IMO, one of the most important things in a CNC is the controller. Most of the lower end hobby CNC machines use Machx controls because they're inexpensive. For the ornamental type work I like to do a low end control just won't do it (easily).
Attached are a couple pictures of recent things I've done (I'll post some better examples when I find the pics). The programs for both parts are fairly short, 50 or so lines of code. Just a few parameter changes and the whole look of the part can be changed.
The wood part is fluted hemispherical dome cut with a 1/4", 2 flute, ball end mill with a climb cut. The metal part was press formed in an acrylic die made with the same cutter.
To do these parts easily my control needed axis rotation, repeat, scaling, sub-routine and macro capability. Without those options these parts would have taken mega-byte programs that are not modifiable or easy to program, in addition you need a fairy high end CAD/CAM program (expensive). You won't find these features in an older or low end control.
I programmed the parts directly, no CAD/CAM, at the machine using graphical toolpath verification as I was programming to assure I was getting the desired result.
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