Question on cutting connected letters

This forum is for users to post tips and tricks they have found useful while working with VCarve Pro
Post Reply
Jhightower87
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Laguna Swift

Question on cutting connected letters

Post by Jhightower87 »

Hello! I frequently cut numbers out from solid maple, cherry, and walnut. I have someone wanting some numbers cut that are connected, so instead of the number 12 being two separate numbers, they would be together. I am attaching a photo for reference. I am trying to figure out how to set up my toolpaths so that I can accomplish this. Can’t figure it out! Help please!
Attachments
5CA7E900-892D-4C8A-9E47-2B610436DCC0.jpeg

User avatar
highpockets
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 3667
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 4:04 pm
Model of CNC Machine: PDJ Pilot Pro

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by highpockets »

Something like this?
Attachments
Image 879.png
John
Maker of Chips

User avatar
Rcnewcomb
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5887
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Contact:

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by Rcnewcomb »

Or this?
Attachments
Together12.jpg
TOgether12.crv
(195 KiB) Downloaded 77 times
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

Jhightower87
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Laguna Swift

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by Jhightower87 »

Rcnewcomb wrote:
Sun Jun 14, 2020 11:41 pm
Or this?
Something like the 1 and the 2 connected with a bar would work. How can I go about achieving it?

User avatar
adze_cnc
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4327
Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2013 10:08 pm
Model of CNC Machine: AXYZ 4008
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by adze_cnc »

You’ll need 3 vectors and 2 toolpaths:

Vectors: one each for the “1” and “2”. One having the “1” & “2” connected by a bar.

Toolpaths: one profile toolpath that cuts part-way down around the “1” and “2” individual vectors (see highpocket’s image). One that cuts all the way though the material around the composite “1” and “2” connected by a bar vector,

Jhightower87
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Laguna Swift

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by Jhightower87 »

adze_cnc wrote:
Mon Jun 29, 2020 10:35 pm
You’ll need 3 vectors and 2 toolpaths:

Vectors: one each for the “1” and “2”. One having the “1” & “2” connected by a bar.

Toolpaths: one profile toolpath that cuts part-way down around the “1” and “2” individual vectors (see highpocket’s image). One that cuts all the way though the material around the composite “1” and “2” connected by a bar vector,

My confusion comes is on the second part--cutting all the way through. How can I tell the program to cut the letters out around the bar without separating them from it? It seems like I would have to cut off the portion of the number toolpath where the bar is to keep the file from cutting that part. Or is there any easier way?

User avatar
highpockets
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 3667
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 4:04 pm
Model of CNC Machine: PDJ Pilot Pro

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by highpockets »

Here's how I did it...

I created 2 layers, "Numbers" & "Bar"

On Numbers I put "12" with a box around the numbers.

On Bar I copied the numbers, added the bar, converted the numbers to vectors and used the Trim tool to combine the numbers and bar into one closed vector.

I created a Pocket Toolpath using the vectors from the Numbers layer setting the depth of the pocket to .0625" to set the thickness of the bar. You can get creative with the box vector to speed things up.

Then I created a Profile Toolpath using the vectors from the Bar layer to cutout everything out.
Attachments
Image 895.png
Image 896.png
Image 897.png
Image 898.png
John
Maker of Chips

User avatar
Rcnewcomb
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5887
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Contact:

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by Rcnewcomb »

My approach was similar to Johns.
Enter "1 2" in a text box
Draw a rectangle that overlaps the 1 and the 2.
Convert the text to vectors.
Copy everything to a new layer.
Use the scissors tool to trim away the text and rectangle vector so you are left with the connector that follows the shape of the text.
Screen Shot 2020-06-29 at 4.56.19 PM.png
Use these vectors for the pocket toolpath that is 1/2 the thickness of your material.
Screen Shot 2020-06-29 at 4.59.02 PM.png
Go back to the original layer.
Use the scissors tool to trim away sections of the rectangle and the text where the bar connects
Screen Shot 2020-06-29 at 4.54.14 PM.png
Use these vectors for the Cutout toolpath.
Screen Shot 2020-06-29 at 5.03.23 PM.png
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

User avatar
Rcnewcomb
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5887
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Contact:

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by Rcnewcomb »

Here is the CRV file
Attachments
Connected12.crv
(312 KiB) Downloaded 77 times
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

User avatar
highpockets
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 3667
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 4:04 pm
Model of CNC Machine: PDJ Pilot Pro

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by highpockets »

What Randall said.... :lol: :lol: :lol:
John
Maker of Chips

User avatar
adze_cnc
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4327
Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2013 10:08 pm
Model of CNC Machine: AXYZ 4008
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by adze_cnc »

Jhightower87 wrote:
Mon Jun 29, 2020 11:48 pm
How can I tell the program to cut the letters out around the bar without separating them from it?
By having the bar connect the two numbers so that the composite is one vector. The profile can then be cut around that.

Imagine you have two vertical rectangles representing two number ones. Connecting a bar to those and you would have a shape like the letter “H”. This can be done by drawing two horizontal lines between the two ones and then trimming away those parts of the "ones" that you don’t need.




Creep, crawl, walk, run.

Jhightower87
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Laguna Swift

Re: Question on cutting connected letters

Post by Jhightower87 »

You have all been very helpful! Thank you all!

Post Reply