CNC Router
In this portion of IDEA, we had to create a maze out of foam, with very specific measurements and dimensions. Besides telling us the detailed requirements needed to complete this project correctly, our teacher let us at it.
I wanted to make a rectangular maze, that was silghtly complicated, but not too much due to my relatively little experience with inventor and Fusion 360. I started to look online for ideas:
I wanted to make a rectangular maze, that was silghtly complicated, but not too much due to my relatively little experience with inventor and Fusion 360. I started to look online for ideas:
Once I got the general gist of what I wanted to do, I just started drawing random pathways, with dead ends and parts that simply looped back to a previous area. At first it was hard to make, due to the fact that I don't make mazes on a regular basis, so I had to restart a couple time because the maze was just too easy.
Once I drew the basic lines, I started using the dimension tool to make sure that the pathways were the exact width that Mr. Willauer wanted them at (5/16 inch wide). I also had to make sure that the maze as a whole was a certain length from the edge. I suspect that the reason Mr. Willauer wanted these so specifically, is to see if we are competent enough to follow instructions to the letter.
Once I drew the basic lines, I started using the dimension tool to make sure that the pathways were the exact width that Mr. Willauer wanted them at (5/16 inch wide). I also had to make sure that the maze as a whole was a certain length from the edge. I suspect that the reason Mr. Willauer wanted these so specifically, is to see if we are competent enough to follow instructions to the letter.
After i made sure the specifications were correct, I then extruded the pathways of my maze into it, not out. They had to be exactly 1/4 of an inch deep, throughout the whole maze.
Once that was finished, I transferred my files over to Fusion 360, where we prepped my file so that the CNC router could recognize it. Along with Mr. Willauer, we changed the rpm, the geometry of the toolpath, the kind of bit on the router, adding "chains" onto the file, etc.
Once we inputted all the settings, we ran the simulation on it to see if I would have any problems on the actual CNC router. At first I thought that I did something wrong, because I thought the simulated bit was cutting into places that I didn't but Mr. Willauer assured me that it was fine, that it was just the path the bit was taking to cut out my maze
Once I successfully completed the simulation I went to the G Code in Fusion and posted the correct toolpath and software so that the router could recognize and correctly produce the file. After, I headed down to the lab and got a straight edge and drew two diagonal lines to find the middle of the foam board so I could cut out my maze. ( You can see this in the finished product). Before cutting out my maze I needed to let the machine know where the middle of the board is.
So I used the sense Z button after setting everything else to zero.
So I used the sense Z button after setting everything else to zero.
Once I successfully cut out my maze, I brushed off the particles on it and also used some scissors to just cut of the remnants of the foam board. There were a couple areas where the router cut where I didn't want to cut. I suspect this is because the begininng and end of the maze are a little lower, so it confused the router a little. Even though this happened, it still works perfectly.
I learned a lot from this portion of IDEA. I learned that the dimensions tool is absolutely invaluable in creating objects the same width and length. I learned that you have to be thorough in everything that you do in Inventor/Fusion 360, because it could possibly change your whole file. I forgot to put in the computer that I wanted to cut the outside of my maze into three rotations, and it messed the whole thing up. I spent almost a whole class period trying to understand what happened. I also learned that it's okay to ask for help, whether it's from your classmates, or it's from your teacher. I could of probably saved a lot of heartache if I had just asked Mr. Willauer to help me with my problem. But either way, making this maze was a learning process which I appreciate.