How to CNC multiple stock from single design

How to CNC multiple stock from single design

Shan-d-man
Enthusiast Enthusiast
953 Views
9 Replies
Message 1 of 10

How to CNC multiple stock from single design

Shan-d-man
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hey folks,

 

My project is a campervan floor.  I have a single design that breaks the floor down into four different sections since the campervan is much larger than a single sheet of plywood.  I am struggling on how to move from design to manufacturing given that there will be 4 different stocks and 4 different CNC programs as a result.  Each piece is a component in my design file. For simplicity, assume that I will use 4 full sheets of plywood with a single component on each.  I was thinking I would just have 4 different setups in the same file.  I am struggling a little bit with how to select only one component for each setup.  How should I be thinking about this?  Can I do this in a single file or do I need to create individual files for each job and import the floor design into each, then delete the components I don't need in that one specific file? Ideally I would like 4 different setups with a board layout for each in a single file, then output 4 different programs, of which I just take to the CNC and cut 4 different sheets.

 

Shandman_0-1744564615298.png

 

0 Likes
954 Views
9 Replies
Replies (9)
Message 2 of 10

matty.fuller
Advisor
Advisor

1 file, 4 setups. Select the component/body for each setup. Couldn't be easier.

Message 3 of 10

Shan-d-man
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

I was able to get this - but I had to create a different manufacturing model for each setup.  In the end it is 4 manufacturing models and 4 setups.  Thanks for letting me know to consider multiple setups and that it was easy.

0 Likes
Message 4 of 10

matty.fuller
Advisor
Advisor

You don't need manufacturing models, they achieve nothing for simple geometry like this.

Message 5 of 10

Shan-d-man
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Matty, the reason I need to have multiple models is that if I don't use models, when I create two different setups and for each, I need to specify a new WCS origin, I get an error stating that there are multiple WCS settings.  I don't get this issue if I use a manufacturing model for each component.  That said, I agree that it seems too simple to require a manufacturing model, but I have not gotten around that issue otherwise.

Shandman_0-1745093330079.png

 

0 Likes
Message 6 of 10

programming2C78B
Mentor
Mentor

EACH part needs to be in its own Setup folder. 

Please click "Accept Solution" if what I wrote solved your issue!
0 Likes
Message 7 of 10

matty.fuller
Advisor
Advisor

Looks like you're trying to post multiple setups at once, which is not the appropriate technique. Each setup should have one model (or more than one, if they fit into a sheet) and be posted as it's own individual program, which is obviously how you would run it at the machine.

0 Likes
Message 8 of 10

Shan-d-man
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

No, it is not my intention to post multiple setups at the same time.  Each of these large components will be using a new sheet (ie: its own stock).  Each program will cover just one component at a time.  I was trying to take the suggestion that manufacturing models were not needed, but in the end, I could not do that and just reverted to a combination of 4 manufacturing models for 4 components and 4 setups.

0 Likes
Message 9 of 10

programming2C78B
Mentor
Mentor

sure, but what we are saying is what the right way is both logically and how you want to do it.

One setup folder contains (in this case) one body, that gets posted out into one code.
Repeat this 3 more times for the other parts.
They'll all be using the same WCS unless you change something. 
No MFG model is needed - I've yet to ever make one and program ~200 parts a year for 8 years. 

Please click "Accept Solution" if what I wrote solved your issue!
0 Likes
Message 10 of 10

matty.fuller
Advisor
Advisor

With respect, you're doing it wrong. Share your file if you want to get to the bottom of it, or feel free to carry on as you are.