Tag with a (Celtic) twist.

For Darrin’s name plaque I decided to go with a Celtic design which is part of the TEXTURE MAGIC collecion. The bitmap could be stretched a little but the shape of the file would largely determine the dimensions. 
It is not yet possible to rotate bitmaps in EnRoute so I created a rectangular vector and then a flat relief. Then I applied the bitmap.
The relief looked pretty good but was flat and smooth – a little smooth for my taste.
Once I had rotated the relief 90 degrees I overlaid the bitmap I call splotches over the relief and used it to apply a subtle texture to the relief.
Then I typed in Darrin’s name and converted it to vectors. The next step was to create an outline around the lettering. This outline was used to modify the relief. The last step was to add the bevelled lettering.
The file was then sent to the MultiCam and routed from 1.5″ 30 lb Precision Board.
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Once upon a time…

Each sign and feature we are creating for the Fox & Hounds Pub does a variety of tasks. Branding, of course is the primary function. The signs must identify the business. As clients move through the space they must be reminded of where they are. The signs and identity must be memorable. But each of our signs also tell a story. We call it fictionalized history. It is all based on a true and believable story. 
The Fox & Hounds Pub history goes back, almost two hundred years, to England. When the pub was built in Aldergrove, British Columbia, some of the original timbers, from the original Fox & Hounds pub were used in it’s construction. This is the basis of our story. But like all stories it has grown richer and more elaborate with time…
The original founder of the Fox & Hounds Pub was a huntsman of course. When he came to Canada, back in 1812 (the year the British beat back the Americans in the famous war if that same year) he settled in the area we now know as Aldergrove. There were foxes a plenty in those woods in those days. He used the large timbers to build a small pub and named it after his favorite pastime. The little pub prospered through the years and was passed down from generation to generation. As the town grew the building was added to by various craftsmen. Some were skilled with fine tools, others were more basic and built of heavy, rough hewn timbers. Some built of brick, others were masons who used local stone. Through the years the family provided great service and the business prospered. As with every building that dates back two hundred years, some of the walls have settled a little in places. Not everything is totally level or plumb after all these years.
The artwork, signs and features are all in support of this story. Anything that does not fit is simply not there. Everything else does it’s job seamlessly.
The family crest that hangs over the fireplace give us plenty of information. A stylized fox and hound, typical of this style crest, flank the shield. The ‘P’ is for the Paul family. A crown signifies the ties to merry old England. The Latin phrase, PUBLICAN EXIMUS, speaks of the most excellent service the Paul family provided since the year of 1812.
The crest is now done. All we have to do is finish the fireplace where it will hang.
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

120 different ideas and counting

In the last four years I’ve had to come up with more than 120 name tags for our workshop attendees. They have all been different. For anyone who is serious about learning EnRoute I would recommend designing and routing a few dozen of these types of things. It will force you to be creative and also learn many of EnRoute’s features.
For these series of name plaques I took a little different approach than previous. I have a good collection of cartoon fonts which I like to use. I scrolled through them, with the list of names handy. As I matched the names I sketched in my sketch book and also made notes. I also matched texture bitmaps from my collection to go with each piece. It didn’t take too long to come up with 25 new ideas I needed.
Butch is well known in the sign making world, a popular and knowledgable teacher in his own right. He is also very good at marketing. Somehow ‘evil genius’ typestyle looked right. The texture ‘chinese food’ also worked for this name.
The vectors were simple.  I started with the lettering border. I created a flat relief and then used the vector oval to modify it to a slight dome shape. 
Next up was the border for the oval. I used the limit to height command to create a chamfer around the edge.
Then I selected the oval border and the inside oval vector and modified the relief with a dome shape. This same selection was modified one more time by adding a bitmap texture.
The lettering outline was then nudged upward in the front view using the up arrow. This was merged highest to the original relief.
The last step was to create the lettering. Once again I used the dome tool to modify the relief.
 -dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Drifting along…

For Aaron’s name plaque decided a driftwood backing would be cool. I drew up a quick sketch using Letterhead Font’s Quickdraw for the lettering. It’s one of my fonts.
As I looked at the bitmaps in the TEXTURE Magic collection I decided to go with the vertical driftwood   instead of the horizontal version I had drawn in my sketch.
The first task was to quickly draw in the vectors by tracing the driftwood bitmap.
After creating a slightly domed relief I applied the bitmap.
Then, using the sculpting tool I enhanced and deepened the grain of the wood, making the areas I have drawn in red deeper.
The border for Arron was created as a flat relief.
I selected this flat relief and a vector circle I had drawn around it. Then I modified the letter border relief by doming it the same amount I had applied to the wood background.
I positioned the lettering border within the driftwood and adjusted the height vertically in the front view.
After merging the last step was to create the lettering by modifying the relief. The lettering was prismatic in style.
As per usual the file was routed from 1.5″ 30 lb Precision Board. The MultiCam made short with of the file and it was now ready for paint.
Stay tuned for more nameplates…
-dan

Published with permission from precisionboard.blogspot.com. Source.

Now That’s a CNC Machine

We’ve been hearing for a few years now about the massive CNC machine over at Phoenix Technology Works, but until we actually saw a picture, we honestly did not have a true image of just how big it was. It’s one thing to read that the CMS Poseidon Moving Bridge is housed in a 10,000 square foot building and is capable of machining parts up to 65 feet long, 20 feet wide and 10 feet tall without indexing. It’s another thing entirely to see a flatbed truck parked comfortably between the gantry pillars.

Phoenix’s Poseidon is certified for accuracy to within +/- .004 in., ideal for the exacting standards of their typical projects, which include large composite layup tools, milled patterns, molds, and many other tooling applications for aerospace, marine and transportation. The accuracy that Phoenix strives for is reflected in one of their favorite materials to work with, Precision Board Plus. “We particularly like how nicely Precision Board Plus machines, including the fact that it does not chip out. The guys in the shop like the small cell size, which has cut our finishing time in half”, says Production Manager Dan Welch.

Phoenix has extensive experience with Precision Board Plus, having machined every density from PBLT-4 to PBLT-40. According to Dan, they prefer to bond all their substructures to a rigid frame. “We rough to 0.100 of the finish, semi-finish to 0.040, and then run a finish pass at net”.

Located in Phoenix Arizona, Phoenix Technology Works has the engineering horsepower to “clean Sheet plan” your next project or they can take your current files and perform an FEA or CFD study. Check out their website at phoenixtechnologyworks.com.

Did You Know?

In addition to manufacturing blocks and sheets of Precision Board Plus in 13 standard densities and in any thickness from 1/4″ to 24″, Coastal Enterprises also makes custom bonded rough tooling blocks, ready to machine. We’re experts at bonding Precision Board Plus.

Simply provide us with the rough dimensions or a drawing of your tool and we’ll bond up a custom rough tooling block in a manner that conserves material and minimizes waste. Buy only the material you need and keep your staff focused on what they do best, machining! Learn more about our custom bonding service, request a quote on your bonding job, or give us a call at (800) 845-0745.