has anyone had any experience using a CNC machine to cut window openings etc
from 1/8 or 1/4” wood. Also, how does it compare to a laser machine ?
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When my layout was built all the wood items were cut on a CNC machine. All the foam tunnel liners were also cut on a CNC machine to get the shape and curves just right for the tight clearances. The plastic items were laser cut. This included 5 layer building fronts and long viaducts. One of the joys of modeling in S scale. Many items are just not commercially available in 1/64th.
These days, a resin printer makes more sense for many small parts.
A CNC machine won't have any problems with those materials but all the inside corners will have a radius. Easily filed square. A laser can cut square corners. A CNC machine is far better for three dimensional curves. A resin printer can also do three dimensional curves but only with resin.
Pete
A laser can primarily score and cut making it viable for working in two dimensions, the x- and y-axis. The depth and width of scoring can be varied in most cases but not enough for true z-axis work. Z-axis work is achieved through layering of materials.
For work in the z-axis a CNC machine is the better choice, but you are limited to the crispness of inside corners by the diameter of the cutter.
A Glowforge Laser cutter will do either cuts much faster and cleaner than a CNC machine in either wood or acrylic. For 3D effects I use a FormLabs 3 resin laser printer.
However you can do 3D models in layers of 2D cuts as was suggested.
I find one of the main advantages to layered constructed using laser scored and cut acrylic to PolyBak is the the time savings during painting. In the first sample below, the outer of three PolyBak layers used for the windows is painted the base color of the cast concrete color for the building. The outer layer is then pealed and stuck on the painted 2-layer sashes. The main elevation of the building is .125" acrylic and it has an .060" layer on applied to give the detail around and between the windows.
This second sample shows the development of our upcoming Downtown Building #1. Instead of vector scoring the linework, the ashlar block lines are raster engraved to show greater width. Instead of a straight cutout for the window, there is a minor indent at each ashlar block joint so the joint wraps wind opening return. The outer layer of PolyBak of the window insert will be a cast stone color. The inner two layers will be the sash color. There will be half round between each window placed between the pedestal points.
