The Kansas City Woodworking Guild announces
the forming of the CNC Woodworking Special
Interest Group.
Following on the heels of Arnold Baker's presentation at the August 2009 Guild
meeting we are forming a group to explore the world of CNC woodworking. This
group will be of interest to those with CNC woodworking or metalworking
machinery as well as those with interest in building, buying and using CNC
controlled tools.
The CNC Special Interest Group now meets
regularly on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm at the KCWWG shop.
Any questions or comments concerning the CNC SIG can be addressed to
Chuck Saunders
TheUnionRoadNursery@gmail.com
Minutes Kansas City
Woodworkers Guild CNC SIG
CNC SIG Meeting November 2nd 2010
Tonight we made name signs for the 4 tool cabinets in the shop. The clue
from last month's minutes "nyuck, nyuck, nyuck" meant of course that we are
naming them after the Three Stooges Larry, Moe, Curly and Shemp. Turns out
that 3 Stooges are a well licensed entity and so free clipart is limited
(read non existent). The official logo is more of a gray scale rendering and
so we experimented with the Photo VCarve program. The program takes each
shade of gray and assigns that shade a particular depth of cut. This is
similar to what the Coyote Stencil Shop Software does that will be
the topic of the November Guild meeting. We have the 4 signs and after the
Auction we will try to get them mounted to the cabinets.
Respectfully submitted
Chuck Saunders
CNC SIG Meeting Minutes October 5th 2010
Tonight was run-what-you-brung. Jim Drummond brought a piece of pine from
lumber recovered from a 150 year old barn. Once we got the correct router
bits he made a plaque with the barn donors name to present as thanks. Some
good looking wood.
Brad Swaters brought me the bearing idler that he machined for my MechMate
so I have one more new part. Once the Guild Auction is over I need to get
back to grinding the rails and get some progress. Brad has also started on
the safe and proper operation guidelines for use of the CNC Router.
Next Month Nov 2nd -- Signs for the tool cabinets nyuck, nyuck, nyuck
Respectfully submitted
Chuck Saunders
gooberdog@gmail.com
CNC SIG Meeting Minutes July 6th 2010
We are helping an Eagle Scout candidate with a sign that he is building for
the Rotary Youth Camp. Dad and scout arrived with materials and design in
hand. This meeting provided an excellent example of "it doesn't matter how
many times you see something done, until you do it yourself you don't know
what to do". In other words, It was unfortunate that Arnold was not able to
attend this meeting. I think that everyone now realizes that there is more
to absorb.
I brought in the control system for the MechMate project. It looked pretty
much the same as last month except now the motors turn when the keyboard
commands. Yeah! Now there is steel cutting in my future to get the framework
together.
Respectfully submitted
Chuck Saunders
gooberdog@gmail.com
CNC SIG Meeting Minutes June 1st 2010
The turnout was light probably because Tuesday sneaks up after Memorial Day.
Everything Works!!! The Guild computer now runs the Guild CNC Router, and it
only took 4 months.
Arnold brought in the motorcycle carvings and displayed the importance of
tight collets and consistent points of origin.
We will demonstrate the CNC router at the Open House on June 12th at the
Guild Shop.
Next Meeting July 6th will be a run what you brung. Bring a drawing and a
piece of material and let's make some chips! Try to keep the drawing on the
simple side so that we don't spend all night at the shop. The time has come
to stop watching and start doing.
Respectfully submitted
Chuck Saunders
gooberdog@gmail.com
CNC SIG Minutes
May 4,2010
We have a working computer Yeah! Software is loaded and ready to go. We will
make chips on our own now. I brought in the electrical components for the
MechMate so everyone could see the components that make up the box connected
to the Probotix CNC router. Yes, that is a big transformer and the Gecko is
a cute toy. Arnold demonstrated how to make a 3 dimensional carving but
there was an error in the file that stopped us in our tracks (several times
in the same place) Arnold told me later that he recompiled at home and the
problem went away. I also shared a tutorial on 3D carving:
http://www.222artisans.com/3DModelClub/3D%20Model%20Club%20Tutorial%2099649%20-%20Native%20American%20on%20Horse.pdf
Respectfully submitted
Chuck Saunders
gooberdog@gmail.com
Minutes CNC SIG meeting April 6th, 2010
The current computer has been diagnosed as unrepairable. We are now on the
look out for a replacement. 1Ghz CPU with parallel port Windows XP (hint
hint). A thanks to Arnold Baker, Brad Swaters and Bob Burns for taking the
time to troubleshoot and try to resurrect the machine.
