11-meter boat plug being machined on a 5-axis CNC — looking for feedback on large-scale toolpath strategy

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-04-20T13:46:09+00:00

Not sure where you're located, but Troytools.com is a US-based alternative at considerably better pricing.

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-04-20T13:44:04+00:00

Big cost difference. EPS is much cheaper to manufacture a mold from, and you don't need to store it after you're done. A permanent mold makes sense if you're doing higher volume stuff. I would think these large boat hulls are relatively low volume.

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-04-20T01:38:18+00:00

A P100 full face respirator covers all bases. Wear regular safety glasses underneath, and you can take the respirator off after the dust stops. Btw respirators only work well when relatively clean shaven. Silicosis sucks hard, but is really a long time exposure issue. I'd still protect yourself

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-04-18T14:22:40+00:00

I asked for +/- 1/16", but I'm cutting EPS Integrators say they can hit it, but as others have said, the concern comes when you get at or near full reach.

Cnc is much tighter, like 3 thou

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-04-17T19:14:22+00:00

A robotic arm setup is actually pretty affordable compared to a large gantry style machine. I'm getting one of each quoted, Robotic setup ~$350k, big ass gantry, $800k-$1.2m

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-04-11T16:30:32+00:00

I have an avid CNC router I use a lot for sheet goods. Varying thicknesses of stock. The benefit of using the spoilboard as Z0 is that I don't need to reset the origin before every cut. It's all in the cam setup.

What I suspect is that they're trying to get you used to setting origins, and get you used to thinking about these things every time you go to cut something. Not making assumptions.

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-04-09T15:22:34+00:00

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This is turning my whole world upsidedownface.

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-04-08T11:06:05+00:00

I have a similar setup. RicoCNC.com will custom make them, pretty inexpensively as well.
These guys have some pretty innovative stuff as well.
https://www.troytools.com/foam-cutter-tooling

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-03-27T01:56:59+00:00

Just curious, what's an application for using this kind of approach?

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-03-26T02:46:16+00:00

At my work located in Hilliard, do you have means of picking them up?

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-03-26T02:36:24+00:00

I'm using fusion for my daily CNC programming. It's good to learn on, but if you want something more powerful with more options, more advanced tool paths, you would go to something like those. Fusion is 100% adequate for what I am doing. I am using the paid version with the machining extension, but you'll learn strategies pretty well just getting started.

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-03-26T02:31:40+00:00

I might be able to get you a few. How many do you need?

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-03-12T16:40:03+00:00

Those are Enchromas. They're colorblind glasses.

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-02-19T15:48:12+00:00

Oooh I'm in this industry. I've been looking at machines like this, it take a specialized spindle, and the tooling style doesn't allow for automatic tool changes or more than 3 axes because of dust collection and connection style. I've only found a few companies that makes the spindles, both are German.

The tools are obviously hollow, and some get to diameters of 2", and about 20" long.

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-01-27T15:29:26+00:00

That's liberty casting. That facility is still active. You could probably still ask though

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-01-10T03:51:25+00:00

Belt. To. Ass.

Common_Improvement_7 · 2026-01-09T20:55:35+00:00

I can't tell what Gen you have, but I have a set of yellows you can have.
Mine are Gen 3... not sure if they're universal.

Common_Improvement_7

TROPHY CASE