As a cnc router operator or programmer, we will get jobs of letter or number carving sometimes. And these letters or numbers must be in the form of intaglio. In this case, what machining strategy in ArtCAM software can be used to generate intaglio letter toolpath? The answer is “2D Area Clearance” machining strategy. 

Letters can be carved in two forms: intaglio and rilievi. In this article, we are going to talk about the intaglio; and in next article, we will talk the rilievi. The user manual for intaglio letter toolpath creation is listed as follows with detailed operation steps: 

First step is, create a new model on which the intaglio letters will be carved. Click “Create New Model” on the left side of artcam software, appears “Size for New Model” dialog box. The size here refers to the block size (material size). We need set four items here, Height(Y), Width(X), Origin point and Unit (mm or inches). Height and width is set as per the actual size of the material; Unit is selected as per your operating habit; the origin point here means the material origin point, it is also called zero point; origin point normally choose left bottom corner. After finish these four, please click “OK”. As example, the size we set “300, 500” here, unit we select “mm”.

Second step is, edit the letters which will be carved in the model.

Find “Vector Editing” icon on the left side of artcam interface, please select the number five icon “T”; and it appears TEXT TOOL dialog box on the screen. In the text tool, we can edit any characters, letters, or numbers.

(1) Font Setup: please select the right font for the letters. We select “Arial” as example here.

(2) Size: please set a proper size for the letters. We select “93” as example here.

(3) Type the letters in the model.

(4) Create: please click button “Done”.

(5) Position the vector: find column “Position Size Align Vectors” in artcam, please click the second icon in second line “middle the vector”. This step is to align the letters in the center of the model (material).

Third Step is, generate intaglio letter toolpath in artcam

Click the “Tool Path” tag in the lower left corner of the artcam page, and the toolbar concerning tool path will appear on the left side of the page. Click the icon "Area Clearance" in 2D Toolpaths tag, and "2D Area Clearance" dialog box appears, set the parameters in artcam as follows:

(1) Start Depth: from where the material being carved. Normally, we set 0 here.

(2) Finish Depth: the carving depth of the letters. Here, we set 5 as example.

(3) Allowance: keep 0.

(4) Final Tool Allowance: keep 0. 

(5) Tolerance: keep 0.01. 

(6) Machine safe Z: The value should be large enough to clear any clamps used to hold the job. Click on the small black triangle behind, pop-up "safe Z" and “Home position” dialog box, the home position specifies the starting and ending position for the tool before and after processing; here we set safe Z to be 100, and Home position be X0 Y0 Z100.

(7) Tools List: please click “Add”, “Tool Groups Database” appears, select the right tool you will use. Here, we choose “Endmill 3mm” as example. Click “Edit”, set step down to be 5mm, stepdown should be set according to the tool and material status. Click “OK” and “Select” button. Tool Clearance strategy, select “Raster”; Raster Angle: 0; Independent Finish Depth Option: unchecked.

(8) Add Ramping Moves Option: unchecked

(9) Material: click “Setup”, pop up dialog box of material setup; the value entered in material thickness should be no less than the absolute value of finish depth; material Z zero, select the top; model position in material, select top offset and set value is 0; finially, click “OK”.

(10) Click “Now” icon. The intaglio letter tool path start calculating; after toolpath calculation finished, we will see many red lines. These red lines refer to the toolpath.

Fourth step, simulate intaglio letter toolpath in artcam software.

Click on tool path icon in the lower left corner; select the first icon “Simulate Toolpath” in the Toolpath Simulation column; dialog box pop up, select “fast” option; next click “Simulate Toolpath” icon and simulation starting; check the effect after simulation finished; if it fit for your requirement, then save the tool path.

Fifth step, output the intaglio letter toolpath to your computer from artcam

Select “Save Toolpath” in the left side column “Toolpath Operations”; dialog box pop up; select “Model Master 3 Axis Flat(*mmg)” in lower right conner and click “save”; name the toolpath and click “Save” icon.

Free ArtCAM user manual can be provided to you. If you need, please contact us.
Suggested: ArtCAM Training: Create Text Toolpath in Rilievi Style


                                                                                                  Origin article from Jinan EagleTec CNC Machinery Co.,Ltd. 
                                                                                                   Repost please indicate the source.