This time we get to learn about CNC, a cool and powerful machine in the OEDK. With the CNC machine, I would like to make a wooden Mt. Yosemite that I can put on my desk for the Christmas decoration.

STEP 1: Prepare a VCarve Pro file from a .stl file

For the 3D Roughing Toolpath, I chose to use an End Mill #201 with a diameter of 0.25 inches and a Ball Nose #101 with a diameter of 0.125 inches for the 3D Finishing Toolpath.

STEP 2: Work with Shapeoko CNC

I’m super excited to use this giant machine– Shapeoko CNC. The first time using this is the most nervous one. But once you work on this you will get used to this toy and its sound. After having the Gcode file from the VCarve Pro, I opened it up on the Carbide Motion and started the homing and measuring process.

Everything is all set and we are good to go! I changed the bit to End Mill #201 and started the first path. IMG_4432 

After the roughing toolpath, I changed the bit to Ball Nose #101 for the finishing toolpath.IMG_4434 And my first piece went well actually! Nothing dramatic happened 🙂 But since the thickness of my piece of wood is quite not enough for this file (Mt. Yosemite is a big one definitely.), I ended up adding one more layer of wood on the bottom which made the piece even prettier!

STEP 3: Sand them down and apply a layer of nice conditioner

After adding a thinner piece of wood on the bottom with the wood glue, I used sandpaper to sand some residues to make it smoother. Finally, I applied one layer of natural wax on both my pieces and it looks good!

 

         

 

Ps. I actually did something wrong (and smelled something as well) on my actual second piece. As the image is shown here, I stopped the finishing path on this piece because the collet was hitting the wood and that’s because I forgot to measure the length of the bit that protrudes (it should be longer than the height of the wood – the z-axis). A big mistake that one could make, but luckily I was there to stop the machine before it gets even worse.

Overall, I’m very happy with the results and I do learn a lot during this whole process. I’m now able to use the CNC machine with confidence. Thanks for this lecture!

 

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Cost Analysis:

Materials:

Woods: pine wood @ $31.31 (1 in. x 8 in. x 8 ft.) /19 * 2 =  ~$3.3

Clear Hardwax Mineral Butcher Block Oil Conditioner ($9.98 for 12oz): $9.98/12 = ~$0.83

Labor:  4.5 hours * $15 (Rice minimum wage per hour) = $67.5

Machine time: 3 hours

 

TOTAL COST:  $3.3 + $0.83 +$67.5 = $71.63