Coasty - CNC Calibration, Quality and Speed Test Coaster

[azab2c]

Coasty - CNC Calibration, Quality and Speed Test Coaster

Latest version on github. win-a-kobalt-router-4-5 motivated me to try out some things I’ve been thinking about. Sharing what I did, hoping it helps others, and to get feedback/suggestions on what to do better? Cheers!

Attempt #1 - Meh…

Purpose

• Practical small (i.e. fast) CNC and Printer project to help learn/practice calibrating CNC and Printer. Try out pocket holes, engraving, contour cut, basic inlay, and color filling.
• Support my beverage.
• Includes Metric and Freedom markers.

Parts / Files

• kobalt-mat.stl model
  • V250_kobalt-mat.3mf Cura 5.4.0 created project file, includes my printer settings.
  • V250_kobalt-mat.gcode Printer gcode uploaded to my MP3DP for printing.
• kobalt-mat-profile.dxf Mat design exported from Fusion 360 sketches I created.
• EstlCam project files:
  • mat-engr.e10 - Pocket holes
  • mat-hole.e10 - Engrave
  • mat-cont.e10 - Contour Cut (includes tabs)
  • NOTE: Used short file names because long filenames don’t render/execute correctly on my ESP3D-Marlin setup.
  • QUESTION: Created file per operation. Please let me know if there’s a way to have single EstlCam project file, that contains multiple layers and/or multiple groups of Cam operations?

Related Work/Topics

• Benchy
• Doing some more speed testing - #2 by azab2c

Assembly

• 220 grit sand smooth, vac and microfiber clean debris/dust.
• 2 coats of spray Shellac
• Pocket, Engrave, Contour…
  • Pocketed using 1.2mm Nano Blue Coat carbide bit (from 40pc set of various bits)
    • https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CD99PWL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  • Engraved using 30deg offset V carving carbide bit
  • Contour cut using 1/8" single flute upcut carbide bit (V1E Shop).
    
• Print PLA parts for inlay…
  
• Test fit inserting inlay parts. Had to reprint PLA ring. Take pic far enough back to hide shoddy cleanup…
  
• Color fill with Acrylic paint. Needs to dry, sand clean, then Shellac again…
  • Color Filling Techniques on Wood for Laser Engraving, CNC and Carving
    
• 320-400 grit Sand to remove rough edges and stains.

Learnings

Attempt #1

• Should’ve engraved deeper, was 0.4mm
• Need to adjust PLA part height and/or Pocket depth. 3D parts too thin.
• Should adjust PLA gap tolerance for inner parts. Gaps were big for inner parts.
• Should update design so 3 corners are same radius. No-one is likely to use this for grouting and care that 6mm and 8mm 45deg chamfers were intentional.
• Consider heating in reflow oven to smooth PLA?

[Peacester (Andrew)]

Okay… but I was supposed to start other project first… grrrrrr… fine I’ll do it. I need a shop coaster anyways

[azab2c]

Nice designs and info in this topic…

Benchy

Since most of us have 3D printers, I know some people buy the printed parts. I am sure most of us have printed benchys. So I propose that we, as a group develop a MPCNC_BENCHY. Or two, one for wood, one for aluminum? The crown is s good test of operation and movement. I propose a g-code that would be more operational. What are the groups thoughts? What would be helpful? What would we test? What would be tested. I am thinking about a code that tests accuracy. repeatability Depth of cut…

Think there’s some other Benchy for CNC inspired topic(s) too?

My next attempt will probably have V1E Logo instead, unless Kobalt Marketing are reading and want to sponsor my coaster build

[srcnet]

Not sure how to say this, but you are now by law required now to make a V1 coaster too.

[MakerJim]

@azab2c

Sharing what I did, hoping it helps others,

THIS IS AWESOME!!
And released on github. Kudos.

@azab2c

My next attempt will probably have V1E Logo instead, unless Kobalt Marketing are reading and want to sponsor my coaster build

I’d vote for that. Not that they’d listen to me.

@srcnet

you are now by law required now to make a V1 coaster

That’s a great comment. It’d be neat to have an easy way to replace the logo part.
It’s on github, so any of us with an itch could submit a pull request. Or we could be lazy and wait for the next version.

[srcnet]

@MakerJim

That’s a great comment. It’d be neat to have an easy way to replace the logo part.

I didn’t want to add the OpenSCAD and SVG import requirement yet haha

[azab2c]

SVG you say… How about CNC’d Holograms using a .STL to SVG converter? Started looking into that ~8 months ago, got distracted and didn’t finish, this is as far as I got…

Stranger Hologram Things [DRAFT]

[RockinRiley (Riley)]

Ok now i have never thought about printed inlays!!! Clever!!!

[vicious1 (Ryan)]

That is brave. This is a test of both machines at the same time…yikes.

[Peacester (Andrew)]

@azab2c link to kobaklt-mat-profile.dxf is broken. I dug through the repository and found it. check links below

listed: v1engineering-mods/cnc-proj/kobalt-coasty at main · aaronse/v1engineering-mods · GitHub %5Bkobalt-mat-profile.dxf%5D

found: v1engineering-mods/cnc-proj/kobalt-coasty/kobalt-mat-profile.dxf at main · aaronse/v1engineering-mods · GitHub

[azab2c]

Crap. Fixed. Thank you @Peacester!

[Peacester (Andrew)]

No problem. I’ll try and post my results here… now to find shop time

[Peacester (Andrew)]

I did it! But a couple issues. Some I know some I don’t.

I used a really soft plywood and out of excitement I hand sanded with 120 grit with caused tear out, and whatnot.

My printer didn’t make a fine tip on one of the tips for all inserts (ideas what caused this? Bad retraction?)

I didn’t cut the pocket deep enough

There is a slight slope to my ruler (I think this is because I need to lube my lead screws, what does everyone use? WD-40 dry lube doesn’t seem to be working well)

So far I don’t see any issues with the cnc that I wasn’t aware of! I need to check the ruler out to make sure but with how everything else turned out I’m happy! I need to redo it with better wood/ply.

[azab2c]

Nice!

Mine tore out pretty bad, especially for markers that go along the grain, am trying with grain rotated 45 deg next… Not sure how to avoid tear out, I need to watch even more YouTube…

Dry ptfe/silicone seems to be recommended for LeadScrews. Don’t want oil/grease that will attract dust/debris. Think Super Lube® Silicone Lubricating Grease with Syncolon® (PTFE) – V1 Engineering Inc is recommended?

@Peacester

My printer didn’t make a fine tip on one of the tips for all inserts (ideas what caused this? Bad retraction?)

I’d take a look at the slicer preview, see if the layer start/end seam is at that same point that’s printing less pointy than you’d expect.