Community Event / Creation ??? CNC Case Mod

VR Mr Teatime · Apr 30, 2015

Hi Everyone,
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Having designed and built my own CNC router, I've decided to start modding my 2 Office PC's in an Elite Dangerous theme. Here's the first in a series of videos showing progress to date - a test of the toolpath cutting or engraving into a piece of Acrylic, which once I have tweaked the strategy will be come the front window on the cases:
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[video=youtube;vw2BlIJORNs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw2BlIJORNs[/video]

Adam Lusardi · Apr 30, 2015

Very nice work, but the CNC sounded a bit like going to the dentist

VR Mr Teatime · Apr 30, 2015

Adam Lusardi said:
Very nice work, but the CNC sounded a bit like going to the dentist

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Lol thanks Adam - wait till I cut the ED Logo into the steel back panel for a window - might need some ear defenders for that one

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BTW - here are the rigs the windows will be going onto - I will be edge lighting them for that "floating" effect (hopefully).
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Adam Lusardi · Apr 30, 2015

Subscribed. Think the cases need to be black BTW. Oh and amber lighting.

VR Mr Teatime · Apr 30, 2015

Adam Lusardi said:
Subscribed. Think the cases need to be black BTW. Oh and amber lighting.

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Hmmm that's a thought - I did them Red and Green for Port and Starboard originally - might be an excuse to buy some RGB LEDs to play about with.
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Spraying the cases black might be a bit of a chore, but I could go for white and blue for an "Imperial" look?

Adam Lusardi · Apr 30, 2015

White and blue sounds cool (If your an imperial sort of person)

Guido · Apr 30, 2015

Awesome build.

I think you need to share some details on how you created the DIY CNC machine.

VR Mr Teatime · Apr 30, 2015

Guido said:
Awesome build.

I think you need to share some details on how you created the DIY CNC machine.

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Thanks Guido,
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I agree - I have been meaning to do a "tour of the machine" video for some time - I'll see if I can enlist my "camerawoman" aka daughter into doing some footage for me

VR Mr Teatime · May 3, 2015

Some more attempts/progress:
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[video=youtube;9RPwEmm4VQ4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RPwEmm4VQ4[/video]

Flimley · May 3, 2015

Very nice. I too made myself a Perspex side for my case.....minus the cnc work

my prefered colour scheme is blue !
View attachment 33460
However I did use a cnc to produce my desk

VR Mr Teatime · May 3, 2015

Thanks Flimley,
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Yes, blue is a nice colour for PCs - I spruced up the wife's PC in a similar colour scheme (went on a bit of an Acrylic tube mania recently):
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As I'm undecided on the colour for the Elite Dangerous themed cases in my office, I'm going to go for RGB LED lighting and start with Orange, as suggested by Adam Lusardi, and go from there.
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I would like to see the desk you have done using CNC. I am finding more and more uses for my machine, as I "discover" things around the home etc. that I can make bespoke, rather than compromising by buying something mass produced (of course not wanting to drag the thread off topic into areas outside the game).

Adam Lusardi · May 3, 2015

With pristine plastic have you tried leaving the protection cover on and sand blasting to remove the cutter marks or use a cutter with smaller edge rad and larger dia for the final cut ie cut the outline with one and change cutter for the large cutter "fill in". Ironman mode with Perspex is to flash over it with a blowtorch!
<edit>Just looked close at the logo on my computer background (the one with the word Elite) and the "fill in" for the wings in hatched ie the cutter passes at 45 degs.

Flimley · May 3, 2015

Adam Lusardi said:
With pristine plastic have you tried leaving the protection cover on and sand blasting to remove the cutter marks or use a cutter with smaller edge rad and larger dia for the final cut ie cut the outline with one and change cutter for the large cutter "fill in". Ironman mode with Perspex is to flash over it with a blowtorch!
<edit>Just looked close at the logo on my computer background (the one with the word Elite) and the "fill in" for the wings in hatched ie the cutter passes at 45 degs.

Yes, I used to flame polish acrylic edges for projects after sanding with fine grade sandpaper and then scraping with a Stanley blade. The results were super nice and light travelled to all the edges mmmmm shiny.

VR Mr Teatime · May 4, 2015

Hi Chaps,
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Believe it or not, the concentric toolpath using a ballnose cutter was a deliberate choice, but you're right Adam, sand blasting and/or using a flat end mill (I think I have down to 1mm) may come up with a better effect. I'm not sure its noticeable in the pics, but there is an outline around the various vector elements and the toolpath is set to cut that at a different depth to the main "fill in" area. I do have plenty of scrap acrylic to try some different effects on, so will do some different approaches to see what works best (might even be worth a poll? ;-) ).
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The pristine stuff is still sat there in its protective wrap, waiting for me to finish the test phase. Flame treating the edges is not something I've tried yet - something else to have a go at

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More as I get time to play.....

Vihear · May 8, 2015

Mr Teatime said:
Hi Everyone,
Having designed and built my own CNC router, I've decided to start modding my 2 Office PC's in an Elite Dangerous theme.

Looks very cool!
And, to be honest, I think the best part probably is that you did it on your own CNC router! And you hid that info in the little subordinate clause (I'm a linguist

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I'm amazed at what some people can do. +Rep!

VR Mr Teatime · May 10, 2015

Vihear said:
Looks very cool!
And, to be honest, I think the best part probably is that you did it on your own CNC router! And you hid that info in the little subordinate clause (I'm a linguist )...
I'm amazed at what some people can do. +Rep!

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Thanks Vihear,
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Coincidentally, I've just uploaded a video tour of the CNC machine on my YouTube channel, due to "popular demand" (won't link here as its "off topic") - my first voice over work, which is a scary prospect

Adam Lusardi · May 10, 2015

Mr Teatime said:
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Thanks Vihear,
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Coincidentally, I've just uploaded a video tour of the CNC machine on my YouTube channel, due to "popular demand" (won't link here as its "off topic") - my first voice over work, which is a scary prospect

Very Very professional loved the cut-off switch Pro work.
Question I'm just wondering did the beer mug at the side contain real oil

VR Mr Teatime · May 17, 2015

Here's the latest instalment:
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[video=youtube;-cO5BiQFzk4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cO5BiQFzk4[/video]

Frank · May 17, 2015

Mr Teatime said:
Hi Chaps,
.
Believe it or not, the concentric toolpath using a ballnose cutter was a deliberate choice, but you're right Adam, sand blasting and/or using a flat end mill (I think I have down to 1mm) may come up with a better effect. I'm not sure its noticeable in the pics, but there is an outline around the various vector elements and the toolpath is set to cut that at a different depth to the main "fill in" area. I do have plenty of scrap acrylic to try some different effects on, so will do some different approaches to see what works best (might even be worth a poll? ;-) ).
.
The pristine stuff is still sat there in its protective wrap, waiting for me to finish the test phase. Flame treating the edges is not something I've tried yet - something else to have a go at
.
More as I get time to play.....

I've always just used a polishing mop, but I might give flame polishing a go with my next acrylic job. That's the great thing about CNC. It's easy to churn out an extra one, and plastic is cheap. I do get the feeling I'll just be left with a clear plate with a smouldering hole <grin>/

Adam Lusardi · May 17, 2015

Very nice.