FreeCAD version 17 is almost ready to be released. It will have a thoroughly overhauled CAM workbench called ‘Path’. I’ve done some videos and posts about this workbench over the last year or so and it has come a long way. I’m starting a new video tutorial series which will be more thorough and give…
Tag: cnc
A little bit about Path Start Points.
Adding support for Arch Panels in FreeCAD Path.
A lot of projects include multiple parts made from a single sheet of uniform material – like a sheet of plywood. This causes some trouble in a CAD/CAM application You want to keep your overall model/assembly intact, but the build assembly isn’t the same as the cutting layout. You need to translate and rotate parts…
Dogfooding with FreeCAD Path
“Eating your own dog food, also called dogfooding, is a slang term used to reference a scenario in which a company uses its own product to validate the quality and capabilities of the product” I have a whole pile of old Altoid tins that I use to store small screws and such. The tins had…
Understanding My Enemy
My interests in CNC and machining developed over a period of years in a very organic way. I have no formal training in either engineering or manufacturing –my interests were born out of necessity. Learning that way is great if you have the time and patience. Sometimes, however, it’s just frustrating. You find yourself…
Sliptonic has a (frickin) laser!
Well, not quite….yet. I found an old Universal Laser Systems model 25A for sale at a surplus auction. It looked to be in good shape and went cheap. After I got it home and cleaned up, I found that I couldn’t get the laser head to fire. I called in some expert assistance from Columbia…
Am I too proud…?
Designing the thing you want to make takes a lot time, thought, and expertise earned by trial and error. Designing a way to actually make the thing is the same. I’m amazed at how much effort and creativity I have to put into holding strategies. So when it comes right down to it, am I…
Recycled aluminum – first casting
I’m still tuning the new foundry but it’s working pretty well now. I did my first real casting with it yesterday. This was also my first full cycle project. Design in CAD, Cut in foam on the CNC router, cast in aluminum. I wish the finish was a little nicer. Next time I’ll take more…
Arrow of Light – Profiling
The corners are just a simple curve and the profile operation is similarly simple. Since I don’t want the cutter to travel all the way around the plaque but rather just cut the corners, I have to move those arcs and line segments into a new sketch. Then I select the sketch and add a…
Arrow of Light – Getting Started
O.K. It’s time to get this project rolling. I’ve already finished the design, now it’s time to turn it into some plaques. I’m going to be making nine plaques and each plaque is going to have numerous operations including Pocketing the holes Profiling the curved edges Engraving the names and other information Drilling the…