Carving a board longer than your cnc table

[woodworker1960]

Asking for a bit of help. How can I carve a board that is longer than my cnc table. What is the easiest way to do this. For example, I want to make a growth ruler for a friend but want to make it 6 feet long. My table isn't that long. I've seen somewhere, not sure where, that you can "index" the board. I hope that's the correct term. Any help is certainly appreciated.

Thanks
Richard

[woodworker1960]

Nevermind with this question. I found another thread that covers it. I guess I should log on more than I do.

[Rcnewcomb]

For others who are looking for it, watch the video tutorial on Toolpath Tiling. The help file also has the details on Toolpath Tiling.

From the help file:
Using the Toolpath Tiling options it is possible to machine objects and designs that are many times larger than the available area of your CNC machine bed. This process is also invaluable if the maximum sizes of your material pieces are limited. In both case, a much larger project can still be achieved by breaking the toolpath down into manageable tiles or strips, each of which can fit within the machineable area of your CNC machine, or on the available material blocks. Once cut, the tiles can then be re-assembled to form the finished piece.

The process of tiling begins by creating toolpaths based on the final object entirely as normal – at this stage you do not need to take any account of the available machining bed size. Once you have calculated required toolpaths, click on the toolpath tiling button in the toolpaths pane to open up the toolpath tiling form.

[Leo]

I just finished a 3D dimensional sign 8 feet long in my 24 inch machine.

Toolpath Tiling is the way to go.

The tutorials are great.

[dhellew2]

One additional comment... it will be necessary to position your work for each tile.. you will need some method to insure alignment. One method is the use of guide pins.

Dale

[scottp55]

TJ at Shopbot just gave a step by step tutorial very simple tutorial a few weeks ago for VCarving on my little 18X24" Desktop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di_ooYJ ... e=youtu.be
It's only one way to skin that cat, but at least you get to see a start to finish simple project.
scott