Chess Board

Using ArtCAM Express software to make a Chess board. The design can be modified as needed.

Things you need:

· ArtCAM Express

· CNC Machine

· Selection of cutting tools

· Piece of wood

1. Open a new model of dimensions 750 x 750 x 10 mm

2. Open the Create Rectangle tool to create a square

3. Specify a height and width of 50mm

4. Create and then centre in model using the F9 or the Centre in Model tool

5. Use the Create Arcs tool to create an arc along each of the four sides, deflecting inwards as much as possible

6. Create a circle with one edge on the centre of the square and one on the midpoint of the edge of the square for each edge

7. Create a circle with the centre at the centre of the square and drag out a suitable amount

8. Use the Trim Vectors tool to get rid of all of the extra vectors, this is the design of the alternating squares

9. Group the remaining vectors for the design but not the square itself

10. While holding the Ctrl button move the vector so duplicate is created

11. Align the two squares so the corners are touching

12. Select both groups of inside design vectors but not the surrounding squares

13. Select the Block Copy/ Rotate button and block copy the vectors with no gap, 4 columns and 4 rows

14. Group all these vectors

15. Repeat the process with the squares, grouping them together afterwards

16. Select all the vectors and centre in the model

17. Snap a square vector around this pattern, this is the grid for the chess board

1. Use the Create Polygon tool to create a polygon of 8 sides and a radius of 350mm

2. Centre this in the model using F9 or the Centre in Model tool

3. Use the Node Editing tool to pull in the two nodes on either side

4. Offset the vector around the chess grid outside by 5mm

5. Select both this new vector and the polygon vector, and create an inwards offset of 30mm

6. 4 triangles should be created, group these

1. Use the Create Rectangle tool to create a square with a height and width of 10mm and an angle of rotation of 45 degrees and select create

2. Block copy this diamond with a gap of zero and make a grid of 100 x 100

3. Group these vectors

4. Select the 4 triangles previously created and then reselect the diamond pattern vectors and use the Vector
Clipping tool to clip the vectors inside the triangles, and trimming overlapping vectors. Make sure you select the triangles first

5. Regroup these vectors

1. Select the group of square vectors which make up the chess grid and use the Create Area Clearance Toolpath tool with a start depth of 0mm, a finish depth of 1mm and a 1.5mm end mill selected and calculate in order to create alternating heights to the squares

2. Hide this toolpath by clicking on the light bulbs in the project tree

3. Select the same group of vectors and the square vector around the edge of the grid. Create a profile toolpath along these vectors with a 90 degree V-bit tool cutting to a depth of 1mm in order the chamfer the sharp edges created in the previous toolpath

4. Select the group of vectors that make the pattern inside the squares and use a profile toolpath along the vectors using a 90 degree V-bit tool. Specify a start height of 1mm and an end height of 1.5mm. This will carve out the pattern

5. Select the vector which creates a border around the grid, using a V-bit carving tool create a profile toolpath with a depth of a millimetre along the vector

6. Select the group of vectors which make up the pattern in the four triangles. Use a V-bit toolpath to carve these out using a small 90 degree carving tool

7. Select the four triangles and create a profile toolpath along these of a depth of 1mm with a 90 degree tool to
neaten up the pattern

8. Select the outer vector and create a chamfer effect by using a profile toolpath along the vector with a depth of 3mm with a 100 degree tool

9. Cut the board out by creating a profile toolpath around the outside of the outer vector using a 6mm end mill
and a finish depth of 10mm

1. Click on the Simulate All Toolpaths tool from the toolpath menu

2. Right click on the simulation on the project tree and select “Delete Waste Material” and click on the material surround the board

3. Next left click on the simulation and change the simulation material to a suitable wood

4. Save the toolpaths to send them to a CNC machine