 
 +=== Stock and machine settings ===
  
 The first step is to enter your stock and machine settings. The first step is to enter your stock and machine settings.
  
-Click on the settings icon.+Click on the 'Job Setup' icon.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_mainscreen_settingsbutton.jpg?direct|}}+{{:equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_settings_button.png?400|}} 
 + 
 +\\
  
 This brings up the 'Job Setup' box. This brings up the 'Job Setup' box.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_jobsetup.jpg?direct|}}+{{:equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_jobsetup.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 +\\
  
 Enter the width and height of your material(stock). Once applied this will also update the grid on the design screen to match. Enter the width and height of your material(stock). Once applied this will also update the grid on the design screen to match.
  
-Enter the stock thickness, if you are cutting all the way through it then it's very important to get this correct. The 'Zero Height' dropdown has two options, Top or Bottom. This corresponds to where you set the zero point on the machine (more on this later). The default is Top.+Enter the stock thickness, if you are cutting all the way through it then it's very important to get this correct. 
  
-The Toolpath Zero drop down allows you to select where in relation to your design you are going to set the zero point on the machine. This might sound complicated but it should become clear when we cover setting the workspace zero point on the machine. The default is Lower-Left.+The next two options refer to what is called the 'Zero Point'. In basic terms the zero height is the reference point for the tool's vertical position, usually set at the top of the stock, while the toolpath zero is the origin point for all tool movements, typically set at the bottom-left the stock.
  
-Under the 'Job' section select the material type you are working with, please note that even though Aluminium is an option metal is not permitted to be cut on this machine. Machine should be set to Shapeoko 3. Retract Height is the height the cutting bit will lift up above the stock when moving from one position to another, the default of 5mm is normally fine. The 'Units' dropdown allows you to change between millimetres and inches for your measurements and grid layout.+For this example we will be setting the Zero Height to 'Top' and the Toolpath Zero to 'Lower-Left'. 
 + 
 +Under the 'Job' section select the material type you are working with, please note that, even though Aluminium is an option, metal is not permitted to be cut on this machine. The Machine dropdown should be set to Shapeoko 3.  
 + 
 +Retract Height is the height the cutting bit will lift up above the stock when moving from one position to another, the default of 5mm is normally fine.  
 + 
 +The 'Units' dropdown allows you to change between millimetres and inches for your measurements and grid layout.
  
 Once you have finished click 'Ok'. You should see that the white grid has changed to match the stock dimensions you entered. Once you have finished click 'Ok'. You should see that the white grid has changed to match the stock dimensions you entered.
  
-== Creating a basic design == +\\
-Now you can use the 'Crete Vector' buttons to make basic designs.+
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_createvector.jpg?direct|}} +=== Creating a basic design ===
  
-For this example we are going to draw a square 150mm X 150mm which will be the outer line of our design.+Now we are going to use the 'Create Vector' buttons in the left hand tool bar to make a basic design.
  
-Click on the create rectangle tool, click once on the grid to select the centre of the rectangle then move your cursor to set the size of the rectangle and click again to finish. You don't have to worry about getting the square the correct size or in the correct place when drawing it as these can be easily changed later.+{{:equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_createvector.jpg?direct|}} 
  
-With the rectangle drawn and selected you will then see more options in the toolbar on the left.+\\
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_shapeparam.jpg?direct|}}+For this example we are going to draw a square 150mm X 150mm which will be the outer edge of our design.
  
-In the 'Parameters' section you can specify the physical size as well as specific parameters for a particular shape, like the corner style and radius for a rectangle.+Click on the rectangle tool, click once on the grid to select the centre of the rectangle then move your cursor to set the size of the rectangle and click again to finish. You don't have to worry about getting the square the correct size or in the correct place when drawing it as these can be easily changed later.
  
