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Engraving detailed images
Fusion 360's sketch engine is not built for vector images with lots of detail. Here are some tips based on this article to try make it work. The key is to keep sketches simple. That's why we'll try to spread the information over multiple sketches. We will split up the vector image into multiple tiles in Illustrator.
Keep the document units the same throughout the workflow (mm for example)
- In Illustrator, simplify the vector drawing as much as possible.
- Separate elements into different layers
- Clusters can be cut (illustrator: divide option in the pathfinder) and separated into different layers. For this to work, the cutting object shouldn't be a closed shape.
- Export from Illustrator to DXF (exporting to DXF from Inkscape resulted in strange artefacts).
- Import in Fusion 360 with the option of
One sketch per layer
option enabled.
Negative space
For cutting the area in-between the shapes (to use as a stamp for example).
Note to future self: If an image is used as a stamp, mirror the image(!)
In Illustrator
- Set the document units to mm
- This process ruins the vector image. So always work on copies of it.
- Select the image vectors and the rectangle.
- Ungroup the square and the image.
- The black shapes are internal cavities that weren't reached by the red shape. Select them and give them the same outline thickness and color. (Probably not necessary). I think this is because the original file already had those double lines.
- After all the contours for the tiles have been made, select all the vectors and export:
- Go to
File > Export > Export as…
. Set the format todxf
and click Export.
In Fusion
Preparing the 3D models
- Hide all but 1 sketch.
- Create a tile
- Extrude the base
- Select the extrude option and select the whole sketch (drag right-to-left).
- Extrude downwards for the base.
- Extrude the drawing elements
- Select the extrude option and select the drawing elements
- Extrude upwards.
Creating toolpaths
- Create an object with the dimensions of the stock material & position it accordingly in relation to the tiles.
- Machine all tiles one by one.
- Create a setup, referencing the just created object for the stock material. Only select one tile as the object to machine. Duplicate this setup for each time. Make sure to use the same origin point in all setups.
- Rough out most of the material using a 3D adaptive strategy with a 3mm flat endmill. Use ±0.5mm stock to leave so fine elements won't get pulled out while rouging.
- Then engrave: select the contours from the sketch instead of the 3D model. Select the sketch lines manually (it cuts the insides instead of the outsides of the shapes when using selecting all the contours with the box select tool). Select all lines except the outer rectangle.