Arnold gave an excellent demonstration of doing inlay using the CNC router
clean and gap free. Arnold is planning to start demonstrating different
techniques that can be accomplished using the CNC router every month. Next
month, a 3D carving as you might have in a box lid or side panel.
I have started building a MechMate CNC Router at home (www.MechMate.com).
I brought in some of the parts and pieces along with the construction
drawings to share with the group. Hopefully there will be monthly updates as
this project progresses. It does seem that there is a prevailing question
that is asked "What are you planning to make?". Is this just another way of
asking "Are you out of your mind?"? Maybe that is a question best left
unexplored.
We did manage to get casters on the table that will hold the CNC router. Now
the whole setup can be wheeled out of the corner for use without having to
unplug and carry everything.
All in all a productive busy evening.
Respectfully submitted
Chuck Saunders
theunionroadnursery@gmail.com
Minutes CNC SIG March 2, 2010
Well, that wasn't bacon frying that you smelled at the woodworking show. The
power supply in the Guilds' CNC computer has called it quits. Arnold brought
in his computer and we stepped through the CNC Router Operation checklist.
The checklist must be followed when running the CNC Router. Brad will post
the checklist on the CNC forum. We are also developing tutorials for using
the Vectric software.
Next month we will get the table mobile and hopefully have the PC back
online with a surge suppressor to boot. Dave Clark will bring back the piece
he ran tonight after adding paint to add contrast.
Respectfully submitted,
Chuck Saunders
The CNC SIG at the Woodworking Show
(February 19-21, 2010)
The CNC SIG was represented at the
Woodworking Show. The Guild's CNC was set up and was demonstrated. A
Sears Compucarver was also setup and demonstrated (the machine belonged
to a new member).
Arnold Baker
ran the demonstration all day Friday and Saturday, and from 11:30-2:00
Sunday (bad weather). He talked to 250-300 individuals about CNC routing
and the Guild. Three individuals join the guild just so they could learn
about the CNC or use the guild's machine after they get qualified.
For the
demonstrations, company logos and the guild logo was downloaded. The
logos were carved into a 12x12x1/2 piece of mdf. A total of 40+ signs
were carved. Three were given to the new members that signed up at the
show. Several of the guild logos "walked" away with current members.
Several of the other carvings "spouted legs and walked off". When I left
Sunday afternoon there were only 8 carvings left.
Arnold had
10-12 offers to purchase the Guild's system, because they saw that it
worked. Several individuals said they had the Carvewright machine, but
had not used it because it did not work or they had not learned how to
use it. They were encouraged to join the guild and we could possibly
help them out.
It was
reported that the CNC the crowd was 5-6 rows deep at times. Over 300
guild brochures were handed out by the CNC crew.
Arnold spray
painted several carvings and took them over to the Stockroom flat master
sander and got the over spray sanded off. The vendor from Stockroom said
that next year he will contact us and offer the Guild members a discount
on his sanding products at the show.
Reported by Arnold Baker
Kansas City Woodworkers Guild CNC SIG
Meeting Minutes from February 2nd 2010
Tonight was spent preparing the PC to run the CNC Router. We now have all of
the components thanks to the generosity of Cliff Bell, Brad Swaters and
Jack. After a short tango with Microsoft Authentication, we were able to
resume loading the software needed.
Woodworking Show
Feb 19th 12-6
Feb 20th 10-6
Feb 21st 10-4
We will be demonstrating the CNC router at the show by producing plaques
featuring the Guild logo on MDF. We need people to work the show. Contact
Chuck Saunders at
TheUnionRoadNursery@gmail.com if you are interested.
Respectfully submitted,
Chuck Saunders
TheUnionRoadNursery@gmail.com
CNC SIG Minute January 5, 2010
The CNC router has made it's move to the shop and we are working on getting
the computer set up so we can be up and running. We are looking into using
the CNC router to build a second router. We also are considering how best to
provide a tutorial and demo projects to help share what the router can be
used for. It was suggested that the router be set up at the wood working
show and produce customized name plates as either a guild trinket or
possibly as a fundraiser.
