07: CNC milling, Molding & Casting

This week we worked on CNC, molding, and casting. For CNC, we used laterally cutting bits, uploaded DXF workflows, and configured cut depths and pass strategies.

1) CNC

  • Developing the patterns
  • Conversion to bitmaps
  • Formatting and toolpath setup
  • CNC milling
Week 7 CNC example

Object

I decided to CNC mill a tabletop piece of my roommates. I started by collecting photos and cropping them into square face references.

Here are two of the images before processing:

Before processing image: KarliBefore processing image: Lorenzo

I explored multiple tools to simplify the images into line art:

  1. Pixlr drawing tools
  2. Photostyle Lab
  3. Procreate (iPad)
  4. ChatGPT (the one I ended up using)

After generating stylized outputs, I used Inkscape edge detection and vector cleanup to prepare geometry for CNC.

Week 7 ChatGPT stylized output

2) Molding and Casting

  • 3D-printing the two-part mold
  • Making plaster and casting test parts

I used a Fusion workflow for a two-part mold design and iterated on fit, release direction, and cavity quality.

3D mold source file: week7-cnc-molding-2part-mold.f3d

Tutorial reference: Product Design Online - two-part molds in Fusion 360

← Back to PS70