Hello,
This is my first time posting in the Vectric Forum for quite some time and hope that someone might be able to help me. I have had my Vectric software for several years, but have not used it until recently. Therefore, I know little about the software or how it actually works. I have been watching the tutorial videos and trying to understand how to make the software do what I desire, and therein rests my biggest challenge. I seem to only find the opposite of what I desire. With that being said, I'm trying to make grips for a 1911 handgun out of wood and found some profiles on the GrabCad website. However, most of them are in either STL or igs.
Is it possible to have VCarve Pro generate gcode to cut the grips on my CNC machine? Can some explain how to accomplish this?
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide to me.
Rod
Creating CNC tool path from a STL file
-
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2020 1:37 am
- Model of CNC Machine: Openbuilds Leads 1010
- ohiolyons
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 1702
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 7:16 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Laguna IQ
- Location: Kettering, Ohio
Re: Creating CNC tool path from a STL file
Import the STL file.
Position it in the material.
Create toolpath both roughing and finishing.
There are detailed tutorials on vectric website and youtube on the importing process as well as creating toolpaths.
Position it in the material.
Create toolpath both roughing and finishing.
There are detailed tutorials on vectric website and youtube on the importing process as well as creating toolpaths.
John Lyons
CNC in Kettering, Ohio
CNC in Kettering, Ohio
- sharkcutup
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 2885
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
- Location: U.S.A.
Re: Creating CNC tool path from a STL file
1.) Import grip model.
2.) In job setup adjust model within material board.
3.) Create roughing toolpath
4.) Create Finish toolpath
5.) Preview toolpaths
6.) If toolpaths are acceptable save them using correct pot processor for your machine.
Quick and dirty - any questions?
Sharkcutup
2.) In job setup adjust model within material board.
3.) Create roughing toolpath
4.) Create Finish toolpath
5.) Preview toolpaths
6.) If toolpaths are acceptable save them using correct pot processor for your machine.
Quick and dirty - any questions?
Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554
- martin54
- Vectric Archimage
- Posts: 7339
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2012 2:12 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Gerber 48, Triac PC, Isel fixed gantry
- Location: Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Re: Creating CNC tool path from a STL file
If you go to the tutorial section & use the keyword search with stl then you will find a tutorial explaining how to import an stl file into the software, the tutorials are always the latest version. What version of the software are you using? Other thing you could try is a search on youtube for importing an stl with your version number as a lot of youtube content will have been created using older versions
Look up Mark Lindsay on youtube, he has a whole section on CNC for that absolute beginner so there will be a lot there to help you.
Have a search on the forum as gun grips have been talked about a few times & there are files you can download from some of those posts, pretty sure 1911 grips are one of the types that people have added files for but no idea what they are like
Look up Mark Lindsay on youtube, he has a whole section on CNC for that absolute beginner so there will be a lot there to help you.
Have a search on the forum as gun grips have been talked about a few times & there are files you can download from some of those posts, pretty sure 1911 grips are one of the types that people have added files for but no idea what they are like
- SteveNelson46
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 2282
- Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:43 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Camaster Stinger 1
- Location: Tucson, Az.
Re: Creating CNC tool path from a STL file
Do a search hear on the forum for "pistol grips". Lots of info on how others have made some great looking pistol grips for different types of pistols.
Steve
-
- Vectric Craftsman
- Posts: 232
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2017 9:13 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: 24 X 36 3 Axis
- Location: Ipswich, South Dakota
Re: Creating CNC tool path from a STL file
A while back I designed a set of 1911 grip panels in VC Desktop. I used tool paths entirely within the program, no stl. needed. The result is a basic smooth grip panel onto which you can project any design or stl.; Rampant Colt for example. The design has one anomaly I couldn't resolve. Because the moulding tool paths overlap as the drive rails approach the top of the panels, there is a sleight thinning of the profile. Only a few thousandths and not really noticeable in function, but it is there.
Ed
Ed
- Attachments
-
- 1911 Grip Panels L&R9.5.crv
- (690 KiB) Downloaded 57 times
- sharkcutup
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 2885
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
- Location: U.S.A.
Re: Creating CNC tool path from a STL file
I would like to point out that there are some problems with some of the vectors in that file. I used the Vector Validator and found that there are many overlaps and intersections on the profile vector of either the RH or LH grip. I would have provided an new file but that takes all the "FUN" out of finding and fixing the file.
Happy Hunting!!!
Sharkcutup
Happy Hunting!!!
Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554
- adze_cnc
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 4325
- Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2013 10:08 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: AXYZ 4008
- Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Re: Creating CNC tool path from a STL file
The offending overlap is the shape in the "Layer 2" layer. It's actually an open shape that loops back upon itself. In the image I just moved a bunch of nodes aside to show the loop-back. There is an extra arc on the right side that I didn't catch in the image.
- sharkcutup
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 2885
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
- Location: U.S.A.
Re: Creating CNC tool path from a STL file
WOW!!! Good Job Stephen!!!
Interesting Hunting, HUH???
I have created models for both right and left grips. Just finished adding a double Diamond cross hatch pattern to the Right Grip.
Sharkcutup
Interesting Hunting, HUH???
I have created models for both right and left grips. Just finished adding a double Diamond cross hatch pattern to the Right Grip.
Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554