I'm trying to use FreeCAD to create the CNC code to create raised lettering from a block of stock (I've successfully done engraving using ShapeString). I'm clearly missing something fundamental. Near as I can tell, I need to use a sketch built from the base ShapesString in order to construct a perimeter which in turn **should** allow me to identify as a face the stock outside of the lettering. I've tried a number of approaches and all have failed.
In the attached project, I have a sketch (Sketch001) from the letter ShapeString. I have a sketch (Sketch) used to make a Pad for the stock and a third sketch (Sketch002) which is the merge of the other sketches with the intent of using it to guide the Paths. (In an earlier attempt, I just used the ShapeString which I extruded to create the desired 3D body, but could not get Path to work outside of the lettering)
I've been unable to find an example to follow which would be great or any advice on where I went wrong or how to proceed would be appreciated. I did validate the sketch.
I'm running:
OS: Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS (ubuntu:GNOME/ubuntu)
Word size of OS: 64-bit
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.19.
Build type: Release
Branch: unknown
Hash: 9e3b630bbfb6807e93eeffb655e6c20f218644fc
Python version: 3.8.5
Qt version: 5.12.8
Coin version: 4.0.0
OCC version: 7.5.1
Locale: English/United States (en_US)
The project can be retrieved from: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cqKsgM ... sp=sharing
Thanks,
--Don
CNC Path for Raised Lettering
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Re: CNC Path for Raised Lettering
If you want to mill around the string you can use a profile operation:
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- SnipScreenshot-cd7263.png (44.5 KiB) Viewed 717 times
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Re: CNC Path for Raised Lettering
Thanks for the reply. I thought I tried that. Am I correct that:
(1) Create Part - Body - stock (reversed on XY plane)
(2) Create ShapeString in Part (not Body) - position slightly above XY plane
(3) Create Job - Run Profile.
Am I missing something?
Thx,
--Don
(1) Create Part - Body - stock (reversed on XY plane)
(2) Create ShapeString in Part (not Body) - position slightly above XY plane
(3) Create Job - Run Profile.
Am I missing something?
Thx,
--Don
Re: CNC Path for Raised Lettering
I just took your model and created the profile - without selecting anything. That means you can create the ShapeString in Draft workbench in XY plane and create the job directly.
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Re: CNC Path for Raised Lettering
(sorry, was pulled away so just got a chance to try it). You are right. I'm a little confused that I don't need to specify the base geometry in order to select which 'faces' to mill, but it certainly works.
Thanks,
--Don
Thanks,
--Don
Re: CNC Path for Raised Lettering
There used to be a separate operation "Contour", which did what now is done by Profile without any separate base geometry: create a mill path around the whole object. This concept fits well into the FreeCAD philosophy, you find it e.g. with ShapeBinders or paths for PartDesign sweeps.
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