Not every project we do is complex nor hard. EnRoute is the perfect software for even the simpler projects too. We are entering a large hot rod show in a few weeks and I needed a few signs to appeal to this specialized crowd. I didn't have to go far for inspiration. Just to my tool box. I grabbed an open end wrench and used it as a model. The vector file only took minutes to produce using the drawing tools.
Once I had the vectors I created the reliefs - all separate until I was satisfied. I first flipped a copy of the files but not the lettering so I could route two back to back files. Here's the screen capture of the piece just before I tool-pathed it. The finished piece would be four feet long so I decided to only use a 3/8" ball nose bit and cut it in one pass using a 90% overlap.
I sent it to our MultiCam cutting at 300" per minute from a 1.5" thick piece of 30 lb Precision Board. It took a little more than an hour on the router - while I was busy with other things. Once it was done I glued up the two halves and left it in the clamps overnight.
Stay tuned...
-dan
