These past weeks a team has been working on cutting the lumber of our market walls using the CNC for accuracy. After several mock-ups we had made of the walls where we dadoed by hand, we transitioned to using the CNC to ensure accuracy and that all the walls will fit together perfectly.
The process of using the CNC includes lots of file setup, probably the most complicated of the process. That includes drawing all the linework for what’s being dadoed, pre-drilled holes for screws and working in tolerances so that the pieces fit together nicely.
Along with file setup we had to think through the setup on the CNC itself to hold the material down so that it doesn’t shift or move during the cuts. We secured everything down on a spoil board that had been striped on the top so that anything that sits on it is vacuum sealed to the table. Additionally we made a system of bolts along the side and hold down the material from above.
After all the preparation to CNC, we were actually able to start cutting. There were a few hiccups as always, such as changing the path the CNC routing bit was taking to minimize blowout and removing the predrilling of holes in the linework since it wasn’t lining up exactly.
Finally after weeks of non-stop managing the CNC all boards have been cut and assembly of the walls has begun!
