AutoPass Endless Pattern: Moulding Style

Instructions

To cut this pattern, we use the ramp phase of the AutoPass extension in a somewhat creative way. AutoPass plunges the cutter deeper into the workpiece with each pass in a linear motion. The length of this ramp phase varies depending on the depth of cut and the selected plunge speed. Since we can calculate this length relatively well, you get great opportunities to create three-dimensional patterns with Origin. For the beginning, it might be good to try cutting a simple star to familiarize yourself with the general process – it's pretty easy! Have a look here: http://community.shapertools.com/t/autopass-patterns-star-and-spiral SOME BASICS: (1) Since AutoPass does not work with open paths (lines), this pattern consist of several shapes, of which we always cut only the curved segment (= our cutting path). The remaining straight segment of the shapes are only a means to an end to be able to use AutoPass (= irrelevant path segment). (2) We simulate an online cut by setting the negative half cutter diameter as the offset. Both V-cutters I'm using for this pattern have a maximum diameter of 3 mm, so we choose "-1.5 mm" as offset. (3) In order to have good control over the start and end when cutting, the shapes are designed in a way that they always have a hard angle at the start and end points. This makes it easy to prevent Origin from cutting into the straight segment of the shape that we want to leave out. Be sure to avoid using Auto-Lock during cutting! (4) You can use a trick to test whether you have set the correct parameters to get the perfect ramp length. Since the usual AirCut is not suitable for this purpose, let's use the manual Z-Touch. Start the manual Z-Touch function and move down the bit juuuust a little and set this value to zero. Now you can test without turning on the spindle resp. without cutting into your material. The behavior of AutoPass is the same as real cutting. During (air) cutting our patterns, Origin should always display a light blue line. This is an indicator of the ongoing ramping phase. When the line turns dark blue, the ramp phase is over and the maximum cutting depth has been reached. If the line turns dark blue near or better directly at your the end point, you have set the perfect plunge speed. PLACING AND REPEATING THE SVG: The moulding pattern consists of four layers resp. stacked SVGs, everyone with its own cut settings for plunge speed, depth of cut and cutter type. All SVGs include a custom anchor to make stacking and alignment easy. To repeat the pattern just place the SVG stack with an offset of 120 mm to the left or right. The easiest way to do this is to first place a layer / SVG where you want it on your workpiece. Then click the round Copy button at the bottom Origins screen and then select the Position menu. To extend the pattern to the right, now simply enter "+ 120 mm" for the x position. When lining up, please always place the full segments next to each other with no gaps, otherwise the pattern may not look right. HOW TO CUT: (1) Prepare your workspace and Origin: mount the cutter for your first layer, z-touch, set spindle speed, scan the workspace, grid, load the first Layer/SVG and place it next to each other as many times as you like. When the first Layer is cut, load and place the next one and do the specific settings. Please make sure every SVG is placed at the exactly the same position as the SVG before. (2) Do the settings: Set you offset to minus (!) half cutter diameter. Activate AutoPass for Layers 1, 2 and 3. Deactivate the "Pass Depth" toggle as well as the "Roughing Passes" toggle in the AutoPass settings. Layer 4 doesn't need AutoPass because the circles will be cut regularly. The settings for the SVGs are: – Layer 1 - Cutter = 60°, depth = 3 mm, plunge speed = 225 mm/min – Layer 2 - Cutter = 60°, depth = 2 mm, plunge speed = 400 mm/min – Layer 3 - Cutter = 60°, depth = 2 mm, plunge speed = 320 mm/min – Layer 4 - Cutter = 37°, depth = 1 mm, standard cut, no AutoPass (3) Start cutting and don't active Auto-Lock! Cut slowly along your segment until you reach the end point. Stop cutting. Repeat this process for each stroke of the current layer. Do not be surprised, because every visual line consists of two cuts. They're cut from the outside to the inside and meet in the middle, at their deepest point. This gives the impression of one single line that first becomes deeper and wider and then thinner and flatter again. CHANGE PATTERN SIZE AND CUTTING DEPTH: Since this pattern is very complex, changing the cutting depth and size of the pattern is not as easy as with the star, spiral or helix. You are welcome to do this, but then you will have to determine the path lengths and plunge speeds individually by yourself. Drop me a note if you need some advice on this. FURTHER READING: – General discussion about RampArt: http://community.shapertools.com/t/autopass-ramp-art – Beau's pretty cool calculator: http://community.shapertools.com/t/engraving-and-autopass-ramping-and-calculators – Discussion regarding this project: http://community.shapertools.com/t/autopass-endless-pattern-moulding-style MORE PATTERNS: – 5-point star: https://hub.shapertools.com/creators/623dae1dfb4d27f71b9ebdb0/shares/65dfa95a3c4f43b001f32a70 – Star and Spiral: https://hub.shapertools.com/creators/623dae1dfb4d27f71b9ebdb0/shares/63b8145350c65c5f829171b5 – Double Helix: https://hub.shapertools.com/creators/623dae1dfb4d27f71b9ebdb0/shares/63bfea2907f13e3dc4972b69