Manufacturing Technology

VCarve Tutorial
Contents:

1. Register and Setup

2. Create Borders
3. Insert Text
4. Convert images to Vectors
5. Insert Keyhole
6. Set Cutting Toolpaths
7. Simulate Design
8. Create G-Code

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Castlebrooke S. S.- Manufacturing Unit (Personal Keychain Project) September, 2018
Register and Setup
STEP 1
Open VCarve program.
If required, register by entering username and licence code

Registered User Name:

Studica Ltd - 088

VCarve Licence Code:

8KKUYC-RR59D2-7YM9UW-DH3J2I-PZAMNV-7GFFXY-XI5UVV-EGENFI-8K986S-ANUV3A

STEP 2

Set Job size:

3” X 0.75”

Thickness:
0.185
Z Zero:
Top

XY Datum:
Bottom Left

Units:
inches

STEP 3 Click ​OK​ and save your file using the ​lastname_firstname​ format of your name in
your “G” Drive.
NOTE:​ Any file saved on the desktop automatically
gets deleted and will not be available later.

Click on the ​Video​ link to learn more.

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Castlebrooke S. S.- Manufacturing Unit (Personal Keychain Project) September, 2018
Create Borders
STEP 1
Click on rectangle

To watch a detail video to

learn about Vector Drawing.
Click ​here​.
STEP 2
You may draw one or two borders. It is important that the size of the rectangle should not exceed
2.85” X 0.6” as it may damage the vice.
OPTION 1: OPTION 2:
Square Radiused External or Radiused Internal
Do not exceed Do not exceed
Width: 2.85” Height: 0.6” Width: 2.85” Height: 0.6” Radius: Any

STEP 3 Click ​Apply​. If satisfied with the result then click ​Create​ and ​Close​.
There are various combinations you may try to make it look interesting and
attractive.
NOTE: ​Double Click on ​Object​ to move
and change size freely.

Use ​Align​ tool to centre it.

Use ​Align to Material​ section.
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Castlebrooke S. S.- Manufacturing Unit (Personal Keychain Project) September, 2018
Insert Text
STEP 1
Click on the Text Tool

STEP 2

Text:
Enter text here. Need more space?
Click ​Larger Edit….

Font:
Choose the font you desire.
Check ​Bold​ or ​Italic​ if needed.

Text Alignment:
Your choice.
Text height needs to be less than 0.5”

Anchor:
Click on a point in the design where you want
your text to be. Text can be moved or shaped
later

Video:
Want to learn more? Click ​here​.

STEP 3 Click ​Apply​. If satisfied with the result then click ​Close​.
Try to make it look interesting and attractive.
NOTE: ​Double Click on ​Text​ to move and
change size freely with handle bar.
If needed use ​Align​ tool to centre it.
Use​ Align to Material​ section.
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Castlebrooke S. S.- Manufacturing Unit (Personal Keychain Project) September, 2018
Convert Images to Vectors
STEP 1
Search an Image:
● Google​ your favourite image that suits your ​theme​. Click on ​Images​ then ​Tools.
● Click on ​Type​ then ​Line Drawing​. Then click on ​Size​ and choose ​Medium​.
Insert an Image:
● Select your picture, copy and paste it in the Keychain Design. (This is a Bitmap Image)

IMPORTANT: Only select simple shapes. Complex shapes will smudge the final result.
NOTE: ​Double Click on ​Image​ to move and change size freely with handle bars

Select Trace Bitmap Tool:

STEP 2
Type of tracing to use:
Black /White

Number of Colors/Threshold:
0.50

Corner Fit:
Default Corner Fit

Noise Filter:
Use slider to 10 Pixels

Bitmap Fading:
Default Fading

Click ​Preview​. If you like the

Preview then click ​Apply
and ​Close.

The image is now converted

from Bitmap to Vector.
What’s the difference??? Look it up
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Castlebrooke S. S.- Manufacturing Unit (Personal Keychain Project) September, 2018
 STEP 3 Delete Bitmap Image:
Click on the blank space in between the image. This will highlight the Bitmap image
you first inserted. Press delete on your keyboard to get rid of the image.

Refine Vector Image:

Carefully delete small shapes and dots that will not affect the overall look of your
image. Delete as many lines as possible that overlaps to simplify the image. Save
your work.

Click on the ​Video​ link to learn more.

Insert Keyhole
STEP 1
Select Draw Circle Tool:

STEP 2
Click Diameter:
D: should be either 0.125 “ or 0.25”
(⅛” or ¼”)

Center Point:
Click on the design where you want the
keyhole to be located.

If you like the location then click ​Apply

and ​Close.

NOTE: ​Double Click on ​Circle​ to move.

If needed use ​Align​ tool to centre it.
Use ​Align to Material​ section.
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Castlebrooke S. S.- Manufacturing Unit (Personal Keychain Project) September, 2018
Set Cutting Toolpaths
STEP 1
Select Toolpaths:
From the dropdown menu click the ​Toolpaths
tab and then select ​Show Toolpaths Tab​.

STEP 2
Select Profile Toolpath:
Now look on the right side of the design.
From the ​Toolpath Operation ​icons click
on ​Profile Toolpath ​icon.

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Castlebrooke S. S.- Manufacturing Unit (Personal Keychain Project) September, 2018
STEP 2
Cutting Depths:
Start Depth (D) 0.0”
Cut Depth (C) 0.015”

Tool:
Click ​Select​ and follow the prompts below….
Select ​V-Bit (60 deg 0.25”)
​Cutting Parameters:
Pass Depth 0.03”
​Feeds and Speeds:
Spindle Speed 5000 rpm
Feed Rate 30.0
Plunge Rate 30.0
Click ​OK

Machine Vectors:
Select ​On.
Direction - Climb

Name:
Use your ​lastname_firstname ​as the profile name

Calculate:
Select your design and
then click ​Calculate​.

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Castlebrooke S. S.- Manufacturing Unit (Personal Keychain Project) September, 2018
Simulate Design
STEP 1
Preview Toolpaths:

Choose Material:
Select Material preferably to
Silver Satin​.

Preview Selected Toolpath:

Use the Speed slider to slow down the
animation.
Click the play button to begin simulation.​.

If you like the simulation then click ​close​.

If not then click ​Reset Preview​ and start again

STEP 2
Click on Timer Icon:
Click on the icon indicated by the arrow and check
the time. If it is less than 5 minutes then cheer up
as you are almost done!

What if the time is more than 5 minutes?

Go back and change the image or trim the image
to reduce the number of lines.

Click on the ​Video​ link to learn more.

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Castlebrooke S. S.- Manufacturing Unit (Personal Keychain Project) September, 2018
Create G-Code
STEP 1
Save Toolpath.
Click on the icon indicated by the arrow that saves
the toolpath.

STEP 2

Save Toolpaths:

Post Processor:
AXYZ 4010 Arcs (inch) (*.nc)

What is Post Processor?

This converts your graphic design into a
Machine code called G-Code

Now what is this G-Code?:

Well….Google it yourself.

Save Toolpath(s):
Click on Save Toolpaths.
Save this file in the teacher specified folder.

Save Design:
Click on ​File​…>​Save as​……>
Now save this file in the same teacher specified
folder with the file format ​lastname_firstname

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE DONE!!

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Castlebrooke S. S.- Manufacturing Unit (Personal Keychain Project) September, 2018