Batch Carving: Creating and Applying Parameter Templates

Want to improve your engraving efficiency? We’ll show you how to create parameter templates and quickly apply them. We’ll cover the essentials of parameter settings, template management techniques, and solutions to common problems. We’ll help you say goodbye to repetitive adjustments and achieve batch engraving with ease.It is suitable for handcrafters, CNC carvers, and design enthusiasts.

Why use a parameter template?

You've probably encountered this situation before. Each time you carve a different material, you have to adjust speed, depth, and tool parameters, which is a pain and delays getting the work done.Actually, all it takes is to build a parameter template, which is like preparing a special recipe for each different type of food. With wood, acrylic, or metal, you just select the corresponding template, which saves time and avoids mistakes.

Four steps for creating a parameter template.

Find your materials.

It is suggested that you choose 3-5 of your most commonly used materials to serve as a foundation for your template.For example, a woodcarver may begin with basswood, black walnut or mahogany. The hardness of each type of wood affects how hard you must press and how fast you must move.

Practical tests.

Don't blindly trust the default parameters! Try a test run with scrap material first: first set the parameters 20 % lower, then gradually increase them.Remember to check the depth of cut at right-angle corners, where the tool is most likely to break.

Special requirements noted.

In the notes section of the template I write down things like, "I recommend a 0.8-mm drill for hardwood" or "Acrylic needs to be cooled." I can still understand what I wrote three months later.

Establish a version management system.

Each time you modify the template, save it as a new version with the date appended to the filename, e.g.If the new parameters run into problems, they can quickly switch back to the old version to get things running again.

Three tips for using templates.

Pre-processing of materials.

For example, when working on a metal sign with a wood grain pattern, you can load templates for both metals and wood, take the middle value, and reduce the feed speed by 30 % to ensure good quality in the transition area.

Batch tasks are grouped.

The software can also be used to create a template for the parameters of a particular material, and then to apply that template to all the objects of that material.Make sure the diameters of all the blades are the same, otherwise using one template with different sizes of blades will cause accidents.

Fine tuning of dynamic parameters.

The templates are not rigid rules! When working with damp wood or when the cutting tools are worn, the speed is reduced by 15 % from the original template.It is recommended that the offset be adjusted in the control software, rather than modifying the source file.

He's also often been called on to help with overturned trucks.

If the template produces jagged edges, check first to see if the spindle speed is appropriate for the tool size.If the error occurs in a multi-layer carving, make sure that the Z-axis compensation value has not been accidentally set to zero.When there is no way to find the cause, taking out the backup copy of the default template and comparing it to the current one often reveals the key to the problem.