-The 'Transform' section has several tools to like move, scale, rotate and mirror. I want the square to be positioned in the lower corner but spaced away from the edge slightly. Selecting the 'Move' option gives me the following parameters.+With the rectangle selected you will then see more options displayed in the toolbar on the left.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_move.jpg?direct|}}+{{:equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_shapeparam.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 +\\ 
 + 
 +In the 'Parameters' section you can specify the physical size as well as specific parameters for a particular shape. We will set both the width and height to be 150mm. 
 + 
 +The 'Transform' section has several tools like move, scale, rotate and mirror.  
 + 
 +The 'Edit' section has tools to edit the vector and add tabs, more on tabs below. 
 + 
 +Remember, hovering you cursor over any of the buttons brings up a quick description of what the button does. 
 + 
 +I want the square to be positioned in the lower corner but spaced away from the edge slightly. Selecting the 'Move' {{:equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_move_button.png?|}}option gives me the following parameters. 
 + 
 +{{:equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_move.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 +\\
  
 The Anchor point selection allows you to choose what point on the shape to use for the measurements. The Position shows the location of the selected point in relation to the bottom left corner. X is how far the shape is away left to right and Y is the distance bottom to top. By selecting the anchor point in the lower left and specifying 10mm in both the X and Y boxes the square is moved 10mm away from both the lower and left edge of my stock. The Anchor point selection allows you to choose what point on the shape to use for the measurements. The Position shows the location of the selected point in relation to the bottom left corner. X is how far the shape is away left to right and Y is the distance bottom to top. By selecting the anchor point in the lower left and specifying 10mm in both the X and Y boxes the square is moved 10mm away from both the lower and left edge of my stock.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_mainscreen_square.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_mainscreen_square.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 +\\
  
 For the sake of simplicity I will not be covering any of the other 'Transform' tools, watch the video tutorials or read the manual if you want to know more about these options. For the sake of simplicity I will not be covering any of the other 'Transform' tools, watch the video tutorials or read the manual if you want to know more about these options.
  
-== Edit Tabs ==+\\ 
 + 
 +=== Edit Tabs ===
 In the 'Edit' section there are some more tools, the only one we will cover now is the Edit Tabs option. In the 'Edit' section there are some more tools, the only one we will cover now is the Edit Tabs option.
 +
 +{{:equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_edit_tabs.png?400|}}
 +
 +\\
  
 If you are cutting a part out from a larger piece of stock that it clamped in place it is important that your part doesn't become separated from the rest of your stock. If I were just to cut out that 150x150mm square entirely it would become loose inside the machine possible moving and jamming the bit. This could result in the bit breaking and/or the workpiece being catapulted into the air. If you are cutting a part out from a larger piece of stock that it clamped in place it is important that your part doesn't become separated from the rest of your stock. If I were just to cut out that 150x150mm square entirely it would become loose inside the machine possible moving and jamming the bit. This could result in the bit breaking and/or the workpiece being catapulted into the air.
  
-The easiest way to ensure a part you want to fully cut out doesn't become loose is to tell the machine to leave it attached by a few small tabs. These tabs can then be manually cut and sanded flat once the CNC job is complete. There are other ways of clamping that mitigate this issue, like double sided tape, but this How-To is assuming you are using the supplied clamping kit.+The easiest way to ensure a part you want to fully cut out doesn't become loose is to tell the machine to leave it attached by a few small tabs. These tabs can then be manually cut and sanded flat once the CNC job is complete.
  
-Selecting the 'Edit Tabs' option will allow you to click anywhere along a vector line to place a tab. You can also click the 'Clear all tabs' button to delete all the tabs. I will click roughly on the midpoint of each line of the square to add a tab, we will specify the physical sizes in a later step.+Selecting the 'Edit Tabs' option will allow you to click anywhere along a vector line to place a tab. You can also click the 'Clear all tabs' button to delete all the tabs. I will click roughly on the midpoint of each line of the square to add a tab, we will specify the physical sizes when copnfiguring the tool paths later.
  
 Tabs added to the square. Tabs added to the square.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_mainscreen_tabs.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_mainscreen_tabs.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 +\\ 
 + 
 +=== Importing designs === 
 +On the main design screen, just below the Create Vector section is the Import section. If you don't see this section make sure you don't have and vectors selected on the design screen.
  
