We already have a small CNC router but we are looking to buy a 3x2m machine to get maximum efficiency when cutting sheets (foamex and acrylic around here are 3.05x2.05m).
One thing that we do a lot and would like to do on the CNC is contour cutting of printed and applied images on a substrate. So basically I'd like to apply the prints on foamex for example and then have the CNC contour cut the shape of the print. I'd apply a decent bleed on the image so the accuracy doesn't have to be spot on but it should be within a few millimeters.
I've figured already how this could be done for a single instance. You basically put down a small cross when you're printing the image, then you outline the image and export it with the cross to a dxf, import it into your CAM software and use the x as the machining origin for the CNC. Then you apply the print onto the substrate, put it onto the CNC and guide your tool exactly onto the X and set the work piece origin there and just start the process.
The problem I have with this approach though is that if you want to do multiple copies you either have to set the whole thing up in the "drawing" software, compared to making copies in your rip as you normally would.
So far I only see two options on how to do this for dozens of copies automatically:
Do the approach I outlined above with the cross and you just create all the copies in your illustration software and export it all as one dxf file with outlines and just create the paths in your CAM later on with each cross service as the machining origin for each part or you would have to set the x manually for each workpiece, which is really tedious and not something I'd want to do.
Is there any other way to do contour cuts on printed graphics without an optical sensor on the CNC ?
Your help is deeply appreciated!
One thing that we do a lot and would like to do on the CNC is contour cutting of printed and applied images on a substrate. So basically I'd like to apply the prints on foamex for example and then have the CNC contour cut the shape of the print. I'd apply a decent bleed on the image so the accuracy doesn't have to be spot on but it should be within a few millimeters.
I've figured already how this could be done for a single instance. You basically put down a small cross when you're printing the image, then you outline the image and export it with the cross to a dxf, import it into your CAM software and use the x as the machining origin for the CNC. Then you apply the print onto the substrate, put it onto the CNC and guide your tool exactly onto the X and set the work piece origin there and just start the process.
The problem I have with this approach though is that if you want to do multiple copies you either have to set the whole thing up in the "drawing" software, compared to making copies in your rip as you normally would.
So far I only see two options on how to do this for dozens of copies automatically:
Do the approach I outlined above with the cross and you just create all the copies in your illustration software and export it all as one dxf file with outlines and just create the paths in your CAM later on with each cross service as the machining origin for each part or you would have to set the x manually for each workpiece, which is really tedious and not something I'd want to do.
Is there any other way to do contour cuts on printed graphics without an optical sensor on the CNC ?
Your help is deeply appreciated!
