Computer-Controlled Machining

Assignment: Make something BIG

Chair cut from one sheet of 12mm plywood.

Designing

1. Designing the chair in Abode Illustrator was a mistake giving it is not most accurate design tool.
2. Import initial design from Abode Illustrator to Rhino3d
3. Wood connection resource: Digital-Wood-Joints

First design and snap fit sample

PartWorks

Preparing vector design

1. Save drawing as a DXF
2. Open PartWorks 2d on ShopBot
3. Open the dxf file to cut
4. Enter material size width and length
5. Enter material thickness
6. Set zero (I set my zero to the top of the material)
7. Remove the default check "Use origin zero"
8. Confirm that the size of your image was exported correctly otherwise you will have to use the option in the path screen to scale
9. Select the regions to machine, for example, drill holes to hold down the material.
10. Specify the tool details and calculated toolpaths.
11. Preview the job.
12. Save each toolpath in a seperate file. I usually add a number to the file name so I remember the order, for example, 1DrillPath 2MillPocket 3CutOutline

ShopBot

Cutting design

1. Go to abs zero of machine
2. Place material on bed of ShopBot
3. Jog spindle to appropriate zero position (K - key opens jogging window)
4. Record x and y value then zero x and y axis
5. Put in selected end mill
6. Zero z axis with magnetic bar
7. Start vacuum
8. Load file
9. Start spindle

Testing Design

Confirming the calculations of chairs crossbar clips

Steaming wood with iron to achieve wanted bend in wood.

Final Design and Chair

Lessons learned

1. Design with known material size otherwise you will be redrawing design.
2. Test cuts on ShopBot on the endmills and material of your final design.
3. Record x and y axis position always before zeroing machine.
4. Plan and follow a workflow of each stage of cutting on ShopBot.