Trouble creating toolpaths for Crown

[dcd121]

Chris,
I fooled around with toolpathing your crown model and there is really nothing wrong with it. It is just a matter of milling those dental squares. The small size bit needed to get any detail is not practical (in my opinion) from a time standpoint. The molding minus the dental pieces is practical. I have made a few circular mirror frames which have a simpler profile but the same concept. I find that using the largest ballnose bit that is practical with a small stepover works best. I use a .5 flat end for roughing . The dental strip could be made separate with 2d profiling and applied. If that does not work I would use regions to isolate that area and use a small cutter in that area.

As far as carvings , if you can get your file into Rhino you can carve it. (sorry, I know you know that).

I am glad there is some action on this forum. The more Rhino/Madcam users the better.

Regards,
Dave
(furniture maker specializing in veneer)

[robinsoncr]

Dave,

Thanks for the feedback. You're right about the dentil detail. Originally, I was going to cut the dentil detail between blocks with a pocket routine or something similar but cut the overall profile beforehand.

I couldn't understand why I was having trouble with the error message. I've loaded and machined much larger files with many, many more complex surfaces without trouble.

I went in and tried simplifying the model and this did seem to help a little.

Are you using any software to create 3d carvings to use on furniture?

Chris

[dcd121]

Are you using any software to create 3d carvings to use on furniture?

Busted! No the nature of my work does not require carving . 98 % is 2d parts cut for veneer underlayment. cnc beats the heck out of running a hand router. My little nitch is curved forms surfaced with veneer that become tables,casegoods etc. Second is veneer inlay.

Have you tryed an models from this site?
http://www.carve3d.com/

Pickup an STL model and test it ( I think they have a few free ones)
Keep us posted.

Regards,
Dave

[turmite]

Originally Posted by robinsoncr Dave, I went in and tried simplifying the model and this did seem to help a little. Chris

Hi Chris,

I ask my questions to find out what you just told me. This is a learning experience and I think you are right for testing much both with Rhino and Madcam.

I was going to suggest that you rebuild your geometry in rhino as I found several things that would have made it easier to cut. I have been the past week and was basically in bed all day. I'm bored. Do you mind if I rebuild the profiles and the dentil section showing how I would make it? Sometimes different eyes see things from a much different view.

Mike

[turmite]

Hi Chris,

Attached is the rebuilt 3dm. I took all the extra surfaces, re-extruded and capped on the large section. I did the same on the dentil piece but I also booleen unioned the individual squares to the trim section making a single polysurface. I then copied it and move the dentil section down some. The two seperate sections is how I would machine it.

How much of this trim are you going to need? If very much, some custom ground cutters would sure benefit you.


"I couldn't understand why I was having trouble with the error message. I've loaded and machined much larger files with many, many more complex surfaces without trouble."

In regard to this statement, I personally think it may have been the extra surfaces, especially if you used a window for selection and selected everything Try the model I attached and see if it works for you.


Hey if I can be of further service let me know.

Mike