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7. Computer controlled machining

Group Assignment

Instruction

group assignment

  • do your lab’s safety training
  • test runout, alignment, fixturing, speeds, feeds, materials, and toolpaths for your machine

individual assignment

What I week this week

  • Learn how to use machine safely and test runout, alignment, fixturing, speeds, feeds, materials, and toolpaths for your machine → in this page
  • Ideate and design something big →Individual Page
  • Milling by CNC machine →Individual Page
  • Varnish and assemble →Individual Page

CNC Router and software I used

  • CNC router : ZN1325
  • Tool path maker : Vectric Cut2D Pro
  • G-code sender :Mach3

Safety Instructions

Safety was especially important for this week. Through the Wednesday class, I learned the risk and danger of CNC router. Tamiya-san gave me the lecture of how to use the CNC router.

safe.png

CNC workflow

Setup CNC machine

  • Launch Cut2D and create new file
  • seting up about material parameter

    materialsetup

  • make toopath : set drilling position and cutting depth for fixing board

    cut2d_drilling.jpeg

  • Save these data as .tap file

  • Launch Mach3 and load .tap file

    mach3.jpeg

CNC machine setting and milling

  • set the position of material (wooden plate) on the bed of CNC before fixing
  • set x-y-z origin at the corner of the material ( or any other appropriate position ), and set x0/y0/z0 in Mach3
  • fix the material on the bed by screwing

    screwing.jpg

CNC machine is ready.

Test

On my computer

  • make 2D/3D CAD file : Fusion 360
  • the content of test will be described later

    testfusion

  • Export file as .ai /.dxf

    • if choose .ai, save as “Illustrator CS”
    • Check ”Create pdf compatible file” in save setting
  • load .ai file in Cut2D

  • setting the tool (mill) information and “tabs” to support the material. selecting outside or inside is important

    cut2d_path.jpeg

  • edit Tool (depth, stepover, speed, feedrate)

    setting_excerpt.jpg

  • press “calcurate”

  • set z-origin about 20 mm above the material surface, then, perform “air path” to check the tool path on CNC.
  • set z-origin on the material surface ( by using paper to check the contact between tool tip and the material)
  • wear the protective glassed and soundproof headphone
  • start milling ( be prepared to push the stop button, in case of emergency )
  • during the milling, check the wooden chips and the noise, then control the parameters such as feed rate, spindle speed, etc.
  • after the milling completed, clean the material surface

    test.jpeg

  • cut the “tabs”, pick up the parts.

  • remove the material and sacrifice plate, then clean the CNC and room.

Milling Test

  • scaling milled board and compare real scale with designed scale

    test_scaling.jpg

  • check

    • runout : turned out 6mm in the test which is equal to the thread diameter
    • alignment : adjust positioning of end mill on the board and calibrate it
    • fixturing : fixed board by screwing
    • speeds : no problem to cut the material in 6500 rpm
    • feeds : no problem to cut the material in 840 mm/min
    • materials : plywood
    • toolpaths : setting as mentioned above

Tab and Pocket Test

  • check whether pocket and dogbone can work or not
  • Prepare a sample of the pockets I will use in my design
  • load it to cut2D
  • select only the inside hole and set these parameters. be carefull for selecting “machine vector : inside”

    test1.jpeg

  • export to .tap file and load it in Mach3

  • milling the board to make holes
  • After milling holes, choose only outside of the parts and set up parameters. In this time, select “Outside” in machine vectors

    test2.jpeg

  • milling the board

  • milling completely

    pocket_test.jpeg

  • inspect the hole to be cut clearly and completely

    pocket.jpeg

  • detach tabs from the parts

  • test to assemble tab with pocket

    assemble.gif

  • got to assemble perfect

    assemble test.jpg

Making something big

Individual Assignment

What I learn in this week

-> Individual Assignment


Last update: June 3, 2022