Finger/Box Joints


Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Finger/Box Joints

  1. #1
    Member JerryBurks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    998
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Finger/Box Joints

    So, I started a new software project, this time to machine void free finger or box joints. Such joints in general are easy enough to do on a CNC but due to the bit radius usually require dogbone fillets to avoid interference. I wanted to avoid that and have the option of varying decorative finger patterns including true half-blind joints. I started about a year ago and gave up because I could not figure out the algorithms for creating the tool paths (my trigonometry is not up to snuff, I guess). Lately I picked it up again and had some success. The user interface is almost done (see below) and I am in serious debugging mode. I made a few test cuts and will probably try a complete box over the weekend. If everything works out I will probably publish a Beta version in a few weeks. I am quite happy with the result so far.




    Toolpath simulation (using other CAM software):


    Practical result (I need to flatten the boards better to avoid the gaps):


    Another test:


    Similar Threads:
    Puzzle, Finger Joint, Maze and Guilloche freeware at https://fabrikisto.com/tailmaker-software/


  2. #2
    Member Khalid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Pakistan
    Posts
    3498
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    Brilliant Your designing and programming skills are at par excellence.

    http://free3dscans.blogspot.com/ http://my-woodcarving.blogspot.com/
    http://my-diysolarwind.blogspot.com/


  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    8082
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    That's a complicated looking joint with lots of glue surface. I like the looks of both versions. Maybe even a random length pattern. Looks like your software can do it. I like that it's all cut in from the flat side of the material. Nice.

    CarveOne
    http://www.carveonecncwoodcraft.com


  4. #4
    Member JerryBurks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    998
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    Thanks! Yes, the surface is quite convoluted but that is necessary to be able to do it with a single cut of a ballnose bit. And it was the reason that it took me so long. The 3-dimensional relationships of the internal surfaces are not exactly trivial. Optimizing the toolpath so that it does not take forever to cut was another challenge. Such a joint takes about 8 minutes on my machine with an 1/8" bit for both sides. The second joint in the previous post was done using a 1/4" bit and went a little faster. The speed limit is really the bit flex for small bits. I broke a few when experimenting. The following picture is the actual tool path for the joint on the first picture.



    Puzzle, Finger Joint, Maze and Guilloche freeware at https://fabrikisto.com/tailmaker-software/


  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    3920
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    I like that the joints look good! Sometimes looking good is just about the most important aspect of a design.

    Just out of curiosity how long does I take to do a joint like that on your machine? I'm imagining a bit of carving to get those profiles and tiny step overs.

    As for the software is it Windows based? Linux or Mac OS possibly?



  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    3920
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    Thanks for reading my mind as I typed and answering my questions. 8 minutes actually seems to be pretty good from what I can see.

    Quote Originally Posted by JerryBurks View Post
    Thanks! Yes, the surface is quite convoluted but that is necessary to be able to do it with a single cut of a ballnose bit. And it was the reason that it took me so long. The 3-dimensional relationships of the internal surfaces are not exactly trivial. Optimizing the toolpath so that it does not take forever to cut was another challenge. Such a joint takes about 8 minutes on my machine with an 1/8" bit for both sides. The second joint in the previous post was done using a 1/4" bit and went a little faster. The speed limit is really the bit flex for small bits. I broke a few when experimenting. The following picture is the actual tool path for the joint on the first picture.




  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    817
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    This is really cool! Love the rounded fingers.



  8. #8
    Registered cncadmin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    6855
    Downloads
    3
    Uploads
    4

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    I love it..just in time as I'm build my own cabinets and need draws.

    Thank You,
    Paul G

    Check out-
    [URL="http://www.signs101.com"]www.signs101.com[/URL]


  9. #9
    Member JerryBurks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    998
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    Quote Originally Posted by CNCadmin View Post
    I love it..just in time as I'm build my own cabinets and need draws.
    Oh my....no pressure

    But I am making good progress with the debugging. Cut my first real project over the weekend. Since it is not totally reliable yet I used plain 1/2" BB plywood. Next project will be prettier lumber.
    Focus is now on specifying the drawer or box dimensions and create the gcode for the whole job, i.e. cutout for the board sides, slotting/rabbeting and making segmented lids.



    Puzzle, Finger Joint, Maze and Guilloche freeware at https://fabrikisto.com/tailmaker-software/


  10. #10
    Registered
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    3
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    I love it. Very nice looking joints. All I need now is a CNC to do my own.



  11. #11
    Member JerryBurks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    998
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    Quote Originally Posted by CarveOne View Post
    ..... Maybe even a random length pattern. Looks like your software can do it. .....
    Hello CarveOne, thanks for the suggestion. I added a "Randomizer" button. If you hit it a couple of times you may end up with a good looking pattern. Most of the time they just look weird but maybe even that is useful.



    Puzzle, Finger Joint, Maze and Guilloche freeware at https://fabrikisto.com/tailmaker-software/


  12. #12
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    817
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    Quote Originally Posted by JerryBurks View Post
    Hello CarveOne, thanks for the suggestion. I added a "Randomizer" button. If you hit it a couple of times you may end up with a good looking pattern. Most of the time they just look weird but maybe even that is useful.
    Friggin awesome is what it is. It looks like two pieces of wood that have been fused together via the "Philadelphia Experiment".



  13. #13
    Member JerryBurks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    998
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Re: Finger/Box Joints

    I finally launched the finger/box joint software for public consumption. If you are interested in such stuff you can find more information here.

    Some more demo samples that I did lately:









    Puzzle, Finger Joint, Maze and Guilloche freeware at https://fabrikisto.com/tailmaker-software/


Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


About CNCzone.com

    We are the largest and most active discussion forum for manufacturing industry. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

Follow us on


Our Brands

Finger/Box Joints

Finger/Box Joints