Read this page to see information on what 3D and 4 axis CNC are all about its not the same as 2d or 2.5D puzzles which are commonly refered to as 3D puzzles the ones you see made from sheet stock on the rest of our website its a whole new world of CNC that uses different software and different tooling so its important for you to know what these differences are. NFORMATION BELOW FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO CUT IN 3D 3D Routing & Carving with CNC Machines CNC Routing Machines, such as the Probotix V90 Fireball, can accomplish 3D work with little confusion or effort. With a little of the correct knowledge it can be done but mostly with the correct software.

MakeCNC uses the Probotix V90 Fireball and programs like Meshcam and CNC wrapper for all of its 3d projects and prototyping work as well. So examples on this website will be assumed to be made with those products but should work fine with almost any CNC router. We have written this article to give you an introduction to 3D CNC and 3D relief Carving using CNC Routers and to show you how to work with 3D features with whatever type of software application you use in your work. Not everyone uses the same methods and/or software for 3D Machining but understanding the different choices will help you choose a method that's right for you. Some History with 2D and 2.5D All 3 Axis and 4 Axis CNC machines are capable of doing 3D in its fullest. 3 Axis interpolation is a term which means that moves made on the machine are smooth in 3D space when using diagonals and curves. Some earlier CNC machines were not capable of 3D carving because either their Z axis moved only when X and Y were not moving or they only had a single up and down position.

These were called 2 or 2.5D robotic tools. The 2D or 3D terms now refer to what the design software can do rather than the designing side of the project. 2D is when you only have the flat outline of an object or picture you would like to cut out. Once you add straight up and down movements of the CNC cutter in and out of the material you are using this is called 2.5D.

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Your project starts off as 2D but can change to 2.5D during the process of your tool path creation. This occurs when you assign a depth for the CNC machines tool motion. The software then generates the part file. The instructions first move the CNC tool to the assigned cutting depth in the Z axis and then moves the cutter through the XY tool path at that depth. The instructions then returns the CNC tool to the starting height with a straight pull up.

So in essence, when the file is finished the cutting tool has actually moved in three dimensions.the X, Y and Z, but all the X and Y axis motion is still in a single plane and the X and Y actually stop when the Z axis plunges or pulls up. This makes it 2D. When you are designing CNC in 2.5D the CAD/CAM Software is pretty straightforward because you don't have to worry about visualizing your part in 3 dimensions unless your parts are put together to create a 3d object after they are cut, of course. CAD/CAM Software works very well for projects where you cut parts out of sheet material. It also works well where you are pocketing areas. All of this type of cutting can be done in different cutting planes after dropping to a cutting depth.

That might be the Ticket! V-Carving is commonly thought of as a 2.5D design process. The technique used in this uses CNC motion with a v-shaped cutter which gives a chiseled look to lettering and other shapes that ordinarily would have been carved by hand.

This is also known as chip carving. This is called 2.5D even though the design you are working with is still 2D in nature and the CNC movements that create the chisel effect involve full 3D, which contains the simultanuous motion of the X, Y and Z motion of the cutter. You can definately add a spectacular look to your sign work or woodcarvings with V-Carving.