The objective of this week was to learn how to use the CNC machine. This assignment was one of the easier ones, though there were some struggles along the way.
I decided to cut a heart shape object downloaded as an .svg file from ‘noun project.’ After choosing the wood and measuring the dimensions, I edited the settings on Carbide Create appropriately following the given instructions. I set the outermost line of my file to contour cut and made the inner lines, which are for the heart chambers and blood vessels, to go through pocket cuts.
One mistake I made was that when setting up the pocket cut, I left the ‘max depth’ as ‘stock bottom,’ so the machine cut all the way through the wood instead of making actual pocket cuts. I still liked the way it turned out so decided to keep it. On my second trial though, I made sure the ‘max depth’ to be shallower than the actual thickness of the wood.
Another issue I ran into was figuring out how to probe using the machine; even if I did the training with the TAs it took some time for me to run it again all by myself. But eventually I was able to cut out two hearts successfully.
After cutting, I removed some remaining woods that were not fully cut and sanded them down with sandpapers.
Then I spray painted with red and clear coated.
One thing I could’ve done better is sanding the surface more especially where it has pocket cuts, as it still feels pretty rough. But overall, I think they turned out pretty well; I especially like the design I selected because of how the pocket cuts can depict the anatomy of the heart.
Cost Analysis
- 2 in. x 4 in. x 92-5/8 in. lumber: $ 3.17
- spray paint 12oz: $ 5.98
- clear coat 12 oz: $ 6.19
- labor: $10 x 3 = $ 30
- total: $ 45.34
