3D routing with ArtCam

get an 1/8" tapered ballnose, w/ 1/4" shank... maybe a 3" and a 2" overall length... those bits will do a lot of 3D, and while the 1/8' ballnose tip can so some fine detail, the stronger shank makes it possible to charge harder through foam, in less passes, or faster speeds. the taper will of course leave less then true 90 degree side cuts, but on textured work, sometimes that can work... other times you come back with an endmil...

I highly recommend Dan Sawatzky's 3D routing workshops too!

 

look up tapered ballnose

 

Forget tools for right now. You can purchase ball nose cutters for cheap and they last forever when it comes to 3d routing. I don't know what type of materials you plan on model with with but your local tool supplier will help you along with new projects.
We do thick MDF sometimes up to 10" for thermoforming.
I've been using ArtCam for about 9 years now.
My advice is, be patient, practice your program as much as possible and have fun. I can tell you that with time comes experience and with that experience you will find out that nothing is impossible for ArtCam.
Once you start working with 3d pick a project once a week or every other week. Find 3d logo or design and try to recreate it. Best practice you will ever find. I'd start with Nissan logo for beginers. Have fun and.......practice.

 

ArtCam is great to work with - I've been using it for years myself.

It can be a lot to take in at first but once you get use to it all the tools are easy to work with and you can produce some sweet looking pieces in no time.

 

Good luck with the training. Hope it goes well. I bought and tried to get a grasp of Artcam years ago and just couldn't quickly make it do what I wanted so I got discouraged with it.

I know it's my fault in that I didnt spend enough time getting used to it. I bailed a couple years ago and bought Aspire and really like that for some reason. I found it much easier to get a hang of.

Please be sure to report back on how your training goes, price (if applicable) and details.

 

Doug from iSign has been to our workshop twice- once before he bought his router and once afterwards. We've had a bunch of folks who use ArtCam come to the workshops and they all got a lot out of it.

Our next workshop is scheduled for March 4-6. the link for info is here...

http://www.imaginationcorporation.ca/workshops.html

-grampa dan