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Matt (Staff)
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 680,
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Hi All, We've just uploaded a new video which some of you may find interesting or informative. This one is quite specialist and detail-heavy because it covers what you need to do to create the necessary G-code for a CNC router out of Autodesk Fusion 360. As I've mentioned before on this forum, Fusion 360 is a great piece of software available from Autodesk free for students and educators and very reasonably priced for professionals. If you're looking for some fully featured 3D CAD software with plenty of CAM functionality 'out-of-the-box' then it's well worth a look. For the CNC routing we've used our Stepcraft 840 which is a benchtop 3-axis CNC machine. There are different machines on the market but to us the Stepcraft feels like it bridges the gap between a hobby CNC and a larger industrial machine. We don't benefit from promoting either the router or the software; they're just both very good so we're sharing our opinion and hopefully some useful information on how to set them up and use them. In some future videos, we'll be doing some more sophisticated 3D machining with the router (i.e. machining a 3D pattern from model board) which I think will be an eye-opener for some as to how useful these machines can be in a composites workshop. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this video. As usual, comments, links, shares and questions are all appreciated. Please post below and I'll be happy to answer any questions.
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davro
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Group: Forum Members
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Decent video  Really looking forward to the machining a 3D pattern from modeling board video. I have done a few Fusion360 moulds now on my milling machine, using wood as the mould and being able to skip the buck making process for CAD is just epic! Cheers,
David StevensYouTube: Comment | Rate | Subscribe InstagramComposite ProjectsBody Package for Dax RushRC Car Touring Body 1/10 Scale
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magicaltrevor
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Excellent video, thanks for that. Did you look into other CNC routers? i.e. were hobbyist routers discounted for any particular reasons and which came close? It would be interesting to learn about making moulds using a CNC router. Even so far as creating multiple pieces for a mould using this method. For instance, my interest would be to make a wing (for motorsport) and therefore using a smaller A4 sized router to create multiple parts and then fix them together to make a mould for a 1400mm long part. If that was easily doable then I could well be convinced to buy one. Even better if it was a cheaper router.
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Matt (Staff)
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Group: Forum Members
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Thanks, glad you liked it. We definitely did not undertake a full review of all the routers on the market and I'm sure there are some great ones out there that would also do a really nice job of machining carbon sheet like this and more demanding jobs too. We chose the Stepcraft because it has good reviews, looked well made (in fact it is!) and had a range of accessories that we need (in fact, we've purchased quite a few of these). We wanted a decent sized bed (600 x 840 is pretty good going) too. I can't say exactly which is the best router or the best value but what I can say is that when you set up the Stepcraft, it certainly feels like you're getting good value for money. Also, I this is still a machine aimed at the hobby/light duty user, which could well be within hobby budgets (obviously, depending on how much you invest in your hobby!). To answer your question, yes, you can certainly machine moulds (or patterns) in several parts and bond them together. Machining 3D patterns using a 3 axis router is not going to be fast and if you need to assemble multiple moulds afterwards then that will add to the production time too but it is definitely possible and you will be rewarded with accuracy that you could never achieve by hand. Normally, you'll machine the pattern and lay up the moulds. This way your mould can be stronger and lighter and made from the right material for the job. The pattern is machined from model board and can be saved so that you can make more moulds from it in the future, if you need to replace them. Keep your eyes peeled for that video, coming soon. All the best, Matt
Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales
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magicaltrevor
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Group: Forum Members
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Thanks Matt. I guess my other thought was to use a router to create ribs (as per your tutorial on making a pattern/plug) and then construct the wing that way. As least it would retain accuracy through the part. Again, thanks for answering the question and keep the videos coming, they're very good.
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Motorious
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Group: Forum Members
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Hi Matt, Would you be able to mill contoured surfaces out of wood or foam block using a rig like this and a ball-end mill? I wasn't sure if i should be looking to 4 axis or more to get contoured surfaces milled. Just an example of the type of surface i am referring to below:
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Matt (Staff)
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Group: Forum Members
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Hi Motorious, Yes, you can certainly machine 3D patterns using a 3 axis machine, as I mentioned earlier we will be featuring this process in a video later in the year. The pictures you posted look like they're billet aluminium which we wouldn't really recommend for machining with a light duty 3-axis router, like this. For aluminium billet you'd really need to be looking at a CNC milling machine (rather than a router). However, model board (either PU or epoxy) and certainly lower density materials like foams, wood, MDF etc, you can machine in 3D using a 3-axis machine like this. Matt
Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales
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Hanaldo
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.5K,
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Very intriguing video guys, great stuff. Certainly gives me food for thought with regards to pattern making, I have considered 3D printing before as well. Bit of a toss up between milling down mass stock or building up from nothing! How are you guys learning the 3D drawing side of things? I've played around with various CAD software before, from Fusion 360 to SketchUp to Solidworks and AutoCAD, but all of them are completely overwhelming and I can't even begin to figure it out.
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Hanaldo
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Group: Forum Members
Posts: 2.5K,
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Never mind, found the learning section of the Fusion website... My week is looking significantly less productive! For anyone wanting to learn some 3D drawing, Fusion have definitely got some fantastic exercises and video tutorials. Highly recommend checking out their website community section and their YouTube channel! I'm excited about what I can do with this and I've only just started.
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Shirley Yu
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Group: Forum Members
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+xHi All, We've just uploaded a new video which some of you may find interesting or informative. This one is quite specialist and detail-heavy because it covers what you need to do to create the necessary G-code for a CNC router out of Autodesk Fusion 360. As I've mentioned before on this forum, Fusion 360 is a great piece of software available from Autodesk free for students and educators and very reasonably priced for professionals. If you're looking for some fully featured 3D CAD software with plenty of CAM functionality 'out-of-the-box' then it's well worth a look. For the CNC routing we've used our Stepcraft 840 which is a benchtop 3-axis CNC machine. There are different machines on the market but to us the Stepcraft feels like it bridges the gap between a hobby CNC and a larger industrial machine. We don't benefit from promoting either the router or the software; they're just both very good so we're sharing our opinion and hopefully some useful information on how to set them up and use them. In some future videos, we'll be doing some more sophisticated 3D machining with the router (i.e. machining a 3D pattern from model board) which I think will be an eye-opener for some as to how useful these machines can be in a composites workshop. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this video. As usual, comments, links, shares and questions are all appreciated. Please post below and I'll be happy to answer any questions.
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