Over the weekend I got the HB2 Router into a full production run on a carving for the first time. At last it is a living breathing (well not exactly) machine. It has been a long time getting to this point but the results were well worth the effort. I think the machine itself is a mechanical wonder just looking at it.
I chose a very detailed and difficult design to be the first run on the machine. It is the Aztec calendar that most people recognize. There were a few flaws with the run, but the intent was not a perfect output but a very good test of how well the machine would hold up. The machine was perfect.
The problem was the V-Bit I chose to run the design. I should have used less obtuse angle for a deeper cut. Some variation in the material height caused drop out of very fine details in some limited areas. It is hard to tell unless you know the actual design of the calendar.
I will of course run the design again and get a much nicer output. That’s the beauty of a CNC controlled machine. The project can be run as many times as desired. Pictures are posted over on the THMS Blog for you to peruse.