First time CAM setup

[malcolm.burnage]

Hi All

Regular hobbyist follower of Lars on YouTube and its because of that i am as far a long as making a model but no CAM attempt yet.

I created a simple frame that i managed to cut into 4 sections (very pleased with that 🙂 ), and now i move into the CAM.

I will say that i use Vectric VCarve Pro based on how simple it is for me to convert for my CNC Router (HighZ 720 with Kress router)but i really need to go all the way from fusion but paranoid about doing some damage especially as no matter how much i look at it i find it daunting. (CNCRouterParts 2x4 coming soon).

First up is it possible for me to select the large long curved face only and use a very large ballnose cutter just to do this as i would not want to do it all in one go like in VCarve, then change to a smaller ball nose and say do the top curve section with a smaller ballnose, and maybe decide whether to use a long mill to profile cut or try to finish with a bandsaw,i even thought of making some sort of template and just routing by hand but since i got this far i feel i should persevere.

One problem i have is that if this works not only will i have to do these 4 cuts to make the first frame another 10 would be wanted, so best i get cutting 🙂

The size in 25mmx25mmx700mm long for reference and material would be sapele.

Any pointers even if it is to a video that will help me directly as there are so many i just get lost with them all.

Many thanks Malc

Complete FrameFirst section to cut with CAM

[LibertyMachine · Accepted solution]

If your machine is rigid enough to handle a large radius tool, yes, you could go that route. Personally, unless you have hundreds of these to make, I'd just use a smaller tool and a Parallel or Scallop toolpath. You will want to first rough it out with another tool, such as a Bull Endmill (flat endmill with a corner radius)

[malcolm.burnage]

I figure the new cnc machine will handle large cutters but i need to look at 2 things here now

 i had not heard of the bull endmill or this parallel or scallop

thank you very much for a starting point

Malc