I am working on making a few designs, while I await delivery of my PRO XL, and was wondering if there were some rules of thumb (or just general guidance) on some design issues.
Some of the questions I have:
How much space do I need to leave between parts?
how much space to the outside of parts is needed for clamping/workholding?
What is a reasonable tab spacing?
I noticed I can combine multiple contours into one tool path. Is this better or doing them separately better?
How much tolerance is needed on the joinery? I have put about 5 thousandths for a lid sliding in a slot. Enough or too much?
The clamping and spacing are probably the biggest concerns at the moment.
Clearance is clearance — I try for a couple of mm (basically the length of the tab at the end of an essential clamp) — more for larger parts/clamps — a good guideline is at least half the stock thickness
I like at least one at each edge/corner — for larger parts, every 6" to 12" (remember, each tab you add has to be removed)
Multiple contours in one toolpath are convenient and easy, but may result in less efficient cutting. One toolpath for each contour allows complete control over ordering.
This depends on the material and how accurately the tool is cutting compared to its entered diameter — I’ve taken to just designing to actual size, cutting a prototype and then adjusting based on measuring how the prototype fits (usually I can manage to get it together w/ a bit of judicious trimming/sanding/filing).
I’ve learned to love double sided tape lol sounds crazy but clamps don’t always work as well as I’d like …I’m new to shapeoko , but I’m learning from every cut I make . All measurements , placements of stock and clamps change with each new cut . Creating a file to cut is pretty much up to the creator lol I just play with it and see what I can make . I hope to perfect my trial and error cuts before long …in the meantime I’m gonna have fun discovering what my shapeoko pro can do !
I have a Shapeoko 3 with a spoilboard that has 2 inch spacing with Tee nuts. I have used cam clamps for most of the Shapeoko’s life. Recently I have been using painters tape and super glue. I use an L bracket that has been squared to the spindle and place the material down so it is square. Sometimes I remove the L bracket after the material is set. I have a full complement of types of clamps, tiger, gator, stops, cam clamps of various sizes, so and so on. However the painters tape and super glue are starting to take over because I dont have to worry about clamps in the way. I mostly cut wood so keep that in mind. Not sure how well the painters tape and super glue work on metal.