Computer-Controlled Machining
Week 07
Machines and Materials
Softwares
Files
Group Assignments
During this week we are going to be using Computer-Controlled Machining, in our lab we currently have a Shopbot CNC with a table of 122 x 244 cm. The weekly assignment consist of "making something big" in the CNC and using different types of joints.
Individual Assigment
Make (design+mill+assemble) something big.
I followed the next steps to my assignment.
1- I decided to make a chair inpired in the Wicker techinique used by local craftman in Latin America and in many other countries around the glob.
![](images/week7/cnc1-01.png)
2- Sketch
3- I 3D modeled my design unsign Rhino
![](images/week7/cnc3.png)
4- To have a better idea I made a quick render in Keyshot.
![](images/week7/cnc4.png)
5- Start preparing the file. In Rhino I used the "make 2D" option to get the vector of my model and I manually nested it into a 122 x 244 cm. In the past I've had problems when exporting straight from Rhino (the machine cant find the origin or the orintation) to avoid this I always open it in Illustrator and from there export it into DXF.
![](images/week7/cnc5.png)
![](images/week7/cnc6-01.png)
Setting up the Shopbot
![](images/week7/cnc9.png)
1. We start by securing the material in the table with some screws. We secure every corner to prevent the material from moving.
![](images/week7/cnc10.png)
2. Open the Shopbot panel
The panel will look like this:
![](images/week7/cnc12.png)
3. Click on the "yellow" icon, to move the car and set the X and Y origin.
![](images/week7/cnc11.png)
4. Place the plate under the spindle a clip the nut.
5. Click on the "Z" icon. A window will pop and when ready click "ok".
After the Z sense is done, click "ok" and remove the plate and clip.
![](images/week7/cnc13.png)
6. Open V Carve Pro, and set up the sheet according to your design.
First the material size, then the material thicknes, and the starting point or origin.
![](images/week7/cnc14.png)
7. When done setting up the material, click on tootlpath and for cuts we use the first icon.
![](images/week7/cnc15.png)
8. Set up the cutting depth (usally 1 mm more than the material thickness)
- Select the tool and the pases. (one pass should be same as the radio)
- Add tabs (small conexions that prevent your pieces to move)
- Press calculate.
![](images/week7/cnc16.png)
9. Save it
Open the shopbot panel> cut part> open.
10. Press START.
![](images/week7/cnc17.png)
Final result!
![](images/week7/cnc7.png)
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