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ArtCAM – A brilliant image milling program

Hi,
I would like to present you the instructions for creating a GCode for a CNC milling machine in the ArtCAM program. It will be created from the photo. This is a very simple method to obtain a milled image. You can use it to create icons, but also to create family photos. Very simple software.

I will show you how to get to work in a few steps.


Installation:
After downloading the ArtCAM software, open the folder and the installation program.
After correct installation, the program can be opened using the ArtCAM.exe file.
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Create a new project:
To create a new project from an image, select file> New> From Image File. Then we choose the image we are interested in and choose it.
In the next step, ArtCAM will ask us a few important things. First, what dimensions should the image be about. At the very beginning, we have default values ​​loaded into the image, but you can change them.
We also need to enter the Z value, which is the maximum height at which the image will be pulled.
You should also show where the center of the coordinate system should be.
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Model smoothing:
The model is created on the basis of the brightness of the colors or shades of gray. By default, black is the maximum extrusion (the Z value given by us), while white is zero. As a result, all darker and lighter colors receive an intermediate value depending on what they are closer to. Unfortunately,  this is not an ideal method because irregularities appear on the surface of the detail. However, the creator of this software thought about it and gave tools to smooth the surface.
The easiest one is Smooth Relief. To use it, go to the 3D view and click on the tool icon in the left corner. Next, we choose the smoothing method and the number of repetitions to obtain the best possible surface of the element.
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Creating GCode:
When our model is ready for milling, we can create our GCode for the machine tool. We go to the Toolpaths tab. Here we choose the Machina Relief icon. We will create a GCode here. To do this, first select the tool you will use for the work. If it is not created like this, we can add them. We must provide all the parameters of the cutter, including Diameter, Speed, type.
Then we add our material, specifying its thickness and the location of the zero point.
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Simulating and saving the code:
When generating the code, we have to choose the quality we care about. Of course, it should be remembered that the better the whole thing will last longer.
When saving the file, remember to save it in the .nc format
The file we create is modifiable and three lines of code should be changed in it. (Instruction in photos)
The changed code can be opened in a program, eg GRBLControl, and start working
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Milling:
The changed code can be opened in a program, GRBLControl, and start working.
The element milled by us is of really good quality. Of course, it could also help to choose a better quality in the options.
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Components made:
I did the milling on an engraving CNC 3018 PRO.
The very process of making the 50x60 element lasted about 7 hours. It is not a dizzying speed, but the design of the machine and the program generated from ArtCAM allow it. The knife that was used is sharpened, so to get the exact detail the number of passes is considerable.
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Summary:
I consider the ArtCam program to be a very clever tool for work. I have just described the simplest way to generate the code here. The software itself allows much more, of course. We can directly create simple models or generate them from very complex photos. I think that if someone delves into this program, you can create really very creative projects.
Feel free to discuss in the comments and like our page on FB.

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