Multi-pass engraving to carve solid forms from a block of wood

[Anonymous]

Hello--

I posted this earlier to another forum, and they suggested I should be using CAM and 3D adaptive Clearing to solve my problem, and that you folks might be able to help.  I'm going to settle in with the documentation right now, but in the meantime, any feedback would be appreciated. Original question:

I'm new to Slicer, but I've done enough with it to see I'll be able to do some fantastic builds using it. I believe, based on what I've seen, that it has the data to do what I want to do--I just don't know how to access it.

Instead of laying out cuts on sheets to optimize material efficiency, I want it to create a series of sheets where each level is represented faithfully in terms of objects' geometric relationships with all the other objects in that slice. I want to do that so I can send a series of full page cuts through the laser, one page after another, each one engraving in to the same thick block of wood, cutting away all the excess, layer by layer, until I'm left with a 3D wooden solid. I believe the Assembly Steps function has access to all this data--just not in a way that my laser can understand.

Does this make sense?  I feel like what I'm asking for is for the app to do one fewer thing for me. I'd love to be able to convince it to try (edit: or find a more appropriate application/technique). Thanks!

[HughesTooling]

Not sure you'll get this to work, what is the depth of cut for the laser and the diameter? Pocket not 3d adaptive would create the smallest tool path but I imagine the diameter of cut and step over would be small so the toolpath would be huge. 

Maybe I've misunderstood be how accurately can you control the depth of cut? Unless it's very accurate it's not going to work.

Mark

[Anonymous]

Hi Mark--

I appreciate the response. Just trying to figure out what I'm doing. You're right, while my laser is very precise and can cut extremely narrowly, it's a cheap one, and depth control is via unlabeled analog dial.  I just started reading up on this stuff, so I will keep your advice/concerns in mind.

Just figuring out slicer was very helpful & makes possible all sorts of projects I couldn't do before.  I had just had the idea that if I could make it carve out a whole solid shape for me that that would be even cooler, but I think it will have to wait until I've learned the tool set better (& it may not be possible with this machine).

Best--

[g-andresen]

Hi Robert,

Unfortunately, it is not clear from your comments what you would like to achieve.

For this you would have to explain the facts step by step using models.

When it comes to using SLICER to create sheets that, when assembled, form a stepped model, everything is fine.

But what will not succeed is the removal or smoothing of the steps.

This requires manual work or the use of a multi-axis milling machine.

günther