This guide outlines the process of programming a “Box Stock” in RhinoCAM software.

What is ‘stock’ and why is it important to program it accurately?

‘Stock’ is simply material that you begin with, which will be shaped through a series subtractive milling operations. In reality, this can be a piece of wood, foam, plastic, etc which has specific physical dimensions and material properties. Programming the shape of this stock accurately is important for a number of reasons:

  • It helps you align the digital CAM environment and the physical CNC machine.
  • It allows you to accurately simulate and visualize cutting operations. It’s always faster and less wasteful to catch errors in a simulation rather than halfway through a CNC job.

programming stock

create Box Stock

Select Box Stock from the Stock drop-down

RhinoCAM allows you to program a variety of stock geometries; the most basic is a ‘Box Stock’. Most common materials come in this form – think plywood, dimensional lumber, foam, etc.

 

 
register material relative to origin

You must tell RhinoCAM where your stock is located relative to the XYZ origin of the CNC machine.

  • In the Box Stock window, select which corner you would like to be aligned with the origin. In our lab, this is typically set to the bottom left corner of the material.
  • Set Corner Coordinates to this origin (Xc=0, Yc=0, Zc=0)

Note:
On the ShopBot CNC mill, the longer horizontal axis (96″) is the X-Axis, the shorter horizontal axis (48″) is the Y-Axis and the vertical axis is the Z-Axis. Refer to the icon in the window which indicates this with the positive direction being from the right side of the table to the left.

 

enter stock dimensions

  • Measure the length and width of the the physical stock you are going to mill with a tape-measure and enter these values.
  • Material orientation is critical. Be sure you don’t mix-up the Length and Width!:
    • Length corresponds to the X-axis
    • Width corresponds to Y-Axis
  • Measure the material Height [thickness] with calipers and enter this value.

    Note:     Its critically important that material thickness is measured precisely with calipers within +-.01″ tolerance. Never rely on ‘nominal dimensions’. 3/4″ plywood is not .75″ and a 2×4 is not 2.00″ x 4.00″.
review the stock in the model

  • Confirm the ‘Stock Visibility’ option is selected at the bottom of the ‘Machining Browser’ window

    Note:     The ‘Stock Visibility’ option must be selected separately in the ‘Simulation’ tab in order for the stock to appear during the simulation. Review the stock dimensions to confirm they are accurate.