Messages

1

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Lazy Cam vs D2NC

« on: December 29, 2008, 05:54:15 PM »

Thanks for everyone looking at the file and thoughts, when I get back to work on the 5th.  I will try and remember to run this file through Microvellum.  The last time I tried a file with such geometry all I had to do was provide a break where I wanted to start.  I would on this have to provide a path to the outer offsets, then to run it as a single enity I would have to do a polyline edit/join.  Where this is all leading is the adaption of a long arm quilting machine to cnc.  the z axis is not needed at all and as such you cannot lift the tool and start a new path, it has to be one,  this is being done as they are on the market, some are using G code and others are using the Gerber file format.  I can generate Gerber files at work as well but I don't know of a controller that I can get my hands on the will run that code.

2

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Lazy Cam vs D2NC

« on: December 28, 2008, 06:33:18 PM »

Here is the dxf that I have been working with.   The diagonal line is to position the machine in the proper field with stops at each end, then an index move to the starting position.  Then it works the internal tool path, coming out to the next offset tool path by following the same path it took to the internal line, when this line has been followed it again moves to the last outer offset tool path via the path it took to get there.  Never once raising the tool or making an indexing move after the initial locating move.  I have tried to make this work with Lazy Cam but I get numerous indexing moves.  I must be missing something somewhere.

3

LazyCam (Beta) / Lazy Cam vs D2NC

« on: December 28, 2008, 05:20:18 PM »

I have been trying to get good code out of Lazy Cam I it sure is not easy.  I have a dxf file that has many elements, these elements are all to be cut as one.  I did a polyline edit and joined all the elements and that was the wrong move Lazy Cam didn't not like that.  So I went back to the original and processed it and ended up with about 15 index moves, that just plain will not work at all.  I set the tool file not to raise the tool, or at least I thought that I did.   I took this same file and ran it through D2NC and guess what?   It is up and running.  Somehow I think that Lazy Cam is trying to do too much or something.  I found that D2NC was very easy to work with and I had the code I wanted.   What am I missing?   Is Lazy Cam useable at all?

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LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Lazy Cam dfx issue

« on: December 14, 2008, 08:27:37 AM »

Thanks your you assistance Chip,  I reinstalled Mach and LCam and I am importing dfx files now, so well it does happen.  Now lets see what good things can be accomplished today.  thanks again

5

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Lazy Cam dfx issue

« on: December 14, 2008, 12:17:57 AM »

OK Chip I will try R14, and no the file you sent me would not load

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LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Lazy Cam dfx issue

« on: December 14, 2008, 12:02:17 AM »

Thanks for the file Chip,  I opened it in A Cad 2007 and saved it as an R12 dfx, then I tried to load it into LCam and it gave me the no file loaded,,, again.

7

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Lazy Cam dfx issue

« on: December 13, 2008, 11:57:36 PM »

Here is the file that I ran at work yesterday, worked like a champ,  start in upper left corner and ran counter cloclwise.  just what I wanted it to do.

8

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Lazy Cam dfx issue

« on: December 13, 2008, 11:17:58 PM »

Just now I created a simple box, rec @8,8 saved it as an R12 dfx, tried to load it into LCam,  no go.  So I exploded it into segments, still no go.  Well hmmm  lets purge,  only had layout blocks, purged anyway.  Only one layer on a new file so there shouldn't be any hidden thingys.  I saved a R12 as everything works with R12.  What is up with this?  I must admit that I am more used to using the dwg file as Microvellum is integrated with ACad and reads this file real time.  What am I doing wrong?

9

LazyCam (Beta) / Lazy Cam dfx issue

« on: December 13, 2008, 11:05:13 PM »

I have some geometry that I created at work, the dfx file was created with A Cad and I ran it through Microvellum, created code for the Biesse rover 24 and it ran just like I wanted.  Set the start point and ran the entire program in one pass, with out any index moves.  This is just what I wanted, simple easy program arcs and tangents connecting in the middle.   So here I am trying to use the same geometry with Lazy Cam and I get all these indexing moves.  Oh and by the way with Microvellunm I had joined all the segments with a polyline edit making it one enity.  Lazy Cam did not recognize the polyline enity at all so I exploded it into arc and tangests and now have a chopped up program that is not what I want at all.  I am thinking of using the Microvellum out put, but I will have to edit out all the lines that have been inserted by the post processor.  What am I doing wrong with Lazy Cam?  Why can I not take several segments and join them to eliminate indexing moves?  I don't expect Lazy Cam to work like a $70,000 CAM package but I would think that it could do this.   Any suggestions?

Thanks

10

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: New people welcome !! Come in here and introduce your self!

« on: December 13, 2008, 02:36:12 PM »

The name here is Brian,  Ive been creating geometry and cutting code at work for about 10 years and am still learning new things.  At work we have both CNC routers and an Eastman cutter (CNC fabric and vinyl cutter).  These machines are worlds apart as far and getting from the geometry to the finished part.
What I am working on as a home project is adding CNC to our long arm quilting machine.  The mechanical aspects are not causing many issues as I worked as a heavy equipment mechanic for 20years.  Where I am having issues is with getting wat works at work to work at home. (does that make any sense)?  With a quilter there will be only X and Y moves, no Z axis and no spindle to worry with as this machine is stitch regulated and stops when movement stops.  I have not been working with Mach and Lazy Cam but for just a few evenings and where I am running into issues is that when I creat a pattern it may be a single block that is 8"x8" or a long string that is 12"x120".
Enough for now I don't want to abuse my first post.

Brian