I need to cut a bunch of parallel lines (fret slots) on a curved object (fretboard). In order to get the depth required for the slot at the edges, I have to cut a pretty deep slot (at the center of the fretboard). This means a lot of passes where the bit is cutting air, and then the center of the slot is really deep.
In 2d Estcam, is there a way to create a curved path (curved on the z axis) to follow the plane of the fretboard?
I don’t know of any way to automatically do this. Maybe fusion or freecad can if you 3D modeled the piece?
I would be tempted to try to write the gcode by hand. It is just XYZ locations. But I may be weird.
1 Like
Did you ever figure out a good way to do this?
Hmm, if it’s not a compound radius, I wonder if you could draw it as a cross section in XY, oversized so it’s wide enough for all the frets. Then create the gcode and manually post process it to change X or Y (depending on orientation) to Z. Then you could repeat that gcode at different X or Y (opposite of what you changed) at the right location for each fret. Might want to probe Z in the center of each fret. If it’s a compound radius, that gets a bit complicated.
I’m sure there’s a better way to do this.
It depends on the controller. If you used Estlcam as the controller as well, you could probe the surface and the cut would follow it. No idea whether something like that exists for FluidNC as well.
Yeah, I saw a video demonstrating engraving a mouse. That definitely would work but I’m running FluidNC. I’ll do some looking to see if I can do that on fluidnc, I’m also checking out if freecam can do it.
The reason I want to do it this way is to use a v bit to etch and pre-bevel the slots to minimize tear out and stress on the tiny endmill. But if I can’t figure it out I can just cut the slots before I radius the fretboard.
For anyone interested I think that this project: GitHub - martin2250/OpenCNCPilot: autolevelling gcode-sender for grbl might work. It’s listed as a compatible gcode sender for fluidnc. It’s meant for milling PCBs by wrapping toolpaths to a sampled surface. I’ll try to mess around with it this weekend.
1 Like