Assignment

Computer-Controlled Machining

This week is defferent!! We are planning to make somthing big! using our amazing CNC Routre machine. During Nile's lecture I imagined that I'll make furniture parts and do somthing cool.

In our FABLAB, we have Shopbot The Full Size PRSalpha CNC (96 inchs x 48 inchs x 6 inchs) with their softwares (VCarve and shopbot)

VCarve is used to generate the suitable file for the CNC out of any design file (I used pdf and svg) and the output will be like Gcode. The shopbot software is used to run the machine and send the file that generated by VCarve. I did some tests to explain the speed and different jobs like (profile, pocket, and drilling)

Then I moved forward to start designing the part that I thought about. It's creative table consists of 6 parts and you can arrange them in different ways to make the full shape and form. The following picture shows the designs and will be clear more in the next photos after setting it up and butting the parts togather

Then I saved the design file as pdf to import it using VCarve software. I opend VCarve software once again and clicked on file>>new then I changed the settings according to the machine dimension and my file (2400mm * 1200 mm). Also, I have to change the thickness, I'm using 18mm MDF sheet and finally the start point.

Dealing with such machines, you have to know more about the bits and cutting method because it's totally different from one way to another. I planned to make the cut using V-bit. So. I can get carved edges (cutting with slop)

I'v selected all the parts (6 parts) and clicked on porfile to make the cutting. As for the cut settings , first I determined the cut depth 18.7 mm to ensure the cut to be more than sheet thickness (18mm)

I set the number of passes as 3 so it will finish the cut by passing over the edges 3 times and the depth for each one will be 18.7/3 mm. I selected outside to cut the same outer dimensions

I set the number of passes as 3 so it will finish the cut by passing over the edges 3 times and the depth for each one will be 18.7/3 mm. I selected outside to cut the same outer dimensions

then I moved to select the bit that I'm going to use (V-bit) 60 degree which was defined before as we defined all the bits that we have to use them directlly

Finlly, I got the file ready to import in the Shopbot software. Befor saving the file, the program shows us the passes and router movement as shown below

I purchased table legs from IKEA Store in order to fix them to complete the project