Week 7

Computer-controlled Machining

A few years ago, I took a class at the AS220 Industries on how to use the CNC Router. This machine is a bit more intimidating than the laser-cutter, both because of the scale, power, number of parts, two separate programs used, and working on 3 axes.

ShopBot

For this week, we had the challenge of building something big by using the CNC router. I decided to build a series of boxes that are stackable as a shelving unit, since the closet in my studio is a bit small. In order to make these boxes, I used Inkscape and the features it has to combine and subtract different shapes. I decided to keep my design for the boxes as a pressfit construction, but later changed the design through trial and error.

First Try

I began working by preparing the file in VCarve, the program our Shopbot uses. I first set up the document to work on an 8 foot by 4 foot area and designated the origin as the far-right corner, as this is standard in our shop. I anchored the board of 3/4 inch ply with a red oak veneer to the spoiler board using some screws and then used the CNC router, equipped with an 1/8 inch end mill, to cut the profiles of the pieces on the outside of the path. After this first attempt, I realized that I should use the dog bone and chamfer techniques discussed in class, as the fit was not good enough. After adding these features, I also added holes in the middle of each one. These holes allow the boxes to be stacked in different ways and attached to each other for added strength if necessary. The holes allign to each other to make arranging them simple.

In progress

In my second attempt, I created the holes in the ply wood first. This was helpful because I then used screws in those holes to anchor the pieces of wood in as I did the rest of the profile cuts. With these holes anchored, I did not need to use tabs, which normally prevent the cut out from moving out of place. My second attempt was much more successful. I only needed to sand the pieces a little bit by hand to clean them up and get the press fit perfect.

Finished Parts Presto!

This was a really fun project and it feels good to get more comfortable with the CNC router.

Files

Shelves PDF Shelves SVG

25 January - 2 February 2016