Design file to cutable file, HOW?

[markc001 (Carl Markham)]

After hours of watching the training videos, I still can’t see how to save a design into a cutable format, and import into Motion.
I save the design and try to import into “Motion” and it say there is no G code.
HELP!

[Redlander (Tim Jones)]

Welcome to the forum!

All I do is design the file and then select “save as” in CC, and then save wherever you want on your computer/external drive. Right now I just started a folder on the desktop.

Then go to “load file” in Carbide Motion and select said file to import.

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

Did you create toolpaths?

https://carbide3d.com/hub/courses/create/toolpaths/

did you get a 3D preview of the simulated toolpaths which matches how you want the design to cut?

https://carbide3d.com/hub/courses/create/simulation/

Were you successful at “Hello World”?

https://carbide3d.com/hub/courses/running-shapeoko/hello-world/

c.f.,

"Hello World" in Carbide Motion 536 and later

Carbide Motion has received a number of updates, and the screens have changed a bit. Here is a version of “Hello World” done using the new version. At the page: there was a link to the files needed for this in a .zip archive — this has now moved to: https://my.carbide3d.com/gswso/09/ https://docs.carbide3d.com/tutorials/hello-world/s3_hello_world.zip click on that link to download the files: [image] “Save” Once the file has downloaded: [image] “Open Folder” The folder will open in…

did you then follow up with:

https://carbide3d.com/hub/courses/running-shapeoko/hello-contour/

and so forth?

If you’re still stuck, let us know the specifics of your file and what you are doing step-by-step (or check in at support — have you done a training session yet?).

[Redlander (Tim Jones)]

Will brings up a good point I didn’t mention, design, create tool path, save as.

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

A further consideration is that there have been a couple of different file formats for this over the years — the current is to have the toolpaths in the .c2d file and send that to Carbide Motion which then extracts the G-code to send to the machine.

Details at:

https://carbide3d.com/blog/carbide-create-v7/

[markc001 (Carl Markham)]

Not sure what I was doing wrong but it is working. Just as simple as you said. Very thankful for everyone’s responses.

[markc001 (Carl Markham)]

I got it to work now. Thanks for all the suggestions I will go back and try the “hello world” now that you told me how to find the file. Much appreciated !!!

[markc001 (Carl Markham)]

I have the file uploaded now but yes, I will go ahead try the hello world "project again now.

Thanks so much

[markc001 (Carl Markham)]

Thanks, this article is very helpful.
I think I was saving and opening the tool path and not the .c2d format

Thanks

[markc001 (Carl Markham)]

I did not do the tool paths. I will try that.
I did do the hello world. Guessing that can with the tool paths.
Haven’t done the training yet, but I think I will need to. Too much like asking directions (not manly, ha ha)

Thanks for all the info. I have cut a circle so far, not sure how that worked. There is hope.

[Redlander (Tim Jones)]

If you were able to cut a circle you’re on your way. I only learned by watching the training videos and performing simple designs and then running them on the machine. It gets easier and rewarding as well.

Another option is downloading a few simple files from CutRocket, see how they are designed with the tool paths assigned. Open the file in Carbide Create, this will allow you to see the specific setting for bits used, settings for the cuts etc. (Just check the software version used for files on CutRocket, older version are not compatible with V8 if not saved in V7 prior)

You just have to keep learning, asking for help is ok.

[markc001 (Carl Markham)]

Opening other files to learn is a great idea.

Seems not setting the tool paths was my issue.
I’ve now cut a letter that I imported but can’t figure out how to have it cut full depth in one pass and
not cut in multiple passes.
I somehow have it set to cut only .1” per pass. Do you know where that setting is?
Is it In Create or Motion?

Thanks for your help.

[WillAdams (William Adams (Carbide 3D))]

For a CNC, it is usual to cut in multiple passes — remember you’re using a tool which doesn’t have positional feedback — each time it tries to make a motion you have to ensure that the forces involved are such that the machine will be able to make the step with essentially absolute certainty.

Where possible avoid slotting and add geometry and cut as a pocket

Making vacuum hose adapters

While cutting up vacuum extension wands for this is expedient, it’s a bit problematic given that Shop Vac recently filed for bankruptcy, was bought at the last minute, and production hasn’t caught up. I need a receptacle for the Sweepy 2.0 dust fitting — one option would be to purchase one from Woodcraft, but Carbide 3D sells blocks of HDPE: which looks to be just barely big enough for things to fit. Measuring the hose fitting I get a diameter of ~63.5mm — offsetting that twice we arrive at…

and/or

Adding geometry to cut as a pocket with a finishing pass

One technique which is often suggested to avoid slotting is to add geometry around a part which one wishes to cut out and cut as a pocket down to tab depth — here’s one technique for that. In this case, the project is a bevel gauge which will be cut out of 0.0625" (~1.5mm) thick aluminum: [bevelgauge] Due to the narrowness of the angles, an 0.03125" endmill has to be used, so after importing and scaling the file (we will be cutting out one which is 3") we select the perimeter and offset it tw…

and consider leaving a roughing clearance and taking a finishing pass.

Best Bit for full cut through

One which has a cutting flute length equal to or greater than the thickness of the stock — pretty much any tool should work. Big thing is the toolpaths — if cutting out, rather than just cutting a slot: [image] Offset to the outside by endmill diameter plus 10% or so: [image] [image] [image] Then cut as a pocket: [image] down to tab height or the penultimate pass: [image] then move the contour down to below the pocket and start cutting at the bottom of the pocket: [image] and…

For an example of testing see:

Feeds and Speeds: 150 IPM @ 1/4" DOC in Walnut

I had one project take several hours to cut so I needed to see how far I could go on Feeds and Speeds to reduce the machining time. Last night I did several tests (32 to be exact) and found that the Shapeoko Pro can actually cut walnut pretty aggressively; as long as you choose the right operation. With a 2D Adaptive toolpath, I got as high as 150 IPM (3800 mm/min) with a 1/4" depth of cut. That means the test cut finishes in less than a minute; versus just under 4 minutes for a conservative 1/…

[Redlander (Tim Jones)]

If you want to change parameters for the tool path you will need to be in CC—>tool path tab. Select the tool path, right click and select “edit tool path”. This will open the original side window for the tool path you created. At this point you can edit any of the areas available for the specific tool path created, contour, pocket etc.

Remember to “save” (or “save as” if you want a new file) the file and then reload into CM.

You need to make sure the tooling and stock thickness will allow full depth passes as Will points out above, if not you may break a bit or skip step on the machine. I would use the standard settings for now until you get used to the material you’re cutting. I still do when using bits with a cut diameter less than 1/8”. I’m ok with slower feed speeds for the detail of the smaller bits in wood. Other material such as plastics and metals need higher feed rates but even then it’s relative to bit size.