Messages

3701

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Easy text label g-code?

« on: June 12, 2013, 03:20:05 AM »

Perhaps take a look a F-Engrave (it's free) http://home.comcast.net/~sskroch/Fengrave/fengrave.html

Like all software there is a learning curve but you should be up and running in no time. F-Engrave will create a separate GCode file for each different label which then has to be loaded into Mach3 (one at a time  ) but it is all pretty simple and easy to do.

Tweakie.

3702

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: I'm in Hog Heaven

« on: June 12, 2013, 02:34:42 AM »

Excellent ! 

Tweakie.

3703

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

« on: June 12, 2013, 02:30:27 AM »

Hi Tim,

Welcome to the forum.

Best if you post your question as a new topic in the general section (eg. How do I get more speed ?) this will attract more answers to help resolve your problem.

Fitting a Smooth Stepper (or other external motion controller) is pretty essential if you are using a laptop but it may not automatically give you more speed - there are many factors that need to be taken into account here.
 
Just for example; I get a 100% reliable axis speed of 4500mm/min using the parallel port but because of the improved pulse train and blended feed-rate the 100% reliable speed drops to 4000mm/min when using my Smooth Stepper.

(The Smooth Stepper replaces the PC'c parallel port and takes it's input from the PC via USB or Ethernet (depending on model) and then provides it's output as two separate parallel ports).

Tweakie.

3704

Tangent Corner / Re: Pyrography.

« on: June 11, 2013, 12:07:49 PM »

Hi Brett,

Yes, Zoli is using a heated wire in contact with the work surface similar to the attached picture.
The wire temperature is a constant, it is only the axis speed that is varied.

Tweakie.

3705

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sherline 4 Axis Mill (For Laser Welding)

« on: June 11, 2013, 11:35:01 AM »

Sorry, my fault, I did not explain properly.

Mach3 operates from an 'LPT parallel port' or an 'external motion controller' (using Ethernet or USB) or an 'internal to PC' motion controller. As far as I am aware there is no COM serial port option.

Tweakie.

3706

Tangent Corner / Re: Pyrography.

« on: June 11, 2013, 11:24:47 AM »

Hi Brett,

Here are a couple of the videos :-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usgsfCJf-DA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfvvavbut8k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRxJUVVWbj8&feature=player_embedded

Tweakie.

3707

General Mach Discussion / Re: (manual)auto tool change + auto zero z setup

« on: June 11, 2013, 11:13:42 AM »

Hi Tom,

The various screen sets are here http://www.machsupport.com/screens.php

Tweakie.

3708

General Mach Discussion / Re: Sherline 4 Axis Mill (For Laser Welding)

« on: June 11, 2013, 11:10:07 AM »

I don't think I've defined my address correctly for the serial port. Its COM7, but I can't seem to find the hex address to input it...

Not sure I fully understand exactly what you are doing.
The hex address relates to an LPT (parallel port) not a serial port so it is unlikely to be COM7.

Tweakie.

3709

Tangent Corner / Re: Pyrography.

« on: June 11, 2013, 08:18:20 AM »

Thanks Craig.  

Zoli tells me that his software still needs a lot of improvement but I am certain he will get there.

He now has a nice CNC pyrography set-up and is making excellent progress with his work. This thread relates http://hobbycncart.com/forum/46-234-1 so it may be worth checking back there, from time to time (for future software updates), as more is learnt about the process.

I did convert a G-ray generated tool-path for use with my laser, mainly as a 'proof of concept'. The initial test results were not outstanding (lots more practice on my part required) but I think it shows the possibilities of using variable feed-rate. (I adjusted my laser power output a couple of times during the run which perhaps spoiled the result).

(For those looking for a scientific explanation - Newton described the ‘time-lag’ between action and re-action when formulating his third law of motion. This law does not actually apply to the laser beam itself but it does apply to the effect caused by the beam and I like to think of it as ‘latency’.
Wood, like all materials, has ‘latency’ so slowly creating a heat spot on the surface of a piece of wood produces a greater shade of burn than quickly creating exactly the same calorific value of heat spot – likewise, the speed at which a heat source is moved over the surface of a piece of wood will determine the shade of burn).

Tweakie.

3710

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

« on: June 11, 2013, 01:42:45 AM »

Hi William,

Welcome to the forum.

Just post you problem as a new topic in the General section. It would help if you could give as many details as possible regarding your setup (motors driver type, etc. etc.).

Tweakie.