-== Importing designs == +{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_mainscreen_import.jpg?direct|}}
-On the main design screen, just below the Create Vector section is the Import section.+
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_mainscreen_import.jpg?direct|}}+\\
  
 As the title suggest, this allows you to import designs. The 'Import' button allows you to import vector files, like SVG's from your computer. The 'Trace Image' allows you to import an image file and trace around its outline to convert it into a vector file. The 'Library' button opens the built in Design Library that has a selection of basic shapes and more complicated designs. Double click a design in the library to import it. As the title suggest, this allows you to import designs. The 'Import' button allows you to import vector files, like SVG's from your computer. The 'Trace Image' allows you to import an image file and trace around its outline to convert it into a vector file. The 'Library' button opens the built in Design Library that has a selection of basic shapes and more complicated designs. Double click a design in the library to import it.
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 For this design I am going to import the Hackspace logo the adjust its size and position to centre it within the square. Select 'Import' and navigate to the file location on your PC. The vector drawing will then immediately be imported into your design space. For this design I am going to import the Hackspace logo the adjust its size and position to centre it within the square. Select 'Import' and navigate to the file location on your PC. The vector drawing will then immediately be imported into your design space.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_mainscreen_logoimport.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_mainscreen_logoimport.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 +\\
  
 Something to note is because this file contains two vector drawings and both are selected another section becomes visible in the left hand tool bar. Something to note is because this file contains two vector drawings and both are selected another section becomes visible in the left hand tool bar.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_bool.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_bool.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 + 
 +\\
  
-The Boolean section has tools to combine separate vector drawings whilst doing things like cutting one shape from another or only keeping parts that overlay. Please refer to the manual for more details.+The Boolean section has tools to combine and separate vector drawings as well as functions like cutting one shape from another or only keeping parts that overlay. Please refer to the manual for more details.
  
 For this particular design I want the cog outline but not the big H inside it, so I will click on an empty space to deselect the two vectors then click on the H to select just the H and hit Delete on my keyboard to delete it. For this particular design I want the cog outline but not the big H inside it, so I will click on an empty space to deselect the two vectors then click on the H to select just the H and hit Delete on my keyboard to delete it.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_mainscreen_coxsquaremisaligned.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_mainscreen_coxsquaremisaligned.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 +\\
  
 I can now click on the cog outline to select it and use the 'Transform' tools to move it and resize it. I will select 'Scale' and resize it to 140mm X 140mm.  I can now click on the cog outline to select it and use the 'Transform' tools to move it and resize it. I will select 'Scale' and resize it to 140mm X 140mm. 
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 To align it with the square I could use the move tool and work out the position relative to the stock bottom left corner but the easier way is to use the align tool. To align it with the square I could use the move tool and work out the position relative to the stock bottom left corner but the easier way is to use the align tool.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_shapeparam_align.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_shapeparam_align.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 + 
 +\\
  
-This can work in a couple of ways. If one vector is selected then it can align it to the stock, if two vectors are selected you can align one vector with another. The last vector to be selected is the vector that the other are aligned to. In our case we want to align the cog with the square so I will select the cog first and the square last. +This can work in a couple of ways. If one vector is selected then it can align it to the stock, if two vectors are selected you can align one vector with another. The last vector to be selected is the vector that the others are aligned to. In our case we want to align the cog with the square so I will select the cog first and the square last. 
  
 Click on the cog first then hold the Shift key and click on the square so both are now selected.  Click on the cog first then hold the Shift key and click on the square so both are now selected. 
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 Click on the Align tool button and the 'Align / Space' tool bar will show. Click on the Align tool button and the 'Align / Space' tool bar will show.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_align.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_align.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 +\\
  
 The 'Align Reference' has defaulted to Last Selection automatically because we have more than one vector selected. The cog should have a solid line and the square should have a dotted line showing that the cog will be moved to align with the square. The 'Align Reference' has defaulted to Last Selection automatically because we have more than one vector selected. The cog should have a solid line and the square should have a dotted line showing that the cog will be moved to align with the square.
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 We want to align the centres so we are going to select the middle button in the 'Align Centres' section to align the cog in the centre of the square in both the X (side to side) and Y (top to bottom) axis. We want to align the centres so we are going to select the middle button in the 'Align Centres' section to align the cog in the centre of the square in both the X (side to side) and Y (top to bottom) axis.
  
-The cog is not aligned with the outer square.+The cog is now aligned with the outer square. 
 + 
 +{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_mainscreen_coxsquarealigned.jpg?direct|}}
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_mainscreen_coxsquarealigned.jpg?direct|}}+\\
  
 The last thing we are going to do it add some text inside the cog. In the 'Create Vector' section in the tool bar we are going to click the 'Create Text' tool. The last thing we are going to do it add some text inside the cog. In the 'Create Vector' section in the tool bar we are going to click the 'Create Text' tool.
  
