1-11-2024 Q&A: Chair Modeling, Molding Toolpath, Chip Load Challenges, Pausing Carves, Mach4 Code Organization, Spindle Turning in VCarve Pro, and Image to File Conversion: Q&A Highlights

This Q&A Meetup offered a deep dive into CNC and Vectric software, covering topics from 3D modeling Sam Maloof's chair to troubleshooting carving issues and optimizing toolpaths. The session provided practical solutions for common problems, such as recovering from CNC glitches and managing chip loads, alongside advanced techniques like duplicating clipart in Aspire and creating efficient Mach4 codes for repeated use. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned users, this replay is a treasure trove of insights for enhancing CNC project outcomes.

Question Answered in this Q&A:

• 00:00:26 - Would like to model each part of this chair. This is a Sam Maloof design. It could be a good 3D study. Is it possible?
• 00:05:01 - Can you add a keyhole bit to a form tool?
• 00:06:15 - Can you complete a circle with the molding toolpath?
• 00:07:17 - I had an issue with a project being carved. It's a 40 hour carving, and I had a glitch in my CNC. What's the best way to select a portion of the carving to continue machining?
• 00:08:45 - Anyone with an opinion on HexNut versus SlotNut?
• 00:14:48 - Have a design that he set up for eighth inch depth as a test.The carving looks good on the simulation, but the carve is terrible. Some cuts are deep, others are barely visible. I've adjusted the depth, each still cuts light and heavy in various locations
• 00:18:16 - Been setting up his tools in the VCarve tool database using the chip load chart. Every time he makes adjustments to RPMs or anything else in order to get the chip correct chip load for certain materials, it tells me the feed rate should be enormous amounts in order to reach the chip load size. I don't think my Shark HD 510 will reach those speeds. Why is it so hard to set up a feed for a chip load without telling me I would need to go over 600 inches per minute to get the correct chip load? Am I doing something wrong?
• 00:22:25 - When you just made a statement about the number of flutes, is that the higher, you know, if you have more flutes and you need a higher speed, is that due to, is that due to maybe burning the wood somehow? Is that why you have to do that sort of thing?
• 00:25:23 - I have a project I really cannot figure out, and he's looking for help. Just downloaded Aspire, wanted to duplicate the shape of the right from Clipart, but I cannot find any tools to make it possible.
• 00:31:19 - Is there a way to insert an intentional pause at some point in a carve to check for carve quality before continuing?
• 00:33:26 - Do you have a lesson or reference you can share for best strategy on creating clearing toolpaths and finishing toolpaths without cutting into the design. Is there a recommended offset depth wise to avoid interaction?
• 00:38:13 - Am a DIY speaker builder, for only himself at this point, and he tends to use and reuse the same drivers over and over again. He'd like to be able to save each driver's Mach4 code as a unit, separate file, and ideally call out to an individual driver routine when needed. For example, when I have, when I need the whole pattern or tweeter model XYZ, I'd like to be able to simply call my tested routine from the main program. Is this possible in Mach4?
• 00:42:13 - Using the latest version of VCarve Pro. He wants to turn a spindle just like the others, except for design and size. I'm using the molding toolpath with a quarter inch ball nose for clearance and a 30 degree v bit just like the others. On this one, the quarter inch clearance only cuts the last one third of the spindle. What am I doing wrong?
• 00:47:22 - I have a file I'm trying to make out of a picture.

Keywords:

sam maloof chair design, 3d modeling, aspire, vcarve pro, keyhole bit, molding toolpath, cnc glitch recovery, hexnut vs slotnut, carving depth issues, chip load adjustments, flute number effects, clipart duplication in aspire, gcode pause, clearing and finishing toolpaths, mach4 code reuse, spindle issues, molding toolpath adjustments, picture to model conversion