Messages

1

Finished Plugins for Download / Self-Driving for CNC? Here’s my Paper Tools 1.2 update

« on: November 02, 2023, 09:13:57 AM »

In my last post (https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=47672.new#new), I mentioned the Paper Tools software I’m working on, which uses a video camera, connects to Mach 4 and sees your marks and measurements to control your CNC.

Now here’s a video showing a new user interface, and step-by-step guide to getting started. I’ve been asked about how to install, how to mount a camera, and what kinds of everyday operations you can do like drills, holes, slots, pockets and patterns. These are useful when working with real-world materials that aren’t easy to model in CAD.

https://youtu.be/dCbrlCLzZ4U?si=42fzArcymHcgd2fz


I would really love to help anyone who’s interested in using this software to get up and running, so feel free to download Paper Tools from: http://www.papertools.ai.

Thanks!
Brett

2

Finished Plugins for Download / Paper Tools: a visual system to CNC with Mach 4

« on: August 14, 2023, 12:38:33 PM »

I wrote about this project last April:
https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=47343.0

And now I’m ready to have a few more people try out the software which you can download from [www.papertools.ai](http://www.papertools.ai/)

Here’s a quick video to give you an idea of how with just a piece of paper, you can create holes in your material right where you show the video camera:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPxif78-hsE

You can print out paper tools, or even just write directly on your material. The vision software recognizes your handwriting, navigates your Avid machine to determine the exact position of the visual targets and generates GCode for Slots, Bores, Pockets, Drills. You can also bring your own GCode to work with any CAD model you make.

Some “Paper Tools” I’ve created include a bowtie template, a hole saw kit, and coming soon a lettering cut-out and engraving package. Next up: a full interface to design Paper Tools in Fusion360 and place them directly on your material.

Lemme know what you think!!

3

Finished Plugins for Download / Mach4 Plugin: Try out my visual CNC plugin and give feedback?

« on: April 21, 2023, 11:14:46 AM »

Hi, would you be willing to try out a plugin I wrote for Mach 4? It’s called Paper Tools.

You place a drawing on your work piece and my software generates gcode based on recognized handwritten or printed text and targets

You can see a video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXUucUiLXC0

What you’ll need
You’ll need to attach a webcam to your router facing downward toward the work surface. You need Mach 4. It should take about 15 minutes to get up and running. If you can print out a PDF on a standard piece of paper that’s a bonus, but Paper Tools does handwriting recognition so that’s fine too.

What does it do?
Drill, Bore, Slot, Pocket, and any gcode you upload. Cut on the spots that you show the machine.

What it costs
Free.

Is it reliable?
My repeatability tests get +/- 002". Other than that please try it out and let me know your experience!

Is this from a big company?
Nope, I’m just a guy who wrote some software. You’ll get the kind of support I can give a small number of people early to the game who want to try out something new.

What to expect
This is BETA software, I’m looking for feedback and your help improving the system. Please don’t use this software on expensive materials. You should be an early adopter, lover of technology. Ideally you’re frustrated with how even simple things can be so hard to accomplish with CNC and you’re willing to give Paper Tools a whirl.

Are we close?
I am based near New York City. If you have a shop around here and would like to work together, I’d be happy to come by and get you set up. I might even bring you a free camera to keep.

Thanks so much, I hope I meet a few people who like this approach.

Brett