Learning CNC Routing with Delgado Fab Lab
AKA exporting CAD Derpfaces in Vcarve to a Shopbot.
Delgado Fab Lab is a joint partnership between Chevron and Delgado to offer Delgado Community College Faculty, Students, Alumni, and the greater New Orleans community access to a high-end makerspace for FREE!
Recently the Lab has opened up classes to the local public to teach everyone how to use devices like the Shopbot (CNC Router), Makerbots (3D Printers), Laser Engravers, Vinyl Cutter, and the various software that goes along with the devices.
Over the past week I’ve been participating in the CNC Routing class. First learning “Drafting and Programming” in Vcarve, before direct machine operation (changing drill bits, operational safety, etc.)
Vcarve Pro is software by Vectric to make Vectors. (Yes, say that one 5 times fast.) The software has options for utilizing supplied clipart, as well as importing projects from AutoCAD or Photoshop. The Fab Lab has an adjacent computer lab where you can book time to work with Vcarve, AutoCAD, Photoshop, or other drawing software.
Since we’re just starting, we created simple projects requiring only a few different cuts. (Like my calculated/mapped derp face above.) This way we were able to learn how to setup jobs, create shapes, move objects, select toolpaths, and edit passes on the machine.
We’d then add in some hold down marks for our projects and save them to a shared drive before getting to cut them out on the Shopbot below.
The long metal piece with the 2 yellow bars is called the Gantry and can move forwards and backwards through the work grid. It has a dust skirt (plastic tubing) attachment on the spindle (the black circle with “caution” on it). The origin (start point) of the machine and material height can be adjusted for a variety of items. Cutting bits can be changed out to accommodate various types of materials including aluminum and fabric.
The system is setup to read the drawing that’s loaded into the Shopbot software and then perform according to the instruction set given. (Shopbot software has it’s own command line interface for giving commands like move, pause, and start.) Hold downs (screw holes) are utilized with most materials for safety purposes to keep the machine from catching the material and throwing it.
Depending on your project, the actual cutting process can take 5 minutes or less. (Or several hours.) Eye and hearing protection are required while cutting is in process.
Below is an example of a smaller piece that can be produced from the CNC Router above.
Delgado Fab Lab has more free classes over the next 2 months. After you complete the required instruction and hands-on training, you’ll be eligible to take a certification test and book 1-on-1 time with that machinery when the Lab is free.
