Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: F-Engrave - V-Carve Quesiton

« on: March 09, 2013, 09:21:36 AM »

Thanks Tweakie.  I'll play around with the V Bit Diameter setting.  It's currently set at 0.5.  I see your picture shows .15. 

Zig

2

General Mach Discussion / F-Engrave - V-Carve Quesiton

« on: March 08, 2013, 07:23:40 PM »

Hello all. 

I am playing with F-Engrave and am very impressed by it.  I'm getting some really neat stuff out of it.  I'm running it on a Windows 7 64 bit computer and then running the code through Mach3 and it's working fine, but I think I have a setting that is off.  I can't get deep V-Carve action.  I'll attach a couple pictures and see if folks have any suggestions.  What I'm shooting for is a clean V-Carve cut as shown on the F-Engrave download page.  I'm sure it can do it, just not sure what to adjust.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/lazerworks/f-engravesignquestion009.jpg

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/lazerworks/f-engravesignquestion010.jpg

Thanks,
Zig

3

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / A new homebuilt CNC machine - amazed the thing works!

« on: January 16, 2013, 11:10:47 PM »

I've learned a lot so far while building this machine.  I've always tinkered around with wood and mechanical projects but never built something like this.  It has been a learning process to say the least - I look forward to learning more from this one and then building the next one.

Here's a little YouTube clip of this machine in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uU5HLpbRKg&list=UU3RIdlSCWn1w0Quh6zm6M1A&index=1

Zig

4

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Some Lithophanes...

« on: January 10, 2013, 10:03:50 PM »

Just stumbled onto these - beautiful work.

Zig

5

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: 95% Completed DIY CNC Build

« on: January 09, 2013, 03:25:19 PM »

Thanks guys.  It has been fun and challenging working on this project so far.  I actually did get some actual cutting action earlier today.  Sawdust flying, and yes, kinda scary as the machine seemed to be alive.  My bit was too big, the g-code font too small, and my motor speeds were all over the place, but bit did contact wood, and a g-code path was followed, so we're on the right track.  Now the learning really begins on how to make it do what I want it to do.  I'll certainly post more videos as I get some real results out of it.

I've heard others say that computer controlled machines are like an entry drug, you get a little taste and then want more.  I can absolutely see that happening.

Thanks again for all the help on this forum,
Zig

6

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: CNC Build Proceeding - Cheap Couplers...

« on: January 09, 2013, 12:02:02 PM »

Success!  Actual cutting.  My bit is too big and the font/text that I did are too crammed so the actual cutting is more of a blob but it's actually working.  Now the fine tuning begins.  Awesome to see this machine work!

But for the moment, more Tylenol and some soup/rest.  Lots of lousy colds and viruses going around...

Thanks again,
Zig

7

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: CNC Build Proceeding - Cheap Couplers...

« on: January 09, 2013, 11:24:05 AM »

Thanks Tweakie. 

I have a little time here and I'm trying to just make a first test cut.  Scary and exciting at the same time.

Here's what I've done so far and where I'm hanging up.

I typed out, "Hello World" in Deskengrave.  I made the DXF code and opened that up in Lazy Cam.  I've then sent the .tap file to Mach3.  The CNC machine will start doing a pretend cut all moving in the right direction.  Here's where I'm having trouble.  How to I set the depth of cut - Z axis? 

If I touch the tip of the bit to the work surface Mach3 will pull up and the actual "cutting" is happening about an inch above the wood.

Thanks again for all the help,
Getting closer here to actually seeing some cut action...
Zig

8

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: CNC Build Proceeding - Cheap Couplers...

« on: January 09, 2013, 09:56:33 AM »

Tweakie - The machine is mostly built.  A quick YouTube clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGYKe11JUVo&list=UU3RIdlSCWn1w0Quh6zm6M1A&index=1

Zig

9

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / 95% Completed DIY CNC Build

« on: January 09, 2013, 09:54:56 AM »

Most of the machine is completed at this point.  Still need to do some finishing off, wire in some switches and neaten up the whole build.  And now I need to learn how to fly this thing...

A quick YouTube video of the current status.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGYKe11JUVo&list=UU3RIdlSCWn1w0Quh6zm6M1A&index=1

As per usual - I'm always open to suggestions and comments. 

Thanks,
Zig

10

General Mach Discussion / TB6560 Dip Switch Settings - Question

« on: January 07, 2013, 07:50:24 PM »

Just wondering what other users of the TB6560 driver have their dip switch settings set at for a 24v power supply and Nema 23s.

Many thanks,
Zib