Let's Make a Simple Wood Engraved Design Using G-codes and M-codes on a CNC Machine

In this Instructable, I will be taking you through the steps I took to make this design on MDF wood Board using a Computer-numerically controlled Router machine.

Please, come along with me.

MDF Board

CNC Machine

CNC Router bit

CAM software

Vector Graphics software

Get the image of the shape you want to design with.

I got this particular shape from an Instructable; and downloaded one of the CAD drawings https://www.instructables.com/How-to-program-arcs-...

Alternatively, you can make a sketch of it on paper or draw it on a CAD Software.

I downloaded Inkscape v1.1 for the purpose of this project.

I imported the image into inkscape as a vector.

I then sketched on top of it using the drawing tools

Computer-Aided Manufacturing softwares recognise .dxf files or .bmp files

I exported the shape i redesigned from Inkscape to be imported into a CAM sotware

Using Art CAM 20087, the result is as shown; after importing the .dxf file

You can alternatively use Lazy CAM or other softwares

Configure the CAM software to do the grooving/ profiling with the selected tool on the CNC machine

CAM softwares allow you to do a dry simulation; and so you can preview the outcome before machining

Mach 3 is the software I am using with my BETA CNC Router machine.

The CAM software can generate the G-codes as .txt file, .nc file, .tap file amongst other extension formats.

Ensure the dimensions (mm or inches) are accurate with the configuration on the CNC machine.

You can view the G-code mine generated from the link below

G-code file for my instructable

https://drive.google.com/file/d/180dcEaS7vjpKyKYFs...

I did a twin-replica of the shape i got online.

You can see the CNC output of the work in the pictures

So, this happened to be my very first Instructable.

I am Timothy Aderogba, I just resumed a new position as Design Engineer few weeks ago; and I am getting on with my first-hand experience on a Forsun Beta CNC Router machine. You can look forward to more instructables from me soon. Follow me and let's connect.

I will be glad to hear you comments below.

Warm regards.