Machsupport Forum

General CNC Chat => Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) => Topic started by: Kent on October 07, 2008, 12:59:25 AM

Title: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 07, 2008, 12:59:25 AM
Got an Email that said I would be deleted if I don't post so here you go a post ...  I would hate to be deleted :)

Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 07, 2008, 01:05:41 AM
Very nice Litho Kent!!!!!!!! What program did you use to generate the code?

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 07, 2008, 01:19:51 AM
Thanks Brett.
I used Vectric PVC and VCP I then use Mach3 to control my  Joes2006  http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32790  Now that you got me to look I guess I have been playing for 18 months or so. Little slow on the build . But as I knew absolutely nothing about CNC 2 years ago, I have been trying to learn how to use it. I do need to spend more time learning the Mach3 software. One reason I don't want to be deleted :) I am hooked on CNC and Lithos. I have lots to learn and hope to build a few more CNC 's So it would definitely be a bonus to learn mach3 better :) 
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 07, 2008, 01:24:18 AM
Glad you have been looking Kent and again, very nice Litho. 

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 07, 2008, 05:44:08 AM
Hi Kent,

Brilliant tiger - Could you possibly share the GCode for this so that I could cut one ?.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Sam on October 07, 2008, 04:36:08 PM
They should delete you anyways.... for not posting those pics sooner!!! Good job.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 07, 2008, 04:53:42 PM
Sam, Sam, Sam.  ;D

You do have a good point though. LOL

Kent,  I have a good frien that use to be an Artcam reseller and still does lots of work with them.  He is crazy good with Artcam and if I'm not mistaken, he worked pretty close with some of the litho pioneers.

I have attached a Picture of one he made for me.

Brett

Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: budman68 on October 07, 2008, 05:06:03 PM
Some really beautiful work here, thanks so much for sharing -  :)

Dave
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 07, 2008, 06:40:30 PM
LMAO  thanks Sam  needed a good laugh  here is a link ( easier then finding the pixs)  and one more picture hopefully makes up for lack of posting before this :)

Thanks everyone  else  and Brett That is a very nice litho  thanks for sharing 

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=500805&postcount=181

Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 07, 2008, 07:04:14 PM
No doubt Kent, I crown Sam with the CROWN OF GIGGLE BOX.  ;D  He is funny. Some days he just come in a kicks my giggle box right over. LOL

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Sam on October 07, 2008, 10:13:39 PM
Everybody needs a chuckle now and again. Glad to be of service. Ain't nothin' in life free though. That will be $1.57 please.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 08, 2008, 07:08:39 AM
I'll gladley pay you Tuesday for a good laugh today.  ;D

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 10, 2008, 03:10:31 AM
A big thanks to Kent for a copy of his code. Such a wonderful white tiger.
I reduced the image to 1/2 size but even then it took over 8 hours to complete the 342,000 lines of code.
I have included images of the finished lithophane, the half way stage (after 4 hours) and how I amused myself in between doing other things on what will probably be one of our last summer days this year here in the UK.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 10, 2008, 06:56:59 AM
As usual, very good Tweakie.

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: budman68 on October 10, 2008, 10:41:06 AM
Indeed, and a good choice for a nice "crisp" refreshment as well -  ;)

Dave
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 10, 2008, 03:53:36 PM
Looks Good Tweak, and your welcome.

by the way the 10 inch version  only took 3 hours  give or take 15 minutes ...
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 11, 2008, 09:09:15 AM
Hi Kent,

I think you said that you used 'Corian' which is perhaps not so prone to melting as the 'Plexiglas' that I used so I had to reduce the feed rates quite a lot. Not sure if I can buy Corian here in the UK but it seems a good material to use for all sorts of jobs.

Once again, many thanks for the code.

btw. If you post any more Lithophanes I will be on the scrounge for the code you know.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Sam on October 11, 2008, 01:57:17 PM
A source of corian might be a place that makes Kitchen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vance_Miller) or bathroom counter tops. You could prolly get it without much effort there. Corian is also great for making 3D stuff too. Check out Scotts post here. http://vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=821. I would love to get some nice thick slabs of it myself. I bet you could make some nice turnings with it. The litho's  look awesome, by the way.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 12, 2008, 10:28:43 AM
Sam gave good advise on where to find it . They also use it for shower / bath walls this will only be .25 thick  :)
I have been buying .25 off of eBay . I have a good stock of .5 inch I befriended a guy who works in counter top business,
so I get some cut outs and other stuff they don't want :) I make him some templates,signs or what ever else he likes ...


I got a piece of white extruded acrylic, I am going to give it ago as the corian is expensive and hard to get . The corian is real nice doesn't scratch easily,
I am afraid the acrylic will .... you can have reweld problems with corian if spindle to high and feed to slow ...

Have a good day   Kent
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 12, 2008, 12:19:24 PM
Thanks Sam
Thanks Kent

I am going to start looking for it.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 20, 2008, 11:35:11 AM
Heres the newest litho  ..... 2nd pic for ref  tiger 10x10
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 20, 2008, 11:41:54 AM
Another good job. Way to go Kent.

