Dolphin CNC sign

Illustrator

To design my cnc sign I used Illustrator. I found a few dolphin designs that I liked and combined them into one piece, tracing the images using the pen tool. I created the correct dimensions for the thickness of the lines. I also used the shape builder tool to combine all the shapes into one connected piece.

CAD

After Illustrator I exported my design as a dxf file and created a new design page in Fusion 360 and opened my file. I extruded my whole design to 0.5 inches and made my sketch visible so I could extrude the other lines to the right depth. I then followed these steps: Setup -> (Stock) Set Mode to Fixed size box -> Set X, Y, and Z dimensions -> Set round-up value to 0.5 -> Set Z value to thickness of material -> (Setup) Set Orientation to Model Orientation -> Set Origin to Stock Box Point -> Select front, left, top box point on your stock -> Click Model and select your model -> (Post process) Set Program comment to you job name

CAM

After extruding my design I created the tool paths for the CNC machine to follow. Continuing in Fusion 360 I followed these steps to create my two tool paths: Select 2D contour -> (Tool) Click on Select to choose the tool -> Select Dawson FS Tools Library -> Select 1/4" bit -> (Geometry) Select bottom edge of whole piece -> (Passes) Turn on multiple depths -> Set Maximum Roughing Step Down to half width of bit (0.125) -> Click OK and verify you have multiple depths

I then took the wood I was using and spray-painted it white. To cut out my design on the CNC machine I emailed my file to Makerspace@dawsonschool.org. I masked the plywood I was using with masking tape to protect the surface for when I would paint it. Then I mounted my plywood on the CNC machine using green tape and glue. I loaded my job and checked the following: Check Plywood is secure, job is loaded, X, Y, and Z are set and air compressor is turned on. After I was sure of these I ran the job. When it was finished I removed my sign, took off the tape and sanded it to make it smooth.

When I was finished sanding I spray-painted my sign dark blue. I then took off the masking and hand-painted the light blue portion of my sign.

Reflection questions:

What went well?

Designing the dolphin was relatively easy and cutting it out went really well except that the masking came off so I had to redo that.

What could be improved?

I could find an easier way to paint it because hand painting the light blue was very difficult because it was hard to be accurate.

What would you do differently if you were to do this project again?

If I were to to this project again I would change a few things. I would find a better way to sand all of it because the ledges were hard to sand and still very rough. I would find an easier way to paint the sign. I would also maybe make the lines wider so it was more visible and easier to paint.

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