Shing-zo and CNC

To import the image to CorelDraw, follow the steps: Go to file = Select Import = Select the Image that you want to import = Click Import

Now we need to get vector file from this JPEG image. So, to make the image into vector either you can design it separately or you can trace the image. So as of now we are going to trace the image using the Pen Tool from the tool box. For the size of the image it’s up to you but here I have kept it at 220 mm x 230 mm. To get the Pen Tool go to Tool Bar.

Then click left mouse button on the drop-down arrow at the bottom right corner like shown on the right side.

When you click on the drop down arrow it will give you drop box, from there you have to select Pen Tool.

Now with the pen tool start tracing the image like shown on the right side.

Now to get the final vector delete the actual image. You should get a similar result like shown on the right side.

To export the file to DXF, go to file then export to change the format to dxf then click export. Now to engrave our design on wood we need to run CNC Machine. As of me I am using Shopbot. So, before you run the Shopbot we need to set machining toolpath, for that we will be using the software called Vcarve pro. Now Open VCarve Pro.

Once you get the above window go to create a new file. It will take you to another window. Here we need to set the size of our material on which we are going to engrave and give its thickness. And don’t forget to keep the units in Millimeter (mm). So here we are going to set the size to 230 x 220 mm and the thickness to 18 mm.

Then click OK. It will give you different View port with different tool bar and with lots of tools like shown on the right side.

To import our file that we have saved in dxf, Go to = file Import = Import Vectors

Now we are ready to set tool path to engrave. To make a tool path we need to select our image. And to select, click left mouse button and drag the mouse over the part that you want to engrave. So in our case we want to engrave all the part, so drag the mouse over the entire image.

Now go to top right corner of the window, you will see Toolpath.

When you click on the Toolpath you will get another tool bar for different kind of toolpath generation tools and for engraving, we have different methods to do it. Like profile, pocketing and V carve etc. for our design we are going to do it with V carving, for that we have to use V bit.

To do V carve click on the V carve tool.

When you click on the V carve tool bar. You will get tool setup box. Here we need to set up how deep should the engraving should be. And which V bit are we going to use. For our design keep the cutting depth as default. And for the V bit go to tool and click select.

When you click select it will show the Tool Database. Here it will show different types of bits for different work. From the Tool Database we will select V bit 90.

After selecting V bit 90, keep all the settings at default. And then click OK.

After this click Calculate like shown on the right side. It will generate the tool path in 3D. Once the tool Path is generated click save and the check the file format when saving, it should be in Shopbot TC (mm) (*.sbp). Once the file is saved then, we are ready to run shopbot and engraved it.