First 3D sign help

[C&C Specialties]

We just finished running one side of our first 3D sign, and are looking for some advice. Everything turned out like we expected, but wanted to know if there was anything we could do to speed up the process. It is not overly detailed, and really not that large, but it took 16 1/2 hours. We ran a 1/4" end mill for the roughing pass, 1 1/2 hrs, at 2 ips. with a z plunge of the same. We ran a 1/8" ballnose with a 10% stepover at 5 ips. with a 3.5 ips z plunge for the finish pass, 15hrs. We are using a PRS Standard and the sign was modeled in Aspire. Is there anything that ya'll can see that would speed things up? Overall dimension is 29"x41" out of 1 1/2" signfoam 20lb.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Bob

[Kyle Stapleton]

What part is 3D? It looks like for that sign you could just do all 2D.

[robtown]

I can't really tell from this angle, but I don't see much, if any curvature in this. You might've been able to do this sign just using area clear if that's the case. Area clear gives you a bigger stepover than milling with a ballnose. That equals shorter run times.

[C&C Specialties]

Here is more of an angled view.26104

[Alex Naumenko]

You can run same profile as a 2.5D in 40min or less.

[C&C Specialties]

Would I do that off of the same 3D model?

[robtown]

I'm still not seeing much "3d" here... just some rounded edges in outer profile of the bottom banner shapes, and that could've easily and quickly handled by hand.

Yes, you should be able to use the same profiles used to extrude your shapes to set up 2d profile cuts and area clears using different depths.
Don't take this wrong, because the sign actually looks great, but for the time spent making this into, and routing, a 3d routed sign you could've (maybe) curved those banners out a little, and maybe tapered the cleaver blade a little, just some minor details that give a little more pop. Again just constructive criticism for "next time"...

[C&C Specialties]

I completely agree. This is my very first attempt at creating a 3D model in Aspire. I am still learning and watching the tutorials. We are working the finished sign by hand now to add the softer details and curved accents. We have a short deadline on this sign to get it painted and installed, so I wasn't able to really dive deep into modeling all the parts. I have been playing with the sculpting tools, but didn't feel comfortable enough yet to implement on this sign. We will most likely just suck it up on this one and run the other half of this side the same, as they mount back to back and need to match. Thanks to all have advised, as this is why we love ShopBot.

[Brady Watson]

A fine job for your first 3D model. My first things looked a lot more crude than that when I was first getting started.

It takes some time for your brain to get what is most efficient as a 2D operation and what should be done as a 3D relief.

Keep going...keep playing...you're doing just fine....

-B

[chiloquinruss]

The other trick is to only 3d those parts that are truely 3d. The helmet, the arm, and maybe the cleaver are 3d-able, the rest is flat work. Each thing you do in Aspire can and should be a different toolpath, how that toolpath is created is the trick. The whole project is not locked into just 2.5d or just 3d, just the individual parts should be. I hope that makes sense but I 'cheat' a lot that way, seperate all the pieces in your mind and then figure out the quickest (and most accurate) way to do each piece. Also think about where this sign is going to be hanging and where / how far away is the viewer. This can sometimes help make your 2.5d vs 3d decisions. A 3d carving from a few feet away doesn't gain you much eye candy features. Well, that's my 2 cents worth for today! :D Russ

[robtown]

"We have a short deadline on this sign to get it painted and installed"
We've all been there a time or two (or three...)

[joe]

Rob,

I'm confused! How on earth did you end up with a short deadline on a procedure you've never done?

Joe Crumley
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[robtown]

I see what you did there...