Cut3D is the simplest way to machine 3D models from CAD or Graphics design products such as AutoCAD, Rhino3D, 3D Studio, Silo, Lightwave etc.
Scanned data from laser or touch probe devices such as the MaxNC and ShopBot Digital Probes as well as the vast number of 3D models available off the Internet can also be machined quickly and easily.
Cut3D is incredibly easy to use and includes z level roughing, finishing and cut out toolpath strategies, interactive tab placement plus high quality preview rendering that make the software perfect for cutting 3D models.
Multi-sided Machining - Single, Double and Four Sided machining
You can test Cut3D for yourself by downloading the Fully Functional Trial version and cutting the free 3D evaluation models on your own machine. This version will also open your own 3D models, calculate toolpaths create stunning 3D preview images but does not save toolpaths for these models.
High quality Toolpath simulation
Models can be sliced into machinable pieces
Large / thick models that do not fit under the gantry on your machine or you don't have thick enough material can very easily be 'sliced' into thinner sections. For example, a 24" high model can be sliced into 12 x 2" thick pieces that can then be machined and assembled.
Interactive Tab placement to hold the job in place
Let us know if you have any qestions about the new software.
The model was definitely machined using the the 2 sided sided cutting strategy and there certainly aren't any undercuts left on the model.
One of the neat features in Cut3D is the option to 'overcut past the cut plane' so although you might have placed the cut plane in the middle of the car, using an overcut forces the cutter to machine further into the model = underneath the mirrors.
Looking at the preview for the Top Toolpath shows the material left under the mirrors. The second preview shows cutting from underneath the model, past the cut plane to remove the material from under the mirrors and door handles.
If you look at the rear spoiler on the F1 model you can see that it's sold because the cutter cannot get underneath this area.
You can test this for your self using the Trial version that will simulate the toolpaths and give the previews shown in the images attached.
Cut3D user Scott carved this 3D bowl into a material called HI-MAC (similar to corian) that he had left over from making kitchen countertops.
This is one of the evaluation files supplied with Cut3D that the toolpaths can be saved for. Scott rough machined this piece using a 1/4" End Mill and finished it using a 1/4" Ball Nose cutter.
If the 3D model is for a cavity then the software will cut the recessed mold but there isn't an option to automatically convert a raised model to a cavity.
If the model is simply the top face - no sides or closed back on the model - then you can orientate the model looking from the underside and machine the cavity. The easiest thing to do is try your models with the Free Trial version to see whether it does what you need. Or send your model to the Vectric Support e-mal address and we'll take a look.
Kayak designer and builder and Steve Ree (www.seawardkayaks.com) has just used Cut3D to machine a 19.5 foot long, 16 inch tall, 32 inch wide kayak plug (model for making the master mold) on his converted 20ft long with a 22inch Z plunge ShopBot router.
The Kayak was modelled in Rhino3D and he initially planned to use the 3D Slicing in Cut3D to make separate sections and assemble them to produce the master model. But he managed to machine the complete model in one go using the Z level roughing and raster finishing toolpath strategies.
The plug was machined from SM Foam using a 1/2 inch diameter by 6" long 4 flute bull nose bit running at 10000 rpm. It only took 21 hours to make verses about 200 hours by hand and it worked perfectly!
Steve commented "I can't stress enough how much time and money was saved opening up a 3D DXF file and letting Vectric's Cut3D calculate the roughing and finishing tool paths has saved us!"
"A huge applause and sincere thank-you go out to the team at Vectric for the ability to make this happen at an affordable price. Thank you."
ShopBot owner and Cut3D customer Brady Watson - braidmeister on the forum - has developed a high quality laser scanning setup that runs on his ShopBot router. He used Cut3D to machine this project for a customer.
The original hand carved panel was about 12" X 20" & Brady scaled it up to 48" X 80" in the software. The material is 2" thick Trupan Ultralight MDF and It took 3hrs to do the rough out passes and about 17hrs to do the finishing pass.
A 1/2" End mill was used for the roughing toolpath followed by a 3/8" Ball nose for the finishing pass and finally the 1/2" End mill was also used to cut the panel out of the material.
This is a huge project as you can see from the pictures below.
Another interesting use of the software.
Tony
Brady offers a subcontract laser scanning service so if you are looking to reverse engineer 3D products or components I'm sure he'll be interested in quoting you a price. See http://www.ibild.com/3d.htm
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