Introduction: CNC WAVE Sushi Board

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Fusion 360 Projects »

I was recently on a trip with my cedar strip canoe and couldn't help but feel inspired by the calm waves as the sun came up. I decided that I wanted to try and re-create those waves using my CNC machine and thought that creating a sushi board with a waved surface would look really cool.

Supplies

  • Computer for design work
    • Blender (used to create wave surface)
    • Fusion 360 (CAD/CAM)
  • CNC Machine (I have OpenBuilds Lead 1010)
  • Wood for Sushi board (I used black walnut)

Step 1: Create the Wave Surface Using Blender

I used the software Blender to simulate and ocean surface. I followed the YouTube tutorial below and updated the parameters until I was happy with the wave surface.

Export the surface as a Wavefront (.obj)

Useful YouTube Tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEspv3L791M

Link to Blender's Ocean Simulation documentation

https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/modeling/modifiers/simulate/ocean.html

Step 2: Import Wave Surface Into Fusion360

Here are the general steps I followed in order to import the wave surface from Blender
  • Insert STL
  • Orient Appropriately
  • Open Mesh Editor
  • Utility > Convert
  • Convert to T-spline
  • Re-scale
  • Split body

Step 3: Create Sushi Board in Fusion360

In order to make the actual Sushi Board, I followed this work process:

  1. sketch out the shape of the board
  2. extrude just the parts of the sketch that I wanted to be wavy
  3. split the extruded body using the wave surface as the splitting tool
  4. extrude the platforms where the sushi sit to a lower level
  5. use the loft tool to connect the platforms to the rest of the board
  6. round the platform edges using the bevel tool

Step 4: Configure Toolpaths

Toolpath work process

  • Pocket - 0.25" end mill

  • Parallel - 0.25" ball nose mill
  • Contour - 0.25 end mill

Step 5: Machine With CNC

Step 6: Sand and Finish Wood

I used butcher block oil to finish the wood since it will be an eating surface.

Step 7: Enjoy!

CNC Contest 2020

Runner Up in the
CNC Contest 2020