I learned how to use a CNC machine and CarbideCreate in this assignment. Below are the processes I followed:

Create a c2d file

1. I downloaded a French Bulldog’s image from Google.
2. I added the image to CarbideCreate and the word “Frenchie” to finish my design. Below is a picture of my design:
   
3. I set the toolpath for my design, and this was the most challenging part I felt when I tried to create a C2D file before the tutorial. I tried different toolpaths, but the stimulation did not come out well. Then, I figured out that I needed to change some tools to 1/16″, not the original setting of 1/8″.
4. However, when I opened my file on OEDK’s computer, I needed to change the word font because the computer did not have the font I chose. Also, the order of the toolpath required to be changed. Below is a picture of my new design:
   

Cut the wood

1. In the tutorial, I learned how to use Nomad 3. Madison spent some time helping me fix my C2D file and teaching me how to use the machine.
2. I also learned how to change the mill from 1/8″ to 1/16″ because my design needed me to change these two tools back and forth. However, the tutorial time is not enough for me to finish my cutting. My first wood was semi-finished, but the bulldog pattern came out successfully. Below is a picture of my semi-finished wood:
   
3. The second time I started to work on my wood, I came to OEDK during TA office hours. Therefore, I gained some confidence when using the machine. Sing worked next to me, and she also helped me a lot. Changing the mills required a lot of strength and was not easy for me. In addition, I forgot to change the outline contour toolpath depth after I measured the new wood height. I only changed the design setting. I realized this because I found the machine started to cut the wood I put under my wood as a cushion, and I stopped the machine immediately. Fortunately, my design came out smoothly and looked pretty. Below are pictures of the mills I used and my second CNC wood:
   
4. The next piece of wood I got was slightly smaller than the width of the pattern I designed, so I changed the outline contour toolpath direction to “No Offset.” I remembered changing the outline contour toolpath depth this time, but half of my pattern did not cut through the wood. I think the reason might be that my wood was not perfectly level. Below are pictures of my third wood:
   

Post-processing

1. For my third wood piece, I used an electric sander to help me sand off the excess wood.
   
2. I used a utility knife and wire cutters to help me remove my design from the wood. During my post-processing, I found some small pieces of wood in the text were broken during the CNC process. However, this did not happen during my third wood piece. Maybe it’s because of the condition of the wood itself, or perhaps this part is too detailed. Next time, I might need to modify the character spacing or replace the 1/32” mill to solve this problem.
   
3. I used sandpaper to help me remove the uneven sawdust on the wood.
4. Because I wanted to preserve the original color of the wood, I applied two coats of tung oil.
   
5. These are my final products:
   

Cost analysis:

Cost table for the TWO Frenchie wood

 

Cost Type	Cost	Price	Source	Quantity	Total
Materials	Wood	$27.25 (1in*12in*96in)	Homedepot.com	2pcs (0.76*4*6in)	$0.86
	Tong oil	$16.24/473ml	Amazon.com	50ml	$1.72
Labor	Prototyping Engineer (Me)	$17 / hour	ZipRecruiter.com	2 hr	$34
Overhead	Nomad 3 ( CNC machine renting)	$50/hr	https://manor-mill.com/machinerentals	1hr	$50
	Electricity (for the light, the computer, and the machine)	$0.13 per kWh	Raise3D	2.3 kWh	$0.3
	Post-processing tools (Sandpaper and brushes)	Sandpaper $2.98/pack Brush $1.87	Homedepot.com Homedepot.com	1 1	$2.98 $1.87
	Electric Sander	$74	Amazon.com	1	$74
Design	Engineering and Development*****	$17 / hour	ZipRecruiter.com	1 hr	$17.00
Misc.	Waste and Scrap	$0.66/Gal= $0.17/L	Houstontx.gov	0.025L	$0.0042

 

Sum: $182.7342

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