How to cut a deep project without slicing

[pbensick]

I have an AR Pro V5 with a 24" x 48" bed and I'm attempting to do the biggest project I've ever done.  I'm trying to create a crest that's 46" x 46" x 3.75" deep.  I have it mapped out in Aspire to cut the project in 2 - 24" x 48" pieces.  I just got done gluing 5 - 24" x 48" x .75" pieces of poplar together, but when I layed the slab on the machine is when it first occurred to me that I'm going to have a problem.  I can now see that even with a long bit there is going to be no way to touch off from the material to begin carving and if I use a shorter bit, then there will be no way to carve deep enough without the spindle damaging the piece.  Please tell me that someone knows a work-around that will allow me to carve this piece without having to scrap the slab I just glued up for this project?  Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Perry

[aluomala]

You might have to create a "trench" around your crest, so that the spindle doesn't hit the remaining scrap wood. Might be tricky to do on CNC, since you might not have enough clearance to get even a short bit in to start the process, and then add a longer bit, etc.

It might be less than optimal, but maybe trace out the outside edges of your crest (create a vector, and throw a v-bit in and do a shallow outline so you know where your crest will be), and then drill holes using a large Forstener-style bit to clean out the "trench" enough to get a bit to do the work. You will likely need longer bit(s), or an extension adapter. Amana sells various shank-sizes.

Allan