Introduction: CNC WAVE Sushi Board
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
- 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:
- sketch out the shape of the board
- extrude just the parts of the sketch that I wanted to be wavy
- split the extruded body using the wave surface as the splitting tool
- extrude the platforms where the sushi sit to a lower level
- use the loft tool to connect the platforms to the rest of the board
- 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.