How to do V-Bit Carving in Wood With CNC Router Machine?

CNC Router machine can do very well on the V carving. The unique shape of v-bits create carves that are narrow at the deepest part of the carve (created by the tip of the bit) and wider at the top of the material.

When cnc router machine start to work as v carving, x, y and z axis will move at the same time, and z axis will go as z+ and z- as G code told it. For 2d design work, only x and y axis moves, z axis will not move in sync.

In order to achieve a true v-carving effect, the bit must gradually rise up as it exits a toolpath, meaning that the Z-axis is moving in sync with the X and Y axis. This movement creates a tapered look entirely unique to v-carving.
You can change the look of a V Carving just by changing the bit angle. A bit with a high angle will leave a shallower letter than a low angle bit. A 30 degree bit will cut deep into the wood while a bit with a 120 degree angle will leave a wide shallow groove. By careful selection of the router bit you can use the same tool path and get several different looks.

Below is the whole processing work from toolpath creating to woodworking finished. You may also could read the text below the video for toolpath creating step by step.

Select the pattern in JD artform, set the scale.

Click tool path wizard, select 3D corner clean up, choose T Big endmill.  Strongly suggest you to learn about cnc router bits basics if you are new to cnc machine. It gives the idea about mills types, bits size for plywood cutting, hardwood furniture cutting i.e.

• Set cut depth under “Maching Range” to 4mm.

• Select “Layer Count value” under Vertical Layer to 1.

• At “Tool Parameter”, set spindle speed to 24000rpm, plunge rate value to 3,

• At motion setting, clearance plane value 10, relative retract to 8. plunage distance 5, then click calculate.

Click Simulation button, set z value to 0 at Bounding box. Then click to start, and we will see how the whole processing work.

Final Work

• The wider the gap between the two vectors, the deeper the v-bit will cut.
• The narrower the gap between the two vectors, the shallower the v-bit will cut.
• The higher the included angle of the v-bit, the more ‘pointed’ it is and the deeper it will cut.
• The lower the included angle of the v-bit, the ‘flatter’ it is and will cut shallower