I would like to know about how long it would take to set up a cnc using this picture below. It is from wifes stained glass catalog of patterns... I made one exactly like this then changed the birds to cardinals which better goes with our area. Don't believe any love birds are seen here except in cars. 

 

This is what I saw in the original picture. I am wondering if it would be worth my time investing in a cnc for I only do one of a kind. It always comes to me as I am putting something together to make changes the next time I start thinking to do the same picture.

 Or can a person make this with a cnc?

  I think lots of guys never being around a cnc knows what one will or can do??  Maybe you guys can help clear up the ??????'s

Going from scratch without a 3D model it would involve considerable modeling time in the software, and even more time to cut using a CNC.  There is some value in the hand carved look that simply won't be there if CNC cut. The tight inside corners can't be done, implying the need to make several individual pieces to fit together when done. 

 

Optionally the design could be simplified a bit just to make it simpler to cut on a CNC, but it would still be a challenge. 

 

For the time invested I think you are better off doing them the way you are.  The only real advantage would come from the ability to  make more than one once the needed files are created. 

Some things are better left to the hands of an artist.

On 7/28/2017 at 4:09 PM, 4DThinker said:

Going from scratch without a 3D model it would involve considerable modeling time in the software, and even more time to cut using a CNC.  There is some value in the hand carved look that simply won't be there if CNC cut. The tight inside corners can't be done, implying the need to make several individual pieces to fit together when done. 

 

Optionally the design could be simplified a bit just to make it simpler to cut on a CNC, but it would still be a challenge. 

 

For the time invested I think you are better off doing them the way you are.  The only real advantage would come from the ability to  make more than one once the needed files are created. 

Like 4D says this could be done and would take time to make the models but some of it would go quickly.  It also depends on how much detail you want in the models.  If you want that hand worked look you can build it right into the models.  This is an intarsia project so all the elements could be modeled and carved separately just like you did when you made it.

 

You changed the birds to something you wanted and with the CNC design file you could do the same thing but next week instead of making the same one with the Cardinals you could be carving one with Blue Jays on it.  The week after that something else.

 

Don't get me wrong , I like the two projects you show and you did a great gob on them but a CNC'er can take that project and invest the time to build the models and layout then cut it over and over with small changes that makes each carving project different and can cut them over and over again.  That being said 3D modeling is not for everyone and a lot of people would rather buy a model than to invest the time to make one.  Some people would not have a clue where to even start a design file for a project like this and even fewer would want to follow through with the design.

 

I do one of a kind projects also but I have a tendency to always be thinking how I can make this serve more than one purpose.

 

 

I appreciate the OP's question as I'm often confronted by students wanting such and such cut on our CNCs.  Each project is different, and will be a one-off job.  The roll I play has evolved to include being able to filter out requests which could be done more easily using other machines in our shop.  I also scout around for projects that COULD be better done on a CNC than the way a student is currently planning to cut them. 

 

Having a big CNC that can cut parts from 4x8 sheets of plywood has made our students assume that ANYTHING to be cut from plywood should be cut on the CNC.  I've gotten requests for a sheet full of rectangles to be cut, and had to show the student how our panel saw and table saws can cut rectangles out of that sheet in less time than it would take me to draw up and toolpath their request.  I've had students show me the rough-sawn plank of some hardwood they want to cut all their parts out of using the CNC.  They get to learn how our jointer and planers are better at making their plank flat and uniformly thick. They'll learn that most of their parts can be ripped from the plank on the table saw and cut to length using our compound miter saw.  Now when they want tenons cut on the ends or dovetails on an edge the CNC moves up to be the best choice for handling those cuts.

 

It is tempting to believe a CNC can be a complete shop, and one creatively configured could come close.  But if time is money, then a more efficient shop has all the other tools I've mentioned, and several more. 

 

4D   

The CNC Panel Saw Machine is widely used in the industries of particle board, gypsum board, artificial stone, and plexiglass. It can process all kinds of board density and hardness. It can also automatically adjust the length of the blade and lengthen the manipulator to reduce the operator's effort. Moreover, the saw adopts a double-grasping manipulator and scissors structure for cutting the material. If you want to know more, here is the link of a reputable cnc machine manufacturer, it will help you. zdwoodmachine.com

For those that may not, for various reasons, care to buy and use a CNC  a Shaper Origin might be an alternative, no? I don't have either but I do lust.

The Shaper Origin is more of a 2-d CNC. You could use it to cut something like that out and the carve the edges etc. On a large CNC if you are really good at the modeling software like my son it would probably take him a day or two. For me it would realistically take a week or so ( meaning 40-50 hours) of computer time. The biggest issue is that it would look like it was cut on a CNC and not hand carved. One is a piece of art. The other is  a piece of wood cut with a machine. Worlds apart from the point of art. 
Paul