-This opens the Create Test toolbar and adds the text to the centre of your design space.+This opens the Create Text toolbar and adds the text to the centre of your design space.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_mainscreen_text.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_mainscreen_text.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 +\\
  
 You can then use the tools on the left to input the text you want, select font size and spacing, change the alignment of the text change it from straight text to arcing text. For my design I am going to use the parameters below. You can then use the tools on the left to input the text you want, select font size and spacing, change the alignment of the text change it from straight text to arcing text. For my design I am going to use the parameters below.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_mainscreen_text_param.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_mainscreen_text_param.jpg?direct|}} 
 + 
 +\\
  
 I can then use the same steps from above to align the test with the centre of the cog or square. I can then use the same steps from above to align the test with the centre of the cog or square.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_finished_design.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_finished_design.jpg?direct|}}
  
-For this How-To the design is not complete. The next step is to generate the toolpaths for the machine.+\\ 
 + 
 +For this How-To the design is now complete. The next step is to generate the toolpaths for the machine.
  
 Don't forget to save your work by clicking on File - Save. Don't forget to save your work by clicking on File - Save.
 +
 +\\
  
 ===Generating toolpaths in Carbide Create=== ===Generating toolpaths in Carbide Create===
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 Select the 'Toolpaths' tab in the left hand toolbar. Select the 'Toolpaths' tab in the left hand toolbar.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpath_screen.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpath_screen.jpg?direct|}}
  
 There are a number of different 2D toolpaths available, for our design we will be using the Contour, Pocket and VCarve toolpaths. There are a number of different 2D toolpaths available, for our design we will be using the Contour, Pocket and VCarve toolpaths.
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 To cut our design out we first need to pocket out the cog shape, carve the text into the bottom of the pocket then finally cut around the outside of our design. You should create your toolpaths in the same order you plan to run the actually cutting jobs on the machine.  To cut our design out we first need to pocket out the cog shape, carve the text into the bottom of the pocket then finally cut around the outside of our design. You should create your toolpaths in the same order you plan to run the actually cutting jobs on the machine. 
  
-SO our first step is to pocket out the cog shape. Click on the cog vector line so it is selected. Click on 'Pocket' in the Toolpaths section of the toolbar. You will get a popup asking you to confirm if you want to use the currently selected item. Click 'Use Current Selection'.+So our first step is to pocket out the cog shape. Click on the cog vector line so it is selected. Click on 'Pocket' in the Toolpaths section of the toolbar. You will get a popup asking you to confirm if you want to use the currently selected item. Click 'Use Current Selection'.
  
 You will now see the Pocket toolpath parameters. You will now see the Pocket toolpath parameters.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpath_pocket.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpath_pocket.jpg?direct|}}
  
 The first step is to select the tool/bit you are using. Carbide Create has a tool library where each bit is already configured with the recommended Speeds & Feeds for that particular bit used with a particular material type. The Hackspace provides a small selection of bits that are equivalent to the some of the bits in the tool library. We recommend you stick to using this bits until you are more confident with using the machine. The first step is to select the tool/bit you are using. Carbide Create has a tool library where each bit is already configured with the recommended Speeds & Feeds for that particular bit used with a particular material type. The Hackspace provides a small selection of bits that are equivalent to the some of the bits in the tool library. We recommend you stick to using this bits until you are more confident with using the machine.
  
-I want to perform the pocket with a 1/8" ball nose endmill to give the edge of the pocket a rounder shape and give the bottom of teh pocket an interesting texture. +I want to perform the pocket with a 1/8" ball nose endmill to give the edge of the pocket a rounder shape and give the bottom of the pocket an interesting texture. 
  
