I’d like to create a platter that holds deviled eggs. Hey, 'tis the season you know! I saw the Nov2022 post by Will, but I’m hoping there’s a better (smoother) way by now. Here’s my theory of how the egg indention could be created.
I have a 1" core box bit – basically a bowl bit but entirely round on the bottom. Using that bit, I think a very smooth “egg-shaped indention” could be created by simply creating a short line (1.5 to 2 inches) with one end of the line at the surface of the material and the other end of the line at a half inch or so deep into the material. As the core box bit traveled and ramped between those two points, it would (in theory) remove an even and smooth pocket that ‘should’ look like an egg pocket. However, I am dumbfounded at how to make one end of a line lower/deeper than the other end of the line (in Carbide Create). Frankly, I’m afraid to even post this message as I’m guessing the answer is going to be one of those forehead-slapping AHA moments. Oh well, here it goes…
Thanks in advance.
Carbide Create does not have this feature (cut at an angle along the Z-axis with a tool).
The easy way to do this sort of thing is to use Carbide Create Pro.
If you’re inclined to work programmatically, I have been working on a tool which makes such cuts:
but it’s early days yet, and I doubt anyone else would be inclined to use it.
That said, your use case is simple enough that you could instead just:
create the tool in Carbide Create
output G-code by connecting to Carbide Motion and using it to extract
edit the G-code in a text editor
Note that you’ll want to set up your file so that there are multiple lines so that the program doesn’t try to make the entire cut in a single pass. You could use a tool such as the NCnetic plug-in for Notepad++ for this:
(they have a stand-alone product, but I’ve never been able to get it set up to make 3D files)
There are various other tools which could potentially do this sort of thing as well.
An alternate tool which I was going to look into once upon a time is Microsoft’s Maker.js:
Alternately, one might be able to do this using a series of Drill toolpaths — the egg shape should make it obvious where to apply them — start by drawing up the shape and the tool in profile:
Eventually one would arrive at something usable, if one is patient enough.
Or, perhaps you would want to purchase a license for Alibre?
FWIW, I think your post just underscores how amazing it is that Rob developed Carbide Create and how elegant and consistent and straight-forward the interface is.
Wow, Will! Do you ever take a day off? Thanks for the quick reply. Sorry to learn that my “simple” solution isn’t possible.
I’d love to work programmatically, but that’s beyond my skill/knowledge.
I’m unclear on your comment/note about using “multiple lines” so the program doesnt try it remove the material all at once. Are you suggesting that I create and stack multiple egg shapes with increasingly deeper recesses?
I have Carbide Create Pro, so I’ll give your suggestion a try. Thank you again, Will!
No, you would set up multiple instances of the line each cutting at a separate angle/to a different depth — if you try to draw it up in profile it would become obvious.
Alas, I am one of those Mac guys, so Alibre isn’t an option. However, I do agree with you about Rob/Carbide Create being elegant/straight-forward.
Apparently, you were working on the “multiple lines” answer as I was reviewing your original response. I’ll give it a shot this afternoon. Thank you again!
Just re-did your first suggestion, and will certainly use that pathway for future boards.
Why do you think the 2nd project with the several drill path is better? IMO the first one has the smoother surface, doesn’t it? IMO for egg holder that first one already is perfect. ???
I was going to try your first option over the weekend, but my northern Colorado garage was too cold to run the CNC. (Static discharge was very high despite multiple grounding points.) I’ll need to wait for a little more warmth to try your solution, but I will!
Thank you again, Will.
P.S. @WillAdams, I think you deserve as much credit as Rob (no offense Rob) for making Carbide Create Pro as helpful and useful for your users.
Everything I needed to learn about Carbide Create I learned from @edwardrford who was wonderfully patient in coaxing me through my first usage of the program and Rob who has been equally patient in explaining my (mis)understandings of the program’s UI and capabilities as new features have been added.
Posts like this remind me I have a long way to go before I can begin to say I have this figured out. I’m going to work on two dimensions for a long while.
Thanks for the quick reply. Sorry to learn that my “simple” solution isn’t possible.