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Makerspace posted a link to the BeeHome project on Facebook and this is my WIP followup on how you can cut your bee home design on our X-Carve using Easel.
When you import your dxf design into Easel all paths will default to full depth "Cut on shape path". Every single path will have to be redefined. The image is an example of paths set to cut inside/pocket and outside. The generated designs are for 30mm thick material and need to be tweaked for 1" (25.4mm) material. Simplified versions (no perimeter stepping/recessed openings) might be doable w/ 3/4" material.
This is pretty advanced Easel usage requiring a lot of fussing around with selection (click drag/ctrl Z) editing and send/bring to back/front skills (or multiple workpieces). If you can find/fix the flaw in the example image you'll do fine (hint: bottom right, not the missing tabs).
Pocket cut depths for 30mm material:
bee holes: 5/6/7/8mm wide = 5/6/7/8mm
stepped perimeter cuts: 20mm
fixed mount: 10mm and 20mm
wedge thinning and bowtie pocket: 24mm
T head recess: 20mm
... Estlcam makes things a lot easier because it can read layers. The BeeHome project layer names have all the information needed to cut each layer. The Estlcam autodetect function works when the appropriate closed shape priority is selected (mostly holes/inside). Other important information is bit size, cut depth and pocket. Using the specified 30mm thick stock would male doing this a lot easier. While not readily available, 5/4 (31.75mm) surfaced to 30mm would do it. Makerspace doesn't have a 6mm collet or bit, but 1/8" would work (slower) and would probably be a better choice than 1/4" (6.35mm) on the wimpy X-Carve.
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Custom Bee Homes
Makerspace posted a link to the BeeHome project on Facebook and this is my WIP followup on how you can cut your bee home design on our X-Carve using Easel. When you import your dxf design into Easel all paths will default to full depth "Cut on shape path". Every single path will have to be redefined. The image is an example of paths set to cut inside/pocket and outside. The generated designs are for 30mm thick material and need to be tweaked for 1" (25.4mm) material. Simplified versions (no perimeter stepping/recessed openings) might be doable w/ 3/4" material.
This is pretty advanced Easel usage requiring a lot of fussing around with selection (click drag/ctrl Z) editing and send/bring to back/front skills (or multiple workpieces). If you can find/fix the flaw in the example image you'll do fine (hint: bottom right, not the missing tabs).
Pocket cut depths for 30mm material:
bee holes: 5/6/7/8mm wide = 5/6/7/8mm
stepped perimeter cuts: 20mm
fixed mount: 10mm and 20mm
wedge thinning and bowtie pocket: 24mm
T head recess: 20mm
... Estlcam makes things a lot easier because it can read layers. The BeeHome project layer names have all the information needed to cut each layer. The Estlcam autodetect function works when the appropriate closed shape priority is selected (mostly holes/inside). Other important information is bit size, cut depth and pocket. Using the specified 30mm thick stock would male doing this a lot easier. While not readily available, 5/4 (31.75mm) surfaced to 30mm would do it. Makerspace doesn't have a 6mm collet or bit, but 1/8" would work (slower) and would probably be a better choice than 1/4" (6.35mm) on the wimpy X-Carve.