3 Axis CNC Router capability questions

[dan2004]

11-18-06

Hello all,

I have started investigating the various steps that I must learn to be able to build, design and run a safe 3 axis CNC Router system. At this point I want to know if what I am trying to build, will be able to do some of the things that I want it, or envision it to do.

As part of my research I purchased David Steele's plans to build his 25 X 37 inch 3 axis table. I plan on getting Xylotex' kit that includes the 3 Stepper Motor Driver Board. I also am researching Arturo Duncan's (CNC4PC.com) C1 - Parallel Port Interface Card (breakout board). I have already begun to study Mach3 by going through their tutorials and I have found a good CNC Programming course at CNC Concepts (www.cncci.com) They have a good course but a little expensive, although he offers the first chapter for free. It's a good introduction into CNC Routing.

So even though I'm doing the legwork, I wanted to ask if what I want to do is possible with a 3 axis CNC router.

Suppose for example that I take a wooden cube, say about 3" long by 2" wide by about 1" deep, and then champfer all the edges. So now it would kind of look like a bar of Dial soap.After that I would want to rout out the cube so that it would now be a small box.

Can a 3 axis router do something like that? I asume that I would need to make my design using a 3D CAD software. I found a company called Alibre and they offer a free 3D CAD software. I think the license is good for one year. (http://www.alibre.com/xpress)


Thank you all very much! If it was not for this sight I think that CNC Routing could only be a dream for me and many others.

Thanks again,
Dan

[ger21]

Suppose for example that I take a wooden cube, say about 3" long by 2" wide by about 1" deep, and then champfer all the edges. So now it would kind of look like a bar of Dial soap.After that I would want to rout out the cube so that it would now be a small box.

Can a 3 axis router do something like that? I asume that I would need to make my design using a 3D CAD software. I found a company called Alibre and they offer a free 3D CAD software. I think the license is good for one year. (http://www.alibre.com/xpress)


Thank you all very much! If it was not for this sight I think that CNC Routing could only be a dream for me and many others.

Thanks again,
Dan

Yes, a 3 axis router can do that, although if you wanted to chamfer with the cnc, it would probably be faster to do it by hand with a small handheld router. Although you could model it in 3D, it would be just as easy to draw the pocket in 2D and use a CAM program that has pocketing. Something like SheetCAM would work. www.sheetcam.com Nothing wrong with Alibre Xpress, though, especially for the price.

[CRFultz]

Dan,
this can be easily accomplished using VCarve Pro.
VCP allows for profile cutters that you design in regards to there actual geometry and enter into your tool database.
Making the box's you speak of is a simple task.

Chuck

[dan2004]

Thanks Gerry and Chuck
Dan

[spoiledbrat]

Rhinocam and mach 2 can also do this
4"x6" x1.5" finished
40 minutes parallel finishing w .125" ball endmill @120 IPM

(block is a scrap piece of wood, I wish it was just one kind of wood in there)