CNC Sign

My Insparation

I like the of making the cardinal into a circular logo
Use these fonts
Using different materials (acrylic, spray paint)
Doing multiple different cuts/ layers
- Circle
- The black back of the cardinal

Link to Project Checklist:

Project Checklist

What I Used:

Materials:

Super Glue
Masking Tape
Masking sheet
Plywood
Spray paint
Sander - Sand paper
Shot Vac
Acetone
Q Tips
Exacto Knife
Clear Coat

Equipment:

CNC machine
Computer
CNC computer
Laser Cutter
- 1/8" Acrylic

Software:

Adobe Illustrator

Fusion 360

Step 1: Designing in Illistrator

Use illustrator to create design
- Start with a 12x12 artboard
- Import the image
- Use image trace for logo
- Copy the A and replace it over the on connected with the cardinal
- Use the pencil tool to reconnect the cardinal
- Duplicate design after assembling all the shapes so that I can go back and edit if needed.
- Separate it into different layer
  - Cut 1 - big and inside circle
  - Cut 2 - outline of cardinal
  - Laser Cut - details
- Export as DXF
- Spray Paint red then cover in a mask

Step 2: Designing in Fusion

This step includes moving your design to Fusion 360 to finish the designing process. When your design in Adobe Illustrator is complete, export the finished file as a DXF. Open the file in Fusion 360 from your downloads. Start off importing a sketch on the x - y plane. Make sure to select the correct layer you are cutting (Cut 1). Once your sketch is visible, use the extrude tool to your desired depth of wood (0.5 inches).

Creating T0olpaths

Figure out how big the piece of wood you are cutting you can use the size of your artboard for this. Then create a new sketch for it to go on. Select the bottom of your piece that you wish to create your sketch on then size down the rectange to fit your design. Round and then finsih by extruding up change extent tense to TO OBJECT. Select something at the top of your sketch and change the operation to New body and make sure it is cutting.

CAM

- Set up
- Stock Tab
- Mode - FROM SOLID
- Body 2 solid stock select
- Setup up tab
- Box point - Click on corner for 0,0,0
- Model — Body 1

2D pocket

Select tool 6
Geometry
- Select Bottom surface
Passes
- Turn off stock to leave
- Turn on multiple depths
  - Verify to make sure it is the correct depth

2d Contour

Select Tool 8
Geometry Tab
- Select bottom edge
Heights Tab
- Bottom heights
  - Offset -.02
Passes Tab
- Multiple Depths
  - Verify
- Simulate

Post Processing/ Running the Job

Post process
- Export as a NC file
- Name file
Email to Makerpace@dawsonschool.org
Running the job
- Download Gcode on CNC Computer
- Mount plywood on CNC using green tape and CA Glue
- Load job into control software
- Set X,Y,Z zeros
- Make sure the air compressor is on
- Run job

Repeat for the Black Cardinal Outline

This step includes moving your design to Fusion 360 to finish the designing process. When your design in Adobe Illustrator is complete, export the finished file as a DXF. Open the file in Fusion 360 from your downloads. Start off importing a sketch on the x - y plane. Make sure to select the correct layer you are cutting (Cut 1). Once your sketch is visible, use the extrude tool to your desired depth of wood (0.5 inches).

Creating Tool paths

Figure out how big the piece of wood you are cutting you can use the size of your artboard for this. Then create a new sketch for it to go on. Select the bottom of your piece that you wish to create your sketch on then size down the rectange to fit your design. Round and then finsih by extruding up change extent tense to TO OBJECT. Select something at the top of your sketch and change the operation to New body and make sure it is cutting.

CAM

- Set up
- Stock Tab
- Mode - FROM SOLID
- Body 2 solid stock select
- Setup up tab
- Box point - Click on corner for 0,0,0
- Model — Body 1

2D Contour

Select Tool 8
Geometry Tab
- Select bottom edge
Heights Tab
- Bottom heights
  - Offset -.02
Passes Tab
- Multiple Depths
  - Verify
- Simulate

Cutting on the CNC

Post process
- Name file
Email to Makerpace@dawsonschool.org
Running the job
- Download Gcode on CNC Computer
- Mount plywood on CNC using green tape and CA Glue
- Load job into control software
- Set X,Y,Z zeros
- Make sure the air compressor is on
- Run job

Spray Painting/ Laser Cutting

Spray paint the Cardinal outline black

Sending to the Laser

- Make sure all of the cut lines have a stroke of 0.001 and no fill. Next make sure you have seleted the correct printer and media size and send to the laser cutter.
  - Cut out the Beak in yellow acrylic
  - Cut out the red outine in clear then spray paint red
  - Cut the Letters/eye in white acrylic
  - Adjust the setting of speed, power, and frequency to the material you are cutting. (1/4 in acrylic, 1/8 in wood.) Set up laser cutter make sure material is in the corret place focus on material turn on fans and run the job. Cut both acrylic for the "glass" part of the frame and wood as a backing.
  - Clean of the burn marks of the back of the arylic

Finishing Touches

Cut a layout for the letters on paper by using the laser cutter
Make sure everything is aligned and super glue everything down
Clean any other marks off the acrylic
Paint and spots that are not fully covered
Clear Coat

Reflection Questions:

1. In your own words describe the major steps to successfully design something in illustrator, use it to model in fusion, and use laser cutter after cutting on the CNC.

First, you'll need to trace the image you choose, and then make sure everything is in the correct layer. Then import into Fusion and create a new sketch make the tool paths and create a 2D contour and 2D pocket. Then send to the CNC and sand. Then spray paint or choose any additional design elements you would like to include with acrylic.

2. What did you learn about the process of painting and masking?

I learned that I needed to spray paint the entire piece of wood then cover in masking before cutting on the CNC. This will make the coat of red clean and smooth.

3. What part of CAD/CAM did you find most complicated or confusing?

I ran into a lot of issues with the letters all the burn marks and how the glue shows through the acrylic. I needed to take of the letters and paint the back so that you couldn't see the glue marks through the acrylic.

4. What lessons did you learn along the way about working through a multi step project?

I learned that I need to think everything through before just doing it, especially the spray painting and gluing.

5. What tools/software did you learn to use in order to create your piece?

I learned how to use masking as well as the CNC, laser cutter, and different techniques of spray painting.