Village Inn Sign
In this demonstration we will create a 3D sign in ArtCAM Express
using some toolpath techniques, this can also be done in ArtCAM
Insignia. We will start with simulating the pre-created toolpath so
we can see the finished design, then we will create our own
toolpaths on the model.
1. Click on Open Model and select Village [Link].
2. Click on the 3D View Tab found in the top left corner to
switch to the 3D view.
3. On the Project panel, click on plus sign next to the
Toolpaths in the Project tree to highlighted the pre-created toolpaths,
these are the toolpaths that we will now simulate to view the finished
piece.
4. Select each individual toolpath in sequence and right click it and select
Simulate toolpath.
ArtCAM Insignia gives you the option to change the resolution of
the simulation so you can view the finished piece more clearly
where as ArtCAM Express has a fixed resolution.
5. In ArtCAM Insignia select Simulate Toolpath (ArtCAM Express will
do this automatically).
6. Click on the 3D Graphics Option icon on the 3D View toolbar and
under the Simulation Rendering select the wooden textures as a
material to view the piece as it would look if cut in wood off a
machine.
7. Click on Apply and then Close
8. The next steps will be creating the toolpaths over the design and saving
the toolpaths out to a machine. But firstly we will delete the previously
created ones.
9. Right click on each of the toolpaths on the Project panel and select
Delete. Press Yes to confirm the delete.
[Link] click on the toolpaths on the Project panel and select Delete
Simulation
[Link] on the the 2D View Tab to move back to 2D View
[Link] the 2D view select the vector as shown in the image.
[Link] the Project panel, click on Toolpaths to show the toolpath creation
Function
[Link] the Machine Relief function from the 3D Toolpaths section
located in the lower half of the panel.
[Link] Machine Relief panel automatically opens, use the following
values:
Area to Machine – Selected Vectors
To select the Finishing Options Tool click on the click to select…
From Metric Tools
Wood or Plastic
3D Finishing
Select 3mm Ballnose
Click on the Material Thickness down arrow and click Setup
Material Thickness – 15mm
Model Z Zero – Top
Model Position in Material – Top
Click Ok
Name – Texture
Click Calculate Now
Click on the X to close the toolpath panel
[Link] on the the 3D View Tab to move back to 3D
View
[Link] the Texture toolpath from the project panel,
right click on it and select Simulate Toolpath.
ArtCAM Insignia gives you the option to change the resolution of
the simulation so you can view the finished piece more clearly,
ArtCAM Express has a fixed resolution.
[Link] ArtCAM Insignia select Simulate Toolpath (ArtCAM Express will
do this automatically).
[Link] on the the 2D View Tab to move back to 2D View
[Link] the 3 vectors as shown in the image below to do this
select the first vector and hold down the shift key and select
the final two vectors.
[Link] the Project panel, click on Toolpaths to show the toolpath creation
functions
[Link] the V-bit Carving function under the the 2D Toolpaths section
located in the lower half of the project panel.
[Link] V-Bit Carving function appears automatically, use the following
values:
Start Depth – 0
Check the Limit Tool maximum Depth option
Maximum Depth – 10mm
Carving Tool – Click on Click to Select…
Select V-Bit 32mm 90 degree tool from the Metric Tools- Wood
or Plastic – V-Carving section of the database
Click Calculate Now
Click on the X to close the toolpath panel.
[Link] on the the 3D View Tab to move back to 3D View
[Link] the V – Bit Carving toolpath from the project panel, right click
on it and select Simulate Toolpath.
[Link] on the the 2D View Tab to move back to 2D View
[Link] the very outer vector, select Toolpaths on the project panel &
select the Profile toolpath function from the 2D Toolpaths section
located in the lower half of the project panel.
[Link] profiling function appears automatically, use the following values:
Profile - Outside
Start Depth – 0
Finish Depth – 12
Profiling Tool – Click to Select…
Select 12mm End Mill from the Metric Tools- Wood or Plastic –
Roughing and 2D Finishing section of the database
Click on Calculate Now
Click on the X to close the toolpath panel.
[Link] back to 3D View, select the calculated Profile toolpath on the
project panel, right click on it and select Simulate Toolpath.