Cut file for S shaped molding

[tim_marchetti]

Can someone help with a cut file for an S shaped molding? I have it drawn in Rhino, but I only have Cut 3D for software. I'm looking for a toolpath that can follow the curve and carve the profile.

8412

[adrianm]

Have you tried exporting it as an STL file and the loading it into Cut3D? It's been a while since I've used Cut3D but I wouldn't think it would be a problem to machine that as long as you've got bits with long enough reach.

[tim_marchetti]

thanks Adrian
I have tried it in Cut3D, but the toolpath it creates can only move in straight lines. I would like to follow the curve.

[adrianm]

I'm confused now, why do you want the toolpath to follow the curve?

[khaos]

Tim if you give me the curved vector I will make you a cut file. I assume you have the ogie and cove bits and that you can adjust the depth for your needs. I will be back in the shop later this afternoon. If you need a 3D cut file you'll need to send me the dxf with material dimensions and I will gen you one.

[adrianm]

Ah, I'm with you now, you want to do it with a profile bit rather than as a 3D model.

Cut3D is definitely NOT the software for that.

[tim_marchetti]

i don't have a bit that matches the profile.
what i want to do is machine inside closed vectors with a 3D carving program. using maybe a 1/4" ball end mill to carve the curves and then I can create the toolpath to clean up the sqaure corners with a 1/4" end mill

[cutitout]

Post the file I have ideas -- will cut fast and the offsets can be applied to any shape

[tim_marchetti]

Eric
I can email you the file. What format would you like it to be?

[tim_marchetti]

thanks for the input folks. Harold Weber has come to my rescue.

[myxpykalix]

tell us how you got it done because "inquiring minds want to know"

[mims]

another thing you might look at is getting Rhinocam, since you use Rhino anyways. The basic version is a grand I think and does 2d and 3d cuts. For this project, you could have used the Horizontal Finishing toolpath or even projected some lines onto your piece from the side (flat, horizontally), then used either an Engrave or Profile toolpath in Rhinocam.

[tim_marchetti]

My man Harold Weber created a toolpath machining inside closed vectors using Aspire. This toolpath carves the curved profile along it's S shape with a 1/4" ball end mill. I created a toolpath with a 1/4" end mill to cut the square inside corners and cut out the part using V-carve pro. I'm cutting 8 of these out of 1 1/8" mdf. I'm holding it down with vacuum and using tabs and a thin skin to keep the parts in place.

[tim_marchetti]

I thought I would post a picture of the finished parts. The customer just picked the up. He went away very happy. :-)

8413

[myxpykalix]

how long did each of those take to cut? What was the final usage for these? on some type of furniture? Neat

[tim_marchetti]

These were 49" long and were used along some built-in window seats. They took about 30min. each. That includes the bit change from ball to straight. It turns out that the file to carve these along the curve was created with ArtCam