Hand sculpting to 3D scanner to CNC ?

[Harry Radaza]

Is it possible to hand sculpt an image (probably faster than creating from scratch in 3D?) then have it scanned by a 3D scanner (any advice or suggestions on what models for this?) and save and print to the CNC ?

I am thinking of a shopbot or a cnc shark (cheaper) and maybe a VCarve which comes with the shark.

any thoughts on this ?

[Kevin L. Waldron]

I have a laser scanner and can scan just about anything into the computer (my cnc is 60x144 x 19 tall, and the scanner will work just about anywhere on the table. With the lense I have, I have about 7" of focus range and your object would need to fall into that range or you will have to layer scan.) The cost for such was around $12,000. Scanning is not a problem. The problem comes when you have to make files that the cnc can use and tool path or generate g-code.

4) ways I've done this.
1)Autocad add-on called Point cloud. This program allows you to simulate draping a sheet over the data file and then remove the points or raw data and making a dwg or dxf file.
2)Use Rhinocerous cad and create curve data from the information and then use from that point either in Rhinocam or Artcam, Enroute.
3)Cut 3d and use data directly.
4)Artcam and Enroute can also pull in stl data but this often is difficult to clean up. So even though I have these programs I don't like using them for this.

The easiest of the 4 is Cut 3d it is also probably the least accurate and if it is sculpting it may serve well. If you need a detail say of a "house phone" you will almost certainly have to use the other 3 ways to get accuarte files.

From a commercial standpoint it takes to much computer cleanup for my taste to try and sell this ability. I never did like editing nodes. The scanner does work and works well I just have not found an easy way to produce files quickly for routing.

Hope this helps.

Kevin

[Rob Wright]

This can be done without a problem.

Using Brady Watson's laser scanning service (www.ibild.com) and Vectric's Cut3D software (or the similar and provided 3d software with the Shopbot) you would be able to do this.

Depending on the scan and the amount of relief, a 4 or even 5 axis machine would be required, and in that case Cut 3d would be out. You would have to step up to the big dog CAM programs - many $k's and too rich for me!

[Keith Outten]

Harry,

ShopBot has a digitizing probe that will duplicate your master part creating the necessary files you need. Follow this link for more information:

http://www.shopbottools.com/accessories.htm

.

[Harry Radaza]

keith, thank you so much for that little piece of advice. Definitely sounds like something I would be using a lot. With what I have read on 3d software, it seems that it would take a long time to create the 3d model. I am leaning towards hand sculpting as this might be faster and more efficient.

As for software, what would you recommend for a beginner like me? What should I use to be able to create 3d models. We deal mostly with small 2 inch diameter pendants.

And will the shark do the 3d probe too ( i doubt )?

[Keith Outten]

Harry,

I can't help you much with the 3D software as I don't have any experience in that area yet. I know that Vectric has 3D software that is very resonably priced for creating tool paths of 3D files that are created in other programs like Rino 3D and 3D Studio.

If you purchase a Probe from ShopBot it comes with the necessary software for the scanning part of the job that creates both the file and the toolpath. This would work when you have your own masters. If you wanted to make changes to your files you would definately need a 3D design package.

.

[Wil Lambert]

keith, thank you so much for that little piece of advice. Definitely sounds like something I would be using a lot. With what I have read on 3d software, it seems that it would take a long time to create the 3d model. I am leaning towards hand sculpting as this might be faster and more efficient.

As for software, what would you recommend for a beginner like me? What should I use to be able to create 3d models. We deal mostly with small 2 inch diameter pendants.

And will the shark do the 3d probe too ( i doubt )?

Sculpting in the computer takes no long than by hand. It just depends on how much time you take with the software to get good at it. I sculpt by hand and in ArtCAM. I would prefer to sculpt in ArtCAM anyday. The other problem with scans is they are not as good of a model as you can get when it is created in the PC.

Wil

[Neil Schell]

Harry,

Another option is the FastSCAN, a hand-held 3D laser scanner, not a cnc mounted type. You can scan an object (like your sculpture) in less than a minute and export the scan file to any CAM package to generate the tool path.

This tool has greatly simplified the digitizing part. As far as what to do with the digitizer data (scan file), if you're simply replicating, its easy, just export the file (as .STL or .DXF or other) into a CAM package which will convert it to g-code (tool path). If you want to make design or artistic changes to the scan data, that gets more complex, and a 3D modeling program such as Rhino or Geomagic will work much better than CAD programs (such as Solidworks or AutoCAD). CAD programs like geometric data, not organic shapes, like wood carvings or sculptures.

Finally, concerning the touch probes, they work very well and can be inexpensive, but it would be adviseable to see a demo to understand the time it takes. Digitizing sculptures and wood carvings with these can take a very long time if you're using the standalone type. If you're using a cnc mounted type, of course it takes the cnc out of production while your digitizing.

[james mcgrew]

check this if you want to learn!!
http://www.david-laserscanner.com/



this guy used brady's service

http://vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3418

[Guy Mathews]

Originally posted at Camheads.org. by me GJMATHEWS at Camheads. You can click the link below to see my other work. You may need to register to view photo albums.

http://www.camheads.org/member.php?u=190

One of my many other talents is Laser Scanning parts to produce working 3D models for milling on CNC machines. I know there are other companies out there that do this, but for some strange reason, I never see the initial scans of these companies.

A member of Camheads sent me these chess pieces. This is a quick scan of the bishop, using my hand held scanner. Tomorrow I will set up studio lights and produce a 3d Scan of the entire piece. Total scan time was 4 minutes start to finish. From the basic scan, I can make a watertight .STL ready for milling as you can see in the second photo. Total time to do all this was less then 20 minutes. This basic scan file has holes in in it right now, however they are so small, you could mill with a 1/16 inch ball nose and not pierce the surface. All laser scanners have faults. I know someone will email in the next day or two telling me that their scanner is perfect and you can scan and mill with no file manipulation whatsoever other then Axis placement and tool paths. In some cases you can, but the detail is lacking, such as the owls that I scanned and milled. However, the proof is always in the pudding.

This piece stands 3 and 3/8 inches high. As you can see the detail is pretty pronounced for a hand held scan.

Would love to see the work of others, start to finish. I think Brady Watson could give me a run for my money. I have seen his finshed scans on his website but not the inital work. So far, I am only aware of myself and one other person that is scanning and milling in under 1 hour. I am open to all challenges.

Anyway, my point is, we are only limited by our imaginations and our wallets. We are living in an incredible time right now. The technology to change just about anything is at our fingertips. Davids scanner looks pretty cool from what I saw and I do not think the file manipulation would be too hard for anyone with basic computer and CAD skill, however it does take time. Lots of time depending on level of detail. Artcam or Aspire can definately handle the cleanup detail.

Anyhow, looking forward to seeing more people posting there work in this area. More to come as I scan the chess set.

[james mcgrew]

now you know i like it!!

jim

[Brad Knight]

Guy we can't see the pics because you have to log into the camhead site to see images. Sorry...

Sounds great though

[james mcgrew]

guy i looked at the chair with interest, were you stopping and changing bits with the shopbot or were you using the drill, the scan looks great!!

jim

[Angus Hines]

Well just sign up The pics of Guys work are well worth it ! And it's free too!

[james mcgrew]

brad, while the camheads site is a forum operated and moderated for the support and growth of the camaster machine owners, we welcome all who wish to join. yes our focus is our machines and decorum does lend it self to the machine such as shopbots forum, but the work and process of cnc and it's growth are for all

jim mcgrew