Embedded Files
This is how to make a CNC Topography Map. First, find your desired STL. I found mine from Terrain2STL. Next, import your STL into Fusion 360. You can do this by going into design, inserting, inserting mesh, and then selecting the file from your computer.
Next, your STL will probably be way to big to print at first, mine was 5 miles long. You can fix this by scaling it down. Select you whole model by highlighting the whole thing with your curser and then go to modify, scale, and play around with the scale settings until you have reached your desired length.
This last step is optional but I did this so that I could have a border. Go to create, new sketch, then add 2 rectangles, one that is wider than you model and one that is slightly smaller than you model. then click minish sketch and extrude it to your desired length. I did half the high of my model. I.E. my model was 2 inch tall, and my border was one inch tall.
We will start creating the tool paths once you have finished your desired demotions and model look. We are going to set up your "set up." First, switch your project from design to manufacture.
Next, create a new setup and select the stock box point. For the stock point, select the "front-left-top" corner of the fixed-size box.
Next, go to the stock tab and select the fixed-size box. At the bottom of the tab, you will see your project dimensions. Make sure that the X and Y have at least a .5-inch clearance from your project guidelines. For example, your fixed-size box should have a width and length clearance of 0.5 in. Once you have finished all this, select OK.
Next, you will want to select the 3D adaptive clearing tool. Make sure you select your desired tool. This will be a roughing cut, so make sure to use a bigger tool. I used a half-inch bit. Next, go over to the passes tab, select stock to leave, and select multiple depths. Set your stock to leave at half of all the bits you will use next combined. I used a 1/8-in bit and then a 1/32-in bit after my first cut, so my stock to leave was 0.145. The maximum roughing stepdown is how far down your tool will go per stepdown; this should be half the diameter of the tool. then click ok.
Next, select the parrel cut option. Use the same settings you used for your 3-D adaptive cut with a few key differences. Recalculate your stock to leave only incorporating your last tool and unselect stock to leave. This is an intermediate cut that we use only so that your final cut goes smoothly. Finally, run a third parallel cut with your finishing tool, unselect stock to leave, and change your stepover to 20% of your tool's diameter. This will be the longest cut of your project. Lastly, once you have cut out all of the 3d artifacts., you will select 2D contour. Select your desired tool again, then go to the geometry tab and select the silhouette option. This will select to cut out all the boards that you have on your project. Next, go over to the passes tab, unselect stock to leave, and select multiple depths. The maximum roughing stepdown is how far down your tool will go per step down. This should be half the diameter of the tool. Then click OK.
CNC cutting
CNC cutting
Lastly run your desired post processing software and save it to you desired location, then send to the CNC machine and complete the precut checks. once you finished this start you print.
Post Proccessing
Post Proccessing
Once you have finished printing there is not much left to do, Sand the desired parts to perfection and paint (spray paint is recommended). this is the last step to once you finish this your done.
Reflection
Reflection
What went well?
Using the parallel cuts went well for me. It allowed me to do my intermediate cut and my final cut very fast. This also let me generate in high detail with little time wasted.
What could be improved?
Next time, I would have looked more into ways to do a rough cut on 3d STL Meshs. This was one of the most tedious parts of my design as using the 3d Adaptive cut made my computer crash and the other options did not allow for the same level of detail.
What would you do differently if you were to do this project again?
If I did this again, I would be more careful and find a more efficient way to make a roughing cut. Fusion probably has much better options for this type of operation, and I think I could incorporate 2D pockets and parallels to get my desired roughing cut.
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