First attempt with Aspire - Business Card Box

[Gippetto]

Hello all,

Today my first attempt with Aspire, reading manual and watching tutorials and than hands-on, so would like to post my first attempt,
it will be the top of a business card box wich i would like to make this week.
My core is building celtic harp, but this software is SO MUCH fun and this could help to make the harp much more beautiful.

So my first attempt as rookie.

Ruud
gippetto.eu

[Gippetto]

And to give you an idea how the box looks like, see attachement.
Couldnt find the same wood..., will post pictures when milled

Ruud
Gippetto.eu

[TReischl]

You are doing good! Looks nice. You will start having even more fun when you move on to the modeling tools, but it is best to start at the beginning like you have done. I like the layout.

Ted

[crocky]

Looks good so far

Would not mind seeing a picture when you cut it

[Thkoutsidthebox]

Looks really great. Nice one!

If I can offer one small thing....I'd make the carving for the strings on the harp shallower. Carving items that thin quite deep can result in them chipping off, its sometimes better to give the effect of strings with a shallower carving. Just m2c. Cant wait to see the finished article!

[Gippetto]

Hello All, thanks for your advice, yesterday I did a similar milling with
the same Harp logo and indeed I do see chipping off as already predicted by Thkoutsidthebox, so I will indeed followup your advice, (how to do I need to learn)
further I took an endmilling(renamed in the library as engravetool) cut for the letter/logo carving. Since I ordered (not received yet) the correct cutter (I couldnt wait ) the result is down here, ofcourse I will post the box when ready..
Another thing I saw is that the pocket (if i am naming it correctly) sometimes is not on the same depth. it could be my vacuumtable, or ofcourse some lost steps.. not sure, maybe some of you have ideas about that.
Furter the corner are not as I made it into Aspire, dont understand what happened.

Thanks again.
Ruud
gippetto.eu

[TReischl]

Uh oh. It appears you are having some difficulties!

You mention that you used an end mill? For smaller, fine work such as this, I am not a fan of spiral type end mills. They tend to chip the work as they pull the fibers upwards. I have had better results with straight flutes.

The corners are also a concern. From what I can see, it appears that your machine is losing steps. Try slowing your feedrate down.

Something else to consider. When doing fine work such as this, tool pressure needs to be considered. Sometimes I will do the V Bit work first. That way the tool is supported on both sides and does not flex away. Other times, I will do a second cut on the exact same path to clean up.

I have also done the same thing on the bottom of pockets. I will do the pocket leaving about .005 inches on the bottom. Then I will pocket it again to the final depth.

This is a very fine piece you are doing, it takes some extra care to get nice results. Possibly slower feedrates, and finish passes. Your design is good, a bit of patience and you will get the result you want!

You might think of including your file with your next posting so we can see how you have things set up?

Ted

[Greasetattoo]

Another thing too is:
The type of wood you are using and the grain of the wood!
Which way the grain of the wood is going too!

There are all types of variables!!

Keep practicing...

[Gippetto]

Thank you all, for your valuable comment, i am trying to mill this week the box with your valuable input, further i am viewing all tutorials and i am also trying to make a birth-sign, where i would like to have a 3dface of the baby in it, the vectorisation of a babypicture is very difficult to work with, to redraw vector and then try to rebuilt the face, i tried, but didnt succeed either, using the 3d image tools didnt fulfill where i am looking for, but i do have a 3d scanner available and will see if i just can scan the head.... (if the parents allow me do do ), nevertheless, does anyone of you have a briliant idea about this??? (using a tool like face shop perhaps?)


Regards Ruud
GIppetto.eu.

"To be an expert, you need to make many mistakes.."

[Thkoutsidthebox]

Did I forget to mention that for a first attempt this LOOKS GREAT! Keep up the good work/fun.