CNC & Molding/Casting
Project Overview
For this project, I attempted to mill an image of Mountain Acetenango in Guatemala. While the CNC milling produced something similar to what I was attempting to get, I ran into a large amount of issues with the plywood. Since plywood is not a great medium and I was attempting to create something meticulous, there was a large amount of fraying. To demonstrate the differences between manufacturing methods, I 3D printed something similar to show the discrepancies between what CNC produced and what 3D printing produced. I believe if I used wax there would be a better outcome, as it would allow for more precise detail reproduction.
Flower Plastering
Plastered flower creation
Vacuum Sealing
Vacuum sealed star
CNC Manufacturing Process
Project Goal
Attempted to mill a detailed image of Mountain Acetenango in Guatemala, comparing CNC milling with 3D printing to understand the differences in detail reproduction.
Challenges Encountered
Faced significant challenges with plywood as the medium:
- Extensive fraying due to the material's grain structure
- Difficulty maintaining fine details
- Material limitations for intricate work
Comparative Analysis
Created parallel versions using both CNC milling and 3D printing to demonstrate the differences in detail reproduction and quality. The 3D printed version showed superior detail retention and surface quality.
Future Improvements
Identified potential improvements for future attempts:
- Using wax as a medium for better detail reproduction
- Optimizing tool paths for plywood grain direction
- Implementing finer cutting tools for detail work
Molding and Casting Process
Mold Design
Created designs for molds considering material flow and release.
Mold Making
Fabricated molds using appropriate materials and techniques.
Casting
Cast objects using various materials and documented results.
Results
CNC milled Mountain Acetenango in plywood
Close-up of CNC milled details
3D printed version for comparison
Challenges & Solutions
CNC Manufacturing Challenges
Encountered challenges in toolpath optimization and material selection.
Solutions:
- Optimized cutting parameters
- Improved tool selection
- Enhanced fixturing methods
Molding & Casting Challenges
Faced challenges in mold design and material selection.
Solutions:
- Optimized mold design for better flow
- Improved release agent application
- Enhanced curing techniques