Computer-Controlled Machining

The Idea

This week we we're told to Make something big on a CNC machine. So i always wanted to use the cnc router to make a 3d model using wood. So i needed an idea so i opened fusion360 and my hand started to draw an idea lamp like the ones in the cartoon.

Designing

first i started by drawing a 2d plane of an half lamp then i revolved it. after that i exported the model to a plugin called slicer that slices any 3d model into 2d slices.

After opening slicer i changed manufactering settings to my sheet parameters and started slicing my 3d model with a slicing technique called radial slices and adjusted the parameters and i added dogbones and notches to make my design pressfit. at last i exported the generated dxf file.

preparing the cnc router cam files

the router that i am going to use is based on linuxcnc and it needs another cam program to generate toolpath and gcode. so i used a program called aspire and i followed this youtube tutorial. i selected the sheet parameters and cutting depth in my case i used 11mm mdf so the cutting depth is 11mm and the tool diameter in my case it was 4 mm flat end-mill with four flutes. and generated a toolpath with 7 passes for each part and i simulated it to check. and finally exported the gcode with the following settings.

Tool Diameter : 6mm

Spindle Speed : 2000 rpm

Feed Rate : 50 mm/s

Plunge Rate : 20 mm/s

using the cnc router

i opened the files in linuxcnc, set home postions and z height and started cutting the files.

after the router finnished cutting i used sandpaper to smooth the edges and started press fitting the parts together.

finally after half hour of assembly i assembled the whole lamp and later that night i added a real lamp inside it.

Download The lamp Dxf file