Official Luthiers Forum!

Here are a few renderings of a violin that I've been modeling up. This was modeled in Rhino 3.0 and the surfaces are based off profiles from some scanned in plans.

CNC Violins......hmmm....I'm sure that would go over like a lead balloon in some circles...

Top View


Inside of the Top


Trev

_________________
http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

So Trev,

How long does it take you to do that work? And what would left for you to run that on a cnc? I have all of the goods for my machine now and now I just need to stop being afraid and just go and get it running! I want to make a violin for my son and I think that maybe that would be a good project to figure out cnc stuff....or maybe it would too complex

Yours is lookin' good in any regard!

Shane

_________________
Canada

Tops with cycloid curves (Les Pauls, Archtops, Violins) are pretty much the hardest thing to get right in CAD, lutherie-wise.

If you wanted to go for it with a violin, I think there are some models on CNCZone that people have uploaded. Then you get to go straight to experiencing the terrors of toolpathing

_________________
Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Thanks guys, it's fun stuff. I picked this stuff up awhile ago and can't seem to get away from it...I really enjoy it. The only downside is that at this point I'm spending more time in front of the PC than I am actually making stuff..

It's not too hard to run code for a CNC once you've got the model. I've carved solid backs (carved inside and out) and running a toolpath on this is cake once the surfaces are done. I always save a version without f-holes (or pickup pockets, etc.) so that I can get a clean carve surface to write toolpaths for. I would come back in afterwards and cut the f-holes (this is how some production hollowbodies are made). It would literally take about 10 minutes to generate code for this at this point.

Also - I'll cut something like this in 2 ops: First, I carve the insides and mill a couple locating holes. Then, I flip it over, locate on the holes, carve the outside, and then cut the profile. I haven't cut a violin yet, but this is the process I've used for carved acoustic backs.

I did that neck carve tutorial awhile ago...I'd like to do some more Rhino tutorials whenever I get the chance. I've learned a lot from hangin' around here and hope to give a bit more back sometime..!

It's off to the beach for me....! Have a good week.
Trev

_________________
http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

Trev,

Have you done the scroll yet? I have been wanting to incorporate a nice scroll peghead into my dulcimer design and carve them on my CNC. Modeling a very nice "feeling" scroll was a bit intimidating when I started messing with this some years back and I really haven't gotten back to it. I do have a model part that I hand carved a long time ago. I guess I could get it digitized and then create the model from there.

Terry

I modeled this up awhile ago:

_________________
http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

Wow, that scroll looks great. It is exactly what I want to integrate ontp my dulcimer peghead.

Any chance you would share that model?

Wow, that scroll looks great. It is exactly what I want to integrate ontp my dulcimer peghead.

Any chance you would share that model?

Hi Terry, thanks for the compliments. I actually had modeled that neck up for someone else, so I can't really share it.

Maybe I'll do a scroll modeling tutorial..? I don't know how many people would benefit from that though? I don't think the violin crowd intersects with the CNC crowd very much....

_________________
http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

OK, thanks.

Maybe a few hints.... did you model the edge of the scroll part mathematically in 3D and then create surfaces inward. Or maybe a 2D spiral and pull it to 3D. Or, probably something more sensible...

Thanks,

Terry

I think I started from a helix and then manually "pulled the spiral out". I think I also had to break the helix every 180 degrees...or else the curves wouldn't loft (I believe I used the 2 rail surface option). This was the basis for the spiral. The rest of the neck is 2 rail surfaces, network surfaces, etc...more "normal" modeling...!

I hope this helps, I'll look at it again later and let you know if this is really what I did

_________________
http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

OK, Thanks.... All I really need info on is the scroll part.

Terry

Parser I have benefited from your neck tut and I have never made an acoustic guitar. In fact, I am just now building my first to be finished guitar. I have two more that I started a long time ago that I hope to finish now.

Your bitmap background tut will help lots of folks as will your scroll tut!

There are lots of things you can incorporate scrolls into other than violins.

Thanks for all your help.

Mike