Inlay with a 3D carve
I have a 3d file with which I plan on doing a two sided carve, hence a true 3d carve. My dilemma is, that I would like to create an inlay prior to performing the 3D carve. This will allow for different colors of material to run through the carve. How can I create the female pocket from a 3D image? The depth is not consistent. Some goes all the way through the material, and some only goes half way through.
Comments
I did a purple heart award for my oldest son (15 or so years ago) wasn't likely the same as what you are describing.
First you will need to have an index to mill from that will not move (if you have a 4 axis great) you will not have to worry about much slop.
What I did was cut out all the sections for the starts the bars the leaves in a 2 inch section of white oak along with the section that surrounds Washington for the purple heart wood. I did this after cutting out all the leaves the stars and bars the purple heart all different woods. Once the white oak was cut out I ca glued in each wood species one at a time (that was very tedious work) after everything was healed the day after I milled it all out (it wasn't my finest hour but it was done).
What software are you using, I did mine in Artcam Pro.
mike
I want to carve the Navy Master Chief insignia for a friend of mine. The Anchor and chain are gold, so I plan on using a piece of Yellowheart wood. The USN and Stars are silver. I was hoping to pre-carve the USN and stars so that I could inlay it with aluminum. Then do a carve to create it out of a single piece. I had conceived of the idea around carving the USN and stars separately and gluing them on, but I wanted a continuous carve and the design of the Master Chief insignia could cause significant weak points where I glue the USN. Also, the S is integral to the anchor, and projects from both the front and back.
Here is a picture of the insignia. I generally don't try to do easy stuff as it drives me.
Currently, I am using Carveco Maker.
Thanks,
Paul
Paul,
The part of the software I use is the full version, it has a lot more tools than the one you use, the Artcam pro I used to do my sons purple heart has a lot more also, nuff said on that.
When I did the purple heart that was on a windows 98, doesn't run anymore so I have to go on memory (a bad one at that) like I said ca glue, nope not that it was 5 min epoxy.
Now on to yours all the stuff you want to inlay has to be cut out first, it has to be the same size for what you are cutting out on the finished model. You need the vectors from the model you will be cutting out to get your parts to inlay, these all are right sized but not finish milled, rough.
I can't envision you doing 2 sides unless it to scoop out material to keep it somewhat flat.
When you go to cut your part for the inlay you will have to use the same bit you cut out your parts with, I think the one I used was a 1/16 inch end with 3%sides got it I think from bitnbits.
You will be using the inlay toolpath to cut both of parts, the inlay and the area you need to cut for the parts to fit. Now mind you when I did this it was like 15/16 years ago I think you will be gluing the parts you cut out upside down into the finished model. These need to be cut out with a tapered end mill as well as the area you will be gluing them into. I think this about wrap's it up, If I remember anything else I'll try to post it here. Also if you have questions ask, no sense running blind into a wall, if you screw up don't worry redo, I think it took me a full 2x12 for one purple heart.
mike
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