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Topics - cephjedi

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LazyCam (Beta) / works in 2.0, goes nuts in 2.02
« on: August 06, 2007, 10:37:34 AM »
Hi Gang!

I'm a total newbie, so apologies if I ask something blatantly ignorant.  :)

I registered lazycam last week and have been trying to make Gcode files for the parts in Joe's 2006 homebrew CNC machine  (see the CNCzone forums for plans and info)

He listed the parts in DWG format, and I've used a couple different programs to convert these to DXF format for LazyCam.   I've tried many different methods because the newest version of lazycam makes a big mess out of the import- as if it's finding tons of miscellaneous entities in the DXF files that aren't visible in the drawing programs.   After fighting with LC 2.02, I decided to try the 2.0 version- and it worked much more smoothly!   

 here's an example part:  The left inside gantry part of Joe Che'2006 DIY router. 

Does anyone have insight as to what LC 2.02 is trying to do that 2.0 isn't?

You guys at Artsoft have really done a great job bringing CNC technology to us hobbyists- Thanks a million for all your efforts.

Cheers, Jim

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...sort of like a 3d Scanner.   An inside out approach to CNC!

 I have several guitar bodies that I'd like to model precisely so I can make a custom pickguards for them, and I was thinking there must be an automated (and more precise than tracing on graph paper) way to do this.   Maybe insert a sensor in the tool chuck and let the machine trace it?   I duno.  I'm very new at this.

There's a sophisticated CNC tool for luthiers called the Plek, which scans the neck of a guitar very precisely so the technician can make optimal adjustments.   Then the Plek does a a fret levelling job in CNC automated fashion.

I was wondering if it's even remotely possible to use a homebrew Mach-controlled machine to "read" a 3d shape. Does anyone have an idea how I could go about this challenge?   Thanks in advance!   

CJ


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Hi Gang!

I long to join the ranks of the mad scientists who have built their own CNC devices, and am now gradually taking the plunge, amassing various parts from the world's largest garage store- ebay.   I received my ebay stepper/controller/ hardware kit yesterday and hooked it up today to a laptop.  A couple more shipments and I'll be heading to home depot for some MDF!   (eventual goal:  carve guitar bodies.  For now, grind out parts for small projects and RC gizmos.)

This is the kit:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230084396133&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT&refitem=230078761180&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

I first installed Kellyware's Kcam and managed to troubleshoot the stepper voltages and amps (and set the parallel port to EPP) and quickly managed to get all three axis' to turn.  (Woohoo!)

Then I installed Mach 3 Mill....referencing the documentation and watching the tutorial videos several times.....

....and I just can't get it to turn the motors.   I've fussed with it for so long my eyes are glazing over.....This program can seemingly do anything, but there's got to be some little setting I'm missing.   Perhaps one of you folks can lend me a hand?

Here's the diagnostics I've got:

-The driver test runs fine.
-The pins on the LPT port are configured properly- 2&3 for X, 4&5 for Y, 6&7 on Z.  It works A-OK in kcam.
- No limit switches (yet)
- The LPT pinouts in the diagnostics page never light
- In fact, the only LED that's lit in diagnostics is under "Output Signals Current State"   "Enable 1" is red.  I think that's the smoking gun, but I don't know how to fix it.
Under config-> outputs, nothing's checked.  If I check off "Enable1" it has no effect.   I think Mach is just not sending anything at all out on the cable.

Can someone give me a little guidance?   Many thanks in advance!   

CephJedi
I


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