NextWave's Chess pieces on a 4th axis rotary

[sjwiehe]

Good morning all:

I have just acquired a 4th axis rotary for my CNC. I have made the NextWave Chess set via the two sided method and really enjoyed the project My thinking was to re-doing the set via the rotary as a way to learn Aspire & rotary.

Here is my problem and where I'm looking for help.

The chess pieces in the VCarve files are two sided (A top side and a bottom side). In order for me to re-create the files for a rotary, from what I can tell, I need to import a complete STL file. In other words the two sides are combined into one solid model.

I can't seem to find a way to export the two sides from the vcarve file into a complete one piece to import into a new rotary file.

Maybe I'm tacking the problem incorrectly. How would I go about cutting the chess set via a rotary rather than the two sided machining method?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Steve

[adze_cnc]

You might try the MeshLab or some editing software instructions here: https://all3dp.com/1/7-free-stl-editors ... stl-files/

[scubanimal]

You could just use the rotary as an automatic flipper. Meaning run the toolpaths with the 4th axis set, then put in the command to rotate 190, then run the second set. You could then put all the toolpaths with the same bit in a single file, just manually insert that rotate command. Don't forget to return the rotation to 0 at the end of the second one. Heck, you might be to do offsets and do several pieces at the same time.
I know, its not what you were looking for initially. Just another way to use that fourth axis.
V/R,
Ian

[Jward1010]

Can anyone help me get a file from other software to Vectric pro

[wb9tpg]

You could use Blender to join the halves then export a single STL file

[Phil]

I also have downloaded the Next Wave chess pieces. https://nextwavecnc.com/projects/.
This issue was addressed four years ago but I'm hoping there will be other solutions to setting the files up for a rotary axis.
The files are set up for two sided machining. The two halves would need to be assembled to work on a rotary axis.
Any suggestions?

Phil

[Wayne Locke]

I would expect that, for chess pieces, both sides are the same. Open it in Aspire and save one side as an STL and choose to save the file by flipping the piece for the back (i can't remember the actual terminology and am not at my design computer) but this will save a full model which can then be imported into a rotary job.

[Tailmaker]

Looking at pictures of the chess pieces there are some that will probably not allow complete machining on a rotary due to undercuts in the x/z plane where the bit tip can move (e.g. under the fins).

[Greolt]

If you don't have your heart set on that particular chess piece design,
then there are plenty of free 3d chess piece models available on the net.

You might find something that you like that is suitable to do on the rotary axis.

Undercuts are always an issue to be got around.

I did my chosen knight using the rotary as an indexer.
Machined from two sides and the rest of the pieces as rotary.