 To select your tool click on the 'Edit' button in the 'Tool' section in the left hand toolbar. This will bring up the 'Edit Tool' pop-up. To select your tool click on the 'Edit' button in the 'Tool' section in the left hand toolbar. This will bring up the 'Edit Tool' pop-up.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpath_edittool.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpath_edittool.jpg?direct|}}
  
 In this window you can override some of the default setting for the tool, we are going to use all the default settings for our design. In this window you can override some of the default setting for the tool, we are going to use all the default settings for our design.
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 The top section allows you to change the selected tool by clicking the the 'Select Tool' button. This brings up the Tool Library. The top section allows you to change the selected tool by clicking the the 'Select Tool' button. This brings up the Tool Library.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpath_toollib.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpath_toollib.jpg?direct|}}
  
 The tools are separated into different categories based on the material you will be cutting. Again please note that even though there is a Aluminium category cutting metal on this CNC is not permitted.  The tools are separated into different categories based on the material you will be cutting. Again please note that even though there is a Aluminium category cutting metal on this CNC is not permitted. 
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 The tool I want to use is the 1/4 Ball Endmill which had the equivalent tool number #202. My material is a hardwood so I will navigate to the 'Carbide 3D-Shapeoko-Hardwood' - 'Ball Mills' - '#202 Ball Mill (1/4")', as shown in the image above, and click on OK. This takes us back to the 'Edit Tool' window where we can click 'OK' to finish selecting the tool. The tool I want to use is the 1/4 Ball Endmill which had the equivalent tool number #202. My material is a hardwood so I will navigate to the 'Carbide 3D-Shapeoko-Hardwood' - 'Ball Mills' - '#202 Ball Mill (1/4")', as shown in the image above, and click on OK. This takes us back to the 'Edit Tool' window where we can click 'OK' to finish selecting the tool.
  
-The next selection down in the 'Pocket Toolpath' tool bar is 'Vectors'. We don not need to make any changes here as we already selected the vectors we want to pocket out.+The next selection down in the 'Pocket Toolpath' tool bar is 'Vectors'. We do not need to make any changes here as we already selected the vectors we want to pocket out.
  
 The next section down is the 'Cutting Depth' section. Here we can set the start and max depth of the pocket. If you recall further up when we configured our stock we set the Zero Height to the top of our stock. This means that the Start Depth for this pocket will be at 0 mm, which is the top of out stock. I want the pocket to be a depth of 10 mm so will set the Max Depth to 10 mm. The next section down is the 'Cutting Depth' section. Here we can set the start and max depth of the pocket. If you recall further up when we configured our stock we set the Zero Height to the top of our stock. This means that the Start Depth for this pocket will be at 0 mm, which is the top of out stock. I want the pocket to be a depth of 10 mm so will set the Max Depth to 10 mm.
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 Once you are happy with your chosen parameters click 'OK' and you will be taken back to the Toolpath screen. You will then see your newly created toolpath listed in the box in the toolbar, including an estimation of how long this particular job will take to complete,  as well as seeing a representation of the toolpath showing the path the cutting bit will take.  Once you are happy with your chosen parameters click 'OK' and you will be taken back to the Toolpath screen. You will then see your newly created toolpath listed in the box in the toolbar, including an estimation of how long this particular job will take to complete,  as well as seeing a representation of the toolpath showing the path the cutting bit will take. 
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpath_preview.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpath_preview.jpg?direct|}}
  
 The next step is the text VCarve. Like before we are going to select the vector we want to work with, the text "Hack" in this instance, then click the VCarve button in the Toolpaths section of the tool bar. As before we need to confirm that we have selected the vectors we want to work with by clicking on @Use Current Selection' when the popup opens up. This will open up the VCarve Toolpath parameters that look fairly identical to the Pocket parameters.  The next step is the text VCarve. Like before we are going to select the vector we want to work with, the text "Hack" in this instance, then click the VCarve button in the Toolpaths section of the tool bar. As before we need to confirm that we have selected the vectors we want to work with by clicking on @Use Current Selection' when the popup opens up. This will open up the VCarve Toolpath parameters that look fairly identical to the Pocket parameters. 
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpath_vcarve.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpath_vcarve.jpg?direct|}}
  
 Like before we can click on 'Edit' in the 'Tool' section of the tool bar to select the required tool and material. In this case 'Carbide 3D-Shapeoko-Hardwood' - 'Vee' - '#302 Vee(60,0degrees)'. Like before we can click on 'Edit' in the 'Tool' section of the tool bar to select the required tool and material. In this case 'Carbide 3D-Shapeoko-Hardwood' - 'Vee' - '#302 Vee(60,0degrees)'.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpath_toollibvee.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpath_toollibvee.jpg?direct|}}
  
