Engrave on a curved surface

[keebler303]

Can Artcam pro do v carving on a curved piece? I want to engrave some chair backs and i need to figure out if artcam can do it from a dxf and then specify the radius of curvature.

Thanks
Matt

[todd71]

I dont think it can. V carving is a 2D toolpath. You could make the curve with a 2 rail sweep and apply the feature using the triangle form subtracted into the curve. Then machine the whole thing, or just the feature if the curve is already done, as a relief.

Todd

[Stepper Monkey]

Artcam does indeed have engraving features, with several ways to do this sort of thing. I have used them quite a bit for v-bit carving in the past, but seldom on irregularly curved objects.
Getting a toolpath generated to do this is easy, getting the curve you program in to exactly match the curve of your actual workpiece is nigh impossible. With a v-bit even a few thousandths change in depth will obviously change the width of the cut as well, so even very minor changes in depth are noticable.
I don't work with routers at all, but perhaps there is some kind of feedback sensor for controlling depth stop, or even a weighted/springloaded telescoping toolholder to keep even pressure - and therefore depth of cuts - over uneven surfaces? How is this problem normally solved? I have always wondered!

[keebler303]

thanks guys i think i have gotten what i want with feature machining and just using a v bit, even though it isn't a v carving toolpath.

Matt

[Stepper Monkey]

You can also try using the "machine along vector" toolpathing tool. It is a very simple way to do the same thing. It just follows the vector lines - like a pen plotter path - all you set is the depth.

[MRicht]

Originally Posted by Stepper Monkey Artcam does indeed have engraving features, with several ways to do this sort of thing. I have used them quite a bit for v-bit carving in the past, but seldom on irregularly curved objects. Getting a toolpath generated to do this is easy, getting the curve you program in to exactly match the curve of your actual workpiece is nigh impossible. With a v-bit even a few thousandths change in depth will obviously change the width of the cut as well, so even very minor changes in depth are noticable. I don't work with routers at all, but perhaps there is some kind of feedback sensor for controlling depth stop, or even a weighted/springloaded telescoping toolholder to keep even pressure - and therefore depth of cuts - over uneven surfaces? How is this problem normally solved? I have always wondered!

Check this out:
http://www.2linc.com/spring_loaded_engraving_tool.htm

[suwat]

"machine along vector" can not ... any new update ? to cut along vector on curve surface