How To

Illustrator

Create Sketch In Illustrator

I used the Curvature tool, Text tool and Immage trace

Create a .ai file

File -- Export As -- Format -- .ai

V-Carve Setup

Create a New File

Select Create a new file under Startup Tasks

Size your Material

Job Setup-- Fill in boxes with size of material

**Note should be a bit smaller than the actual size of material but larger than the sketch

Set X,Y,Z zero point

Check that the point is set to the top of material and the bottom right corner

**Important check to make sure there is no offset

Make sure the offset is 0

Bring in the Illustrator File

File Operations --- Import

Center Sketch

Use the trasnform objects tab to center on sketch

Select inside text and images

Select all text and images inside the border

V-Carve Tool Paths

Select the V-Carve Tool Path

Select V-Carve Tool Path

Select Tool

I used the 60° bit

Calculate Tool Path

Select Calculate then view tool paths to check design

Create another toolpath

Select the 2-D Profile under toolpath operations

Select bit

For this tool path select the 60° v-bit to create the bevel

Select on the Path

This allows for a 2-D profile to go and clean it up later

Set depth to .5 inches

Halfway through the material

Calculate tool Paths

Select Calculate then view tool paths to check design

Create another toolpath

Select 2-D profile under toolpath operations

Select a bit

I used the a 1/2

Select outside of the line

This will allow it to cut out the outside of the sign

Calculate tool Paths

Select Calculate then view tool paths to check design

Save Tool Paths

Select the save toolpaths button and place the file where it can be found

Pre Machining

Cut stock size

Cut stock to desired size

Mask Top Layer

Use Oramask to mask top for painting after machining

CNC Machine

Set X,Y,Z Coordinates

Set the X, Y, Z, coordinates to bottom left corner of stock

**Note use and L bracket

Crazy Checks

X,Y,Z Coordinates set
Job Loaded
Wood Secure
Air Compressor on

Run The Job

Follow with a Vacuum to get rid of dust

Flip wood

Flip the sign and place in L bracket

Re-save the toolpaths

Save the toolpaths without the 2-D contour

Run the job

Run the job on the other side

Finishing

Paint the Exposed wood

Paint the Indents in the letters

Completed CNC Pub Sign

What went well?

The V-carve software really worked for the letters and style that I was going for. Overall the product looked very well put together and will look really good in the spot that was planned

What could be improved?

To improve I couldve checked the offset in the V-carve software. This would've allowed it to be equal and I wouldn't have had to do plaining and fixing mistakes. I also could'e done a better job finding hardware so that it could've been all assembled.

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

I would have gave myself more time to work on other signs to hang from the bottom. I also would've made more of a K bevel instead of an X bevel.

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