[rewster]

Anyone here use their machines for complex contours? Seems like most of the videos I've seen are 2d roughing cuts or engraving/routing type work. I have some parts in mind that I would like to machine, but I'm not completely sure as to what my limitations will be. Pictures or videos of examples would be greatly appreciated. Ball nosed endmills? Also, any straight-up CAM recommendations? Thanks

drew

[hoss2006]

Elliks motor intake.
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vPh784_qxY"]YouTube - 3D milling on the X2[/nomedia]

Hoss

[Dougal]

CAMBAM can import STL surfaces and generate cutter paths for them. I've never used that side of it for cutter path generation though.
It can also follow 3D DXF lines. Problem is I don't have any software that can generate 3D DXF's.

[TXFred]

Here's a link to my thread. I did a test surface on the X2. Then I took the same ball end mill and ran the negative of the surface on a Haas VF-2.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/837124-post111.html

The VF-2 took 15 minutes. The X2 needed 45. Finish quality is pretty close.

The part on the right is from the X2. The part on the left is from the Haas.



Fred

[rewster]

Good stuff Fred. Anyone ever used the x2 to make injection molds?

[SScnc]

Good stuff Fred. Anyone ever used the x2 to make injection molds?

Yeah, I did a small one for use in a benchtop manual injection machine I built and it works pretty good. It doesn't have true 3D contours though, I can find some pics and post if you want to see it anyway. The X2 did great with it as it almost always does for me. I'm doing some 3D stuff with my CNC router but still learning and plan to try some on the X2 soon.

Fred, that does look good, nice comparison. (OT for a moment) I'm curious about your avatar Fred, is that a home built control panel ?

Steve

[TXFred]

I'm curious about your avatar Fred, is that a home built control panel ?

If it was homebuilt, I'd be pretty proud of it.

It's the control panel for a Haas SL-20 lathe.
The storage bin at the bottom is open and is holding two trays of sushi and a root beer. Unfortunately, the avatar shrank too much so you can't see the detail, thus the humor is lost.

[Dougal]

Nice job Fred. Mastercam is the missing link for most of us.

[TheBigJW]

Nice job Fred. Mastercam is the missing link for most of us.

Just wait a while. The way Mastercam treats it customers they won't be around much longer. Maybe soon you will be able to buy Mastercam off the defunct cd's rack at your local hardware store for like $9.98.

John

[alex781]

Solidcam's 'Constant Z' is good for 3d contouring if you want to put minimal wear on the z column ways. Other CAM apps must have an equivalent. It's harder to put equal wear along the entire Z axis unless you frequently make very big/long parts.

[sansbury]

Solidcam's 'Constant Z' is good for 3d contouring if you want to put minimal wear on the z column ways. Other CAM apps must have an equivalent. It's harder to put equal wear along the entire Z axis unless you frequently make very big/long parts.

I believe the generic name is "waterline machining."

[rwestbr]

Here's what I did with my X2 and BOBCAD V23Pro

Robert

[SScnc]

That's beautiful work Robert! What type of paint did you use ?

Very impressed !

Steve

[rwestbr]

Thanks Steve!!!
Its just Testor's model paint, I then sprayed them with clear coat.

Robert