V-Groove Machining

PhotoVCarve is an excellent CNC software program for both 2D and 3D cutting. It creates lines of grooves that vary in width and depth to represent the detail in a photograph or image. The quality of the finished result is very dependent upon a high level of contrast between the material surface and the machined grooves. This information is very important to remember when cutting designs using the PhotoVCarve software.

PhotoVCarve machines dark areas in a photograph with wide groove and the lighter areas to have narrower ones. The software automatically calculates the toolpaths based on the cutter selected and maximum depth of groove required.

This diagram shows how the machined grooves get wider over the dark areas of the eye.

3D Lithophane Machining

Lithophanes are 3D photographs that when viewed in normal lighting look a little dull and lifeless. But when back lit transform into stunning 3D pictures with depth and detail that cannot be seen in a flat 2D photograph.

Lithophanes originate from a process developed back in the mid 1800's for mass producing 3D pictures in porcelain. A 3D design was hand engraved into a thin sheet of beeswax that was placed over a lighted candle to show the effect of light passing through the wax. This master design was then used to make a mold for casting designs in porcelain - varying levels of light to pass through the porcelain depending upon the thickness.

3D Grayscale Machining

PhotoVCarve automatically converts a grayscale image into a 3D height map that can then be carved.

The example below shows how the grayscale image for a 3D model can be converted to a 3D height map and machined using a Ball nose cutter.

More CNC Software for 3D Cutting: Cut3D VCarv Pro Aspire

Very Simple - Yet Very Powerful

The Mach series of CNC programming software was originally developed for the home hobbyist, but has quickly turned into one of the most versatile control packages for industrial use as well.

Here is a screenshot preview of ez Router's Mach3 controller software.

Some Basic Mach 3 Functions:

Converts a standard PC to a fully featured, 6-axis CNC controller.

• Allows direct import of DXF, BMP, JPG, and HPGL files through LazyCam
• Visual Gcode display.
• Generates Gcode via LazyCam or Wizards
• Fully customizable interface
• Customizable M-Codes and Macros using VBscript

Partial List of Features:

Pulse rate selectable at 2500, 35000 and 45000 pulses per second simultaneously on 6 axis. (7 if pulsing a servo spindle).

Full range of G-Code supported. Polar coordinates, spindle, flood, mist, relays, ModBus I/O.

Full List of M-Codes.

User Writable M-Code and Macros using VB script.

Screen Designer for developing your own Screen Layouts.

Turn module threading capability.

Rotatable, zoomable and panning tool path display.

Plasma Torch Height Control with added THC Kit from Campbell Designs.

DXF import for 2.5D G-Code generation.

BMP,JPG imports for Engraving photographs. Multiple techniques supported.

HPGL Import form Corel draw and other drawing programs.

Wizards to create G-Code for various CNC operations, Bolt hole circles, flanges, Milling, Threading...ect.

User Creatable Wizards for further CNC support.

Constant Velocity.

Step/Direction controlled Spindle.

PWM controlled Spindle.

MaxNC10, MaxCL support.

Multipass option for controlled depth iterations from a single job.

AntiCorner Dive for Plasma control.

Tangental Knife control.

You'll find that the Mach3 version of this excellent CNC programming software is standard equipment on every routing or cutting machine by ez Router.

More CNC Software for 2D Cutting: Cut2D BobCAD-CAM SheetCam

Fast and Efficient Cutting

You can quickly and easily convert 3D models into toolpaths using this CNC software program. With Cut3D’s (3D XYZ point data) that can be machined on conventional 3 axis CNC machines. The program is fast and efficient, saving you time and money using its 3D toolpath options and automatic boundary detection with tabs.

• Z Level Roughing
• Raster Finishing
• Cut Out Toolpaths
• Preview machined models in different materials

3D Model Formats

Cut3D includes powerful import filters that work with most of the industry standard mesh file formats.

3D CAD and Graphics Design software packages will typically include standard options for saving 3D models in at least one of the file formats supported by Cut3D. The commonly used design software products are,

• Rhino3D
• 3D Studio
• AutoCAD
• BobCAD
• ProEngineer
• Solid Works
• SolidEdge
• Silo

The internet is a very useful source for 3D models with many web sites offering 3D clipart pieces. Many of these also offer Free models that can be used to test they work with Cut3D.

Cut3D Supported 3D File Types

Sizing and Positioning

3D Models are typically designed in any orientation and at any size. The CNC software functions include options for selecting what faces of the model to machine, mirroring, rotating and setting the required size in Inches or Metric.

The maximum size a model can be machined is often limited by the available material thickness. Cut3D includes options to scale a 3D model proportionally or each axis independently, allowing the Z thickness to be scaled for the material size.

Multi-sided Machining

3D models can be machined as single, double or four sided projects. Simply select the option required and Cut3D calculates the all of the associated toolpaths automatically!

This approach allows 3D models to be machined on conventional 3 axis CNC machines.

For example, when selecting to machine a model on 2 sides Cut3D automatically calculates roughing and finishing toolpaths for the Top and Bottom halves of the design.

Automatic Boundary Detection

When cutting 3D projects it's important to minimize the machining times by not wasting time cutting unwanted regions of the material. Cut3D CNC software includes a unique option for detecting the model boundaries and limiting the toolpaths inside these regions.

This approach ensures the cutter doesn't waste time cutting a complete rectangular region, which is often the case with many other CAM products.

Interactive Tab Placement

When cutting models completely out of the material it's essential to have tabs to stop the job breaking free during machining.

Adding Tabs to a model is very easy. Simply specify the required tab size and click on the model to snap a tab between the material edge and the model.

Roughing Toolpaths

Fast and efficient Z Level rough machining removes unwanted stock material quickly and easily, leaving material on the model for the Finishing toolpath to remove.

The rough machining strategy includes options for profiling at each z level to reduce uneven loading on the finishing cutter.

Finishing Toolpaths

High quality 3D finishing cutterpaths are calculated in seconds. Automatically compensating for the cutter diameter and ensuring gouge free parts off the CNC machine.

Cut Out Toolpath

Once the model has been machined to the required size it can easily be cut out of the material using the Cut Out toolpath. This option automatically calculates the boundary silhouette and calculates a multiple z level profile toolpath to cut around the shape.

The Cut Out toolpath includes the options to preserve or cut through tabs if they have been added to the model.

Model Slicing

When a 3D model is too large / thick to fit under the gantry on your machine or you don't have thick enough material, the model can very easily be 'sliced' into thinner sections. For example, a 24" high model can be sliced into 12 x 2" thick pieces that can then be machined and assembled.

Cut3D automatically detects and machines the 3D edges of each piece of material, minimizing the machining times by not cutting the flat region of the material. Tabs can also be placed on each slice to hold the design in the material during the machining process. The finish slices are assembled to make the full size project.

Realistic Toolpath Preview

The calculated CNC software toolpaths can be simulated into different materials to show exactly what they will produce when run on the CNC machine.

Surface finish and level of detail the selected cutters will produce on the finished model can quickly be assessed before actually running the job on the machine.

The waste material surrounding a machined model can be deleted to display only the preview of the model.

High quality rendered images of the 3D preview can be saved and supplied to customers for job quotations and approval. These images are also prefect for web site content and marketing materials such as brochures and posters.

Estimated Machining Times

Cut3D automatically calculates the theoretical cutting times for each of the toolpaths using the specified feed rates.

A scaling factor can be used to improve the accuracy of the estimated timings when cutting 3D toolpaths. This is often needed because the CNC equipment may not achieve the programmed feed rates when running in 3D mode.

More CNC Software for 3D Cutting: Aspire VCarv Pro Lithopane Carving