CNC SIG Minutes December 1, 2009
12 attending
Tonight Bob Wilson provided an indepth tour of TurboCAD and the methods he
used to draw up a bookcase complete with woodgraining and Rockler hardware.
Bob demonstrated how he created the hardware in CAD from scanned images. He
also walked through the steps to create a raised panel door. Quite a step
from the scribble on the back of an envelope. Bob has interest in starting a
CAD SIG if there are others of like mind.
Monthly Meeting Nov 3, 2009
There were 12 attending tonight's meeting.
First and foremost a grateful thanks to Cliff Bell at Custom Software and
Computers for the generous donation of a computer to run the Probotix router
when it is set up at the shop. Thanks Cliff!
Brad Swaters filled us in about the KCWWG CNC SIG online forum he has
created to provide a reference and communication resource for the SIG. The
forum is found on the internet at
www.sigcnc.com. We will see about getting a link on the KCWWG website to
point the way. We will be able to post project files and ask one another for
help on our projects.
Tonight was planned to be a bring a file run on the router but the router
had other plans. Apparently overheating was the culprit that put a hold on
making sawdust.
Arnold presented a demonstration how he made the parts to build his wooden
paper shredder. A good project to show the need for producing multiple
quantities of precision parts, and how templates and fixtures aid in the
process. There was also a step by step demo of creating the control code to
produce parts from SketchUp and scanned images.
We have a contest (no prize though) to come up with a trinket that could be
produced at the woodworking show in February to hand out to visitors to the
Guild booth. The trinket needs to be small, quick to make, interesting to
young and old, and identify with the Guild.
Next Meeting will be December 1st 7:00pm. The topic is going to be Computer
Aided Drafting/Design or CAD. Bob Wilson will be there to show how he uses
TurboCad in his woodworking endeavors. This program will be of interest to
the CNC croud and the general woodworking crowd as well. I have seen some of
his stuff and it is definately going to be worth attending.
Meeting held Tuesday October 6, 2009 7:00pm
Arnold brought in the Probotix Router and gave a detailed presentation on
producing the necessary program file starting with creating a CAD drawing.
The program file was then run on the CNC router to produce the dovetail jig
parts that were drawn.
Arnold also expanded on his presentation given at the August Guild meeting.
Arnold demonstrated operating procedures of the CNC router producing some
detailed sample pieces.
For the next meeting everyone should bring a project drawing in electronic
form and the material necessary to produce the project. We will work on
producing finished product from the different types of drawings that people
bring in.
Meeting Held Tuesday September 22,2009 7:00pm
Present 11
R. Adams, Arnold Baker, Dave Clark, Ed Darlington, Jack Gregg, Walter
Murphey, Chuck Saunders, Bud Shenke, Jarold Sickles, L.O. Simmons, Brad
Swaters
The CNC Special Interest Group had their organizational meeting on Tuesday
Sept 22nd at 7:00. Discussion was centered around the interests of building
CNC machines, learning CAD software (Sketchup etc), and producing items with
the CNC router.
Building CNC machines: There is some interest in the design and construction
of CNC routers as well as adapting older machinery to CNC operation. Due to
the time, expense, and individual nature, it was felt that the SIG could
benefit this group as a discussion group. Building a machine as a SIG
project might be down the road but not in the immediate future.
Learning CAD Software: Most of the group felt that they would benefit from
exposure and instruction in the use of CAD (Computer Aided Design/Drafting)
software. As this is the software that translates the design into electronic
form it is a logical first step. Our next meeting will be focused on
introducing CAD software.
Making chips: As Arnold so clearly stated - " The reason we are interested
in CNC machining is to make stuff". This is indeed our goal. At our next
meeting we will fire up the machine and make some noise and chips at the
very least.
The next meeting is planned for Tuesday October 6th at 7:00pm if the
calendar allows.
Some of the sites mentioned
CAD Software
SketchUp
http://sketchup.google.com
CAD Standard
http://www.cadstd.com
AutoCAD
http://usa.autodesk.com
CNC Sites
CNC Zone
http://www.cnczone.com/
Build Your CNC
http://buildyourcnc.com
