For my computer numerical control (CNC) project, I cut out a 2D image of a man mowing his lawn (figure 1).
Figure 1: Final Project
My process was as follows:
1. Obtain SVG
Using the Carvey requires a toolpath file — luckily, Easel Inventables can take a scalable vector graphic (SVG) and develop G-Code from it. Therefore, all I needed was an SVG of my noun. For this, I went to nounproject.com and downloaded the SVG of my image (figure 2).
Figure 2: SVG of my noun
2. STAIN WOOD
Prior to using the Carvey, I stained the wood in hopes that the color contrast accentuates the picture (figure 3).
Figure 3: Staining the wood
3. CNC
This is where the money is made. I secured the wood in the CNC machine and used Easel to send a toolpath to the Carvey. About 15 minutes later, my cut was complete.
4. POST PROCESSING
This step required using sandpaper to remove any blemishes. For example, the cut wasn’t entirely clean and the sandpaper removed any splinters.
Cost estimation:
1. MATERIALS
The materials used in this model were: wood and stain. These are both quite cheap. The total cost of these materials can be estimated at $15.
2. LABOR
The entire process took about 1 hour. At $15/hour, this cost can be estimated at $15.
TOTAL COST: $30
