Confused need help!

[Jonathan]

If you can let us know what sort of things you'll be cutting then we can advise more precisely which is the most suitable software. For instance are the parts 3D profiles requiring simultaneous movement in all 3-axis, or perhaps '2.5d' shapes in which case the free version of CAMbam is perfectly adequate?

[manofgresley]

Hi

I will be making mainly Guitar parts, Nuts (This is what the strings lay over were the tuning pegs are), Saddles )This is what the strings lay over the opposite end of the Nut)& Bridge pins (These are what hold the strings in an acoustic guitar) also be inlaying guitar fretboards and Headstocks with Abalone and M.O.P.

I suspect these are 3d profiles.

My apologies if you know these terms.

What is 2.5d?

Ray

[Jonathan]

What is 2.5d?

2.5D and 3D Machining
Geometric Launches CAMWorksXpress by Desktop Engineering

One way of thinking is any part that could (at least in theory) be cut using a milling cutter able to move simultaneously in X and Y but only moves in Z independently. It sounds like your parts are 3D profiles. CNCtoolkit is one free option, although I wouldn't reccomend it at all for a beginner as it's by far the hardest CAM program I've used. Still, if you can get the hand of it there's not much you can't cut with it...

[manofgresley]

Hi Again these are examples of the things i would like to make, i still cannot say if they are in 2d or 3d never mind 2.5d, what do you think.

Ray

[JAZZCNC]

Hi Again these are examples of the things i would like to make, i still cannot say if they are in 2d or 3d never mind 2.5d, what do you think.

Ray

They look 2D but the pictures are not very good resolution.? If the top surface of the bottom item curves then that will be 3D. It doesn't look curved but I know they can be on some guitars.!!

[manofgresley]

Many thanks Jazzcnc.

The picture shows two items, the top item is a saddle and that is Radioused to the guitar fretboard, therefore it's 3D, Again many thanks for your advice and teaching.

Regards

Ray

[Sprut_UK]

It does also depend on how you present the part to the cutter..............if you can safely tip the part on it's side you can then produce the radius quite easily as a 2D cutterpath. This is assuming that it is a radius around a single plane........if it is say a torus (doughnut) type shape then this will have to be done using 3D machining.
If it's not possible to use this method and the radiused face is facing the tool, then machining it as a 3D shape is your only option.
The uppermost part in your image looks like it has rounded edges.........these can be done using a radius cutter following a 2D shape, or, you can 3D mill it using a ballnose cutter.

I have created this short video to help you visualise the differences that I am referring to. The first part shows the part being machining in 3D and the second part shows the same part being machined using a 2D strategy:

http://www.download.sprut.co.uk/MyCNC/2D-3D/2D-3D.html

I hope this helps?

Dave