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Sam on October 20, 2008, 04:55:40 PM
Nicely done.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 20, 2008, 06:00:38 PM
Thanks Brett and Sam .
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 22, 2008, 11:36:58 AM
Again, brilliant work Kent.

Not too sure about the repair to the BBQ lid though.


Tweakie.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 22, 2008, 01:19:57 PM
LOL  you must be taking over Sams place...  Not a repair, The temp probe was in the way. I
couldn't rotisorie/smoke my turkey so I adapted the probe..  you mean you don't like the generous use of aluminum foil   ::)

Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Glenn on October 22, 2008, 02:14:13 PM
Kent,

  Beautiful work!  But you can't slip anything past Tweakies eye! ;D

   Keep up the great work!
  Glenn
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Sam on October 22, 2008, 02:28:36 PM
Naaa, I'm not threatened. I seen the temp mod, but I knew exactly what it was for. What really stood out to me was the reflection in the tigers eyes. You can clearly see the glass observation windows. Looks like the San Diego zoo. Picture was taken around 2:30pm. Mid April. Light breeze from the north-west.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 22, 2008, 05:06:14 PM
;D roiling on the floor laughing.

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: RICH on October 22, 2008, 10:51:02 PM
Kent,
Thats some nice work. By all means post as you fiinish them.
RICH
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 22, 2008, 10:59:46 PM
Sam you are too much... Thanks again for the good laugh.

thanks Rich Brett and Glen for your kind words and support .
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 23, 2008, 03:22:31 AM
When it comes to 'Eagle Eyes', Sam is the boss.

Yes please Kent, post the pics as you finish them.


Tweakie.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 23, 2008, 12:50:13 PM
I am just glad eagle eyes didn't point out the  Y -axis missed steps in my daughters litho ...
I am sure he would of had to explain how that happened  :-X  ::)
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 26, 2008, 11:04:24 PM
So as not to offend Tweakie with my totally time honored, family tradition of BBQ repair with high grade aluminum foil ...
I replace background with bubbles ....  really wish someone would wash the widows around here ::)
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 27, 2008, 06:36:38 AM
Another nice one Kent. I think you must be the lithophane master. Keep it up.


Tweakie.


nb. Bubbles are not bad either.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 27, 2008, 07:23:54 AM
That looks good too Kent.

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: fixittt on October 29, 2008, 03:25:36 PM
I was 1/4 of the way thru my second pass on a litho I was doing of my grandparents when I had a bearing seize in my spindle.  man was I hear broken.  It was looking really good too! :(
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: budman68 on October 29, 2008, 04:56:29 PM
 :-[  that was looking great.

I just love the detail on these -

Dave
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Glenn on October 29, 2008, 06:36:56 PM
Hey Fixittt,
  I don't know what the finished product should look like, but from my perspective, I'd say you can still use what is already cut!
   Looks good!
    Glenn :)

  How much $ for the new spindle?
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: fixittt on October 29, 2008, 07:41:52 PM
notice that in the females face there is a line,  left side is lighter because it is deeper. 

it cost me $35 to order 10 her bearings.  not to bad, just bad timing.   I used artcam to make the relief.  My desktop cnc machine has a wolfgang engineering spindle  and I used a 1/16th ballnose endmill.  Smallest I had that would cut this material as most of what I do is wax.

Here is one I did a while back in purple wax.  The 15 degree .005 in tip cutters I use for wax I dont think will cut the white plastic.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 29, 2008, 07:49:19 PM
Both look nice fixittt.  I hate your bearing went out. How long did it take to machine them?

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: RICH on October 29, 2008, 10:38:52 PM
They are all great and it's nice having experienced resources should i ever want to try it out.
RICH
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 29, 2008, 11:46:41 PM
I hate when the machine hic-ups when doing a litho...  I have lost a few to z axis problems

Then I do something like drop one    :'(   I dropped my crucifix ...  So I cut another out of Arctic white , first was bone .

I did super clue the first  here's a pic of them side x side.. ... used the eagle to hide BBQ fix  :P
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 30, 2008, 04:32:54 AM
Another nice one Kent.

Best regards,

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: fixittt on October 30, 2008, 08:50:46 AM
I have about 2 hours worth of machine time in each.   
I was wondering, what cutters do you guys use to do these?  I am still new to this and am looking for smaller size but good detail.  Any tips? Tricks ect?
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 30, 2008, 09:11:39 AM
The cutter I used to make the copy of Kent's wonderful white tiger is this one. It is solid carbide, single flute, reground ballnose shape, 3mm diameter. Not the smallest I have but it's a tough one.


Tweakie.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on October 30, 2008, 09:15:52 AM
I'm not sure of the cutters my friend uses. I'll ask him. I know drastic reductions in machineing time can be had if you can stand to lower the res.

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on October 30, 2008, 09:49:17 AM
I use 30 degree V bit  both .25 and .5 inch  I tell the software that they are 0.03 ballnose .Here is link to picture the other 2 bits are v90's
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=353705&postcount=140
I am able to make one pass .2-.23 deep with these bits ( BSimage from vectric site came up with one pass cutting with V bit)
I use these bits when ever I need high resolution. the portrait of my daughter was done with  .125 Ball nose .


