My 1st Panel

[Polmer]

Hello,

After seeing all the great CNC work coming from members at this site, I decided to purchased a very basic cnc myself. The learning curve was difficult at 1st in trying to understand the steps needed to produce something that looked acceptable.

Anyway, I have still have a long way to go, but I finally got something carved out that wasn't a complete disaster.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii3/Polmer/DSC01294.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii3/Polmer/DSC01293.jpg
Boy, this thing sure is fun to play with!

[388TH_A]

Looks great where did you get your CNC and about how much was it? For now im stuck using plexiglass so that kinda sucks.

Trevor

[Polmer]

Trevor,

I got my CNC kit off of E-bay.
It cost me about $450 US dollars.

Mine only has a working area of 7 inches x 7 inches but came with everything accept the router and software. The bigger one goes for $600

http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Toolworks-Carving-Model-1212/dp/B0037NVPSI

[flatlandpilot]

that wasn't a complete disaster.
welcome with youre first steps with the "tool that can replicate itself"
only a shortage of imagination can stop you now ;)

[Hessel Oosten]

Hi Polmer ! Hi college miller !

We do help you with stimulating comments but also with extrtrtrtrtrteme critizism .....:-), (I hope).
The engravings are in this stage are too deep.

Try with milling / engraving ONLY the paint away. Nothing more. The effect is better.
Depending on the amount of paint layers this is about 0,10-0,15 mm.
Try layers of 0.05 mm and look every time. Stop when the paint is removed and you are satisfied.

Removing burs gives a nice appearance.
Mill it. Ru the burs in the engravings with a finger and mill one time more again, the last milled (deepest) layer.
Than it's all nice and clean.

Hessel

[flatlandpilot]

Ru the burs in the engravings with a finger and mill one time more again, the last milled (deepest)
thanks Hessel, I'll try that. (rub before the last time)

and will try to be more accurate than:
seeing the black layer >> 0.1 deeper, ready :oops:
:D

[Polmer]

Thanks Hessel.

I will try to mill less deep.
I am removing 0.05mm per stage and cut this panel down to 0.20mm.
I will shoot for the minimum during the next go around and try to de-burr before the final cut.

Any criticism is welcome as I really dont know what Im doing yet.

[Buddym]

Welcome to CNC indeed! A hobby unto itself that supports our other hobby (ies)! You have jumped into the deep water now, swim! swim! hehehe Seriously, great work on that panel, I agree too deep, but very nice compared to the giant trenches I cut on my first panels! You have captured the nature of the effort, now you will refine it and tune it, and it will be great. The pride and satisfaction of cutting your panels is awesome, and a feeling you should really revel in, since the next challenge is always just around the corner. Take some time to relish your success, you've earned it!

Buddy

[Polmer]

Ok,

I have backed off on my engraving depth and am now carving at 0.15mm deep.
I am building a B767 cockpit, so I thought I try and work on the Autoland panel found on the MAP.
I used surface mount SMD leds.

I need to add more LEDs, but here is a photo I took today showing how the backlighting works.


http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii3/Polmer/DSC01407.jpg

[737NUT]

Very nice work!

[388TH_A]

Looking BETTER

Trevor

[Anderson/SBSP]

Very good!!! Congrats!!

[Rockeyes]

That's a nice job you have done there. I'm hoping to have a go at CNC myself now I have the basics of CAD sorted. What software do you use or could you recommend?
Looking forward to your next update.
Bill

[Polmer]

Bill,

I am using Mach 3 to control the CNC.
For the CAD/CAM I seem to have settled on Rhino 3-D/ RHino CAM.

There are plenty of great software options available as discussed in the thread below;

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/showthread.php/19655-CNC-Software-recomendations