-We now need to make a change to the cutting depth. As we are VCarving on the bottom of a pocket cut-out we need to change the start depth to the same depth that we cut the pocket to. SO in this instance out start depth needs to be 10mm. We then need to change the Max Depth. The way VCarving works in Carbide Create is that regardless of what the Max Depth is set to the V bit will only go as deep as it needs to carve out the width of the text. The one cavate to this is if Max Depth is set to is set to a shallower depth the bit will only cut to the set shallower depth. For this design I will set the Max Depth to 15mm meaning the tip of the V bit will either cut to 5mm depth or until the width of the V bit fills the width of the text, whichever comes first.+We now need to make a change to the cutting depth. As we are VCarving on the bottom of a pocket cut-out we need to change the start depth to the same depth that we cut the pocket to. So in this instance our start depth needs to be 10mm. We then need to change the Max Depth. The way VCarving works in Carbide Create is that regardless of what the Max Depth is set to the V bit will only go as deep as it needs to carve out the width of the text. The one cavate to this is if Max Depth is set to is set to a shallower depth the bit will only cut to the set shallower depth. For this design I will set the Max Depth to 15mm meaning the tip of the V bit will either cut to 5mm depth or until the width of the V bit fills the width of the text, whichever comes first.
  
 As before, give it a suitable name and then click OK. This job should now appear under the 'Cog Pocket' job we previously setup and you should also see the preview lines within the text showing where the bit will cut. As before, give it a suitable name and then click OK. This job should now appear under the 'Cog Pocket' job we previously setup and you should also see the preview lines within the text showing where the bit will cut.
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 The Contour Toolpath parameters are very similar to what we have already seen but with a couple more options.  The Contour Toolpath parameters are very similar to what we have already seen but with a couple more options. 
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpath_contour.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpath_contour.jpg?direct|}}
  
 In the tool section we are going to click Edit then Select Tool and select the tool #102 End Mill (1/8") from the same Hardwood section we have used before. In the tool section we are going to click Edit then Select Tool and select the tool #102 End Mill (1/8") from the same Hardwood section we have used before.
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 The toolbar should now list the three job we have configured as shown below. The toolbar should now list the three job we have configured as shown below.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpathlist.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpathlist.jpg?direct|}}
  
 Below the list is the 'Simulation' section. This allows you to generate a simulation of what you stock will look like after the jobs are completed. The drop down allows you to change the material that is rendered in the simulation, changing this has no effect on any of the jobs. The checkboxes allows you to enable and disable some of the information shown in the simulation.  Below the list is the 'Simulation' section. This allows you to generate a simulation of what you stock will look like after the jobs are completed. The drop down allows you to change the material that is rendered in the simulation, changing this has no effect on any of the jobs. The checkboxes allows you to enable and disable some of the information shown in the simulation. 
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 Clicking on 'Show Simulation' should bring up a render similar to the one below, I selected Beech for the render. Clicking on 'Show Simulation' should bring up a render similar to the one below, I selected Beech for the render.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpath_sim1.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpath_sim1.jpg?direct|}}
  
 You can use the left mouse button to rotate the view and the right mouse button to drag the view. If you rotate it you will be able to see the toolpath preview showing the pocket and contour being cut with several passes at slightly different depths. You can use the left mouse button to rotate the view and the right mouse button to drag the view. If you rotate it you will be able to see the toolpath preview showing the pocket and contour being cut with several passes at slightly different depths.
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 To get a better view of what your part will look like you can use the checkboxes on the 'Simulation' section of the toolbar to turn off the lines representing the toolpaths and rapid movements, this should leave you with a similar render to the one below, if you look closely around the edge you can also see the tabs, there is also one along the top and bottom you cant see due to the angle. To get a better view of what your part will look like you can use the checkboxes on the 'Simulation' section of the toolbar to turn off the lines representing the toolpaths and rapid movements, this should leave you with a similar render to the one below, if you look closely around the edge you can also see the tabs, there is also one along the top and bottom you cant see due to the angle.
  
-{{:equipment:woodshop:carbide_create_toolpath_sim2.jpg?direct|}}+{{equipment:woodshop:woodcnc:carbide_create_toolpath_sim2.jpg?direct|}}
  
 We are now finished designing out part and configuring all the toolpaths. We are now finished designing out part and configuring all the toolpaths.
  • equipment/woodshop/woodcnc.1709833121
  • Last modified: 5 months ago
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