Tweakie ( not my fence , I rent . and not going back to bubbles  ;D  lol  thanks for the laugh )
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 31, 2008, 03:15:39 AM
Hi Kent,

I deleted the bit about the fence because I thought that otherwise I would not be able to post anything again, unless I used bubbles.

Best regards,

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: fixittt on November 04, 2008, 04:10:17 PM
just got done with this one,  wish I had a smaller cutter I used the 1/16th ballnose endmill again.  Will work for a gift for my grandparents anniversary
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on November 04, 2008, 07:44:05 PM
Good Job. That will make a nice gift.

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 05, 2008, 03:07:56 AM
Brilliant work. I think they will be really pleased with that.


Tweakie.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on November 08, 2008, 06:13:35 PM
Very Nice fixit,  I found this picture begging to be a litho ..
after I took the picture of the litho I named the Guy Tweakie....
See how he's trying to fix my BBQ    ;D
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Sam on November 08, 2008, 09:12:58 PM
When you said it was a time honored family tradition, you weren't kidding, were you! It goes waaaaaay back!
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Chaoticone on November 08, 2008, 09:20:22 PM
 ;D A tradition well worth passing on IMO.

Brett
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on November 09, 2008, 03:14:30 AM


Another great one Kent. ;D


Tweakie.


(I wish I was that skinny).

Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on November 09, 2008, 10:08:37 AM
Quote
(I wish I was that skinny).
I am  ...  Just don't have four feet :)


thanks guys
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: fixittt on November 09, 2008, 10:19:21 AM
wow that is mind blowing!!!!!!  VERY NICE!
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on November 09, 2008, 11:02:58 AM
Thanks Fixittt ,  what is really cool is 1.5 hours into the job the tip of my .25 V 30 bit broke ( they are needle sharp,maybe sharper even) 
It broke maybe .02 off the tip, definitely noticeable in the carving.  I stopped the work re zeroed my Z axis, backed up 20k lines of code in Mach3.
started the code again. I can not even tell it happened... Thanks to MACH3 ....
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: fixittt on November 09, 2008, 11:05:45 AM
i would be veru interested in any steps you take to clean up an image and get it ready for litho work.....
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on November 09, 2008, 11:29:55 AM
You caught me... This photo was real small and I should of photochopped it to get little clearer. I only masked
what I didn't want to carve. Then used Photocave to fine tune the contrast and make the code. imported in to Vcarve
created the cutout vectors.

I normally will try sharpen the image if needed, I have also used the blur option. I will also subdue any hots spots ( light glare)
I wish I could give you better answer, I just go by how it looks to me and how it looks when ran through the PVC software ..
I wish I was better versed in the use of photoshop. Hopefully this dog is not to old to learn  ::)

I have Aspire software, So maybe in the future I will learn how to get it to do my lithos,but so far I am more then happy with the PVC program.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: fixittt on November 09, 2008, 11:38:10 AM
caught you hell! Its pretty friggen kick a$$ if you ask me.   The reason I asked is that I use artcam, and the picture have to be really good from the start to get any descent result.  You have the experience, I have the will to learn.  Unfortunately I do not have the PVC software.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on November 09, 2008, 12:20:46 PM
Quote
caught you hell! Its pretty friggen kick a$$ if you ask me.
LOL   thanks, But I really do have to give credit to the Vectric Photocarve software,
 and the information on how to cut from the fine folks at the vectric forum.

you really should look into the PVC software quite reasonably priced,
If you plan on doing lots of lithos it is worth every penny ...
Title: Logan litho
Post by: Kent on December 05, 2008, 10:46:06 PM
Here is Logan,  7 in tal x 5.  something ...  ::)
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on December 06, 2008, 02:50:47 AM
Brilliant.

Tweakie.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: RICH on December 06, 2008, 08:52:23 AM
Kent,
Sent you a personal message.
RICH
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on December 06, 2008, 04:51:20 PM
Thanks Tweakie...

Rich sent PM

Here is Logan twice,  the first and a second cut in Bone .  I removed the extra material between his ears this time..
apparently  I had nothing between my ears when I photochopped the first time    ::)
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on December 06, 2008, 09:06:31 PM
Here is an Eagle head I cut .  10.5x10.5 inches  I think it will look better as sun catcher
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on December 07, 2008, 04:18:05 AM
Hi Kent,

I think the bone for Logan is just perfect. If he doesn't like it he can chew it !.


Regards, Tweakie.
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Kent on December 18, 2008, 07:07:33 PM
Here is crucific with frame
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Sam on December 18, 2008, 07:27:39 PM
Nice idea on the frame. Looks superb!
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Glenn on December 18, 2008, 10:02:23 PM
Great!! :)

  The frame fits spot on!
 Keep up the great ideas. Glenn
Title: Re: Lithopane
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on December 19, 2008, 02:59:32 AM
That is truly brilliant my friend.

Regards, Tweakie.