New To CNC but not 3d printing. Can I use TINKERCAD?

CAD/CAM Software Tips
1

Ahoy All,
My Maslow4 has not gotten to me yet but I want to get the CAD parts figured out before this thing arrives.
Is there a super simple software I can use to get the 3d modeling part of the plan down?
I understand there is another file type I need to convert to in order for the machine to operate just like with 3d printing.
I use Tinkercad with my 3d prints so is there a way to use that to work with this system? Trying to avoid having to learn a new 3dMod software from scratch… but if that’s the only way , so be it.
What to you folks recommend?
Thanks,
-Jeffo

2

Any cad program will work, what you need is a CAM program, there are several out
there (we have several threads the list them, so I’m not going to start a list
here)

David Lang

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3

If you are just getting started learn the basics by cutting a pattern (2D) before you attempt 3D carving.

4

Jeffo, welcome!

For 2d cuts, I’d recommend you make your drawing with inkscape or another vector art program (I hear abode also has one, lol). The output from this step is an SVG image. Really anything that can produce an SVG can be used for this. I’ve even used python to generate box joint boxes to cut.

Then you need to process the vector with a CAM program, defining paths, passes, depth, etc to produce gcode for “grbl” (common gcode for many cnc machines). Openbuilds CAM, Krabzcam are some browser based free options I like. As David says there are many (in this topic are several).

If you really do want to try 2 1/2D carving you can take your tinkercad output into a cam program and define the toolpaths for carving out the 2 1/2 D shape to produce gcode. I don’t have any tips for what would be a good choice there. I’ve used fusion 360 and freecad, both of which have CAM, and I don’t love either option. As gazinux says this is a bit complicated compared to 3D printing.

Then once you have the gcode, you can upload it to the maslow and cut it (once you have it set up and calibrated)

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5

Tinkercad can export svg and other formats that CAM can process.

David Lang

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6

And for both 2D and 2.5D carving check out Estlecam