Messages

4301

General Mach Discussion / Re: New years resolution

« on: January 02, 2013, 02:39:03 AM »

Hey Hey.....for each time Hood asks for an xml file I put a penny in the jar towards his retirement. For each time one is not posted or it's asked where to find it i remove a penny. So far he will need to work till year 3013.

Nice one Rich 

Tweakie.

4302

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Constructing a Low Profile Tool Height Setter.

« on: January 01, 2013, 04:57:52 AM »

Hi Guys,

Although it was my original intention to make this an ‘open source’ project for anyone to construct, commercial interest was shown. They took their time deciding but following a reasonable offer I have now sold the design.

Tweakie.

4303

General Mach Discussion / Re: Hi. Need help with x axis losing position.

« on: January 01, 2013, 04:53:13 AM »

My curiosity prompts me to ask .. Why?

Some of the unscrupulous CNC controller suppliers are shipping their product together with a Pirate Mach3 license.

It is not, in my opinion, unreasonable for Artsoft to incorporate measures within Mach3 to protect their investment against such Piracy - thus the problems giacc is experiencing whilst using a Pirate license.

Tweakie.

4304

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Halftoner from Jason Dorie

« on: January 01, 2013, 02:26:52 AM »

Nice work Dave, she will be pleased with that. 

(This halftone technique looks perfect at a distance then as you get closer and closer it gets harder to believe that there is actually a picture there at all.
The software is just brilliant for creating display / exhibition work and the results certainly get some attention from the visitors. 10 out of 10 to Jason).

Tweakie.

4305

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach3 setup problems

« on: January 01, 2013, 02:02:50 AM »

Hi Dean,

Check that you have the Y axis motor wired correctly. All motors should lock when power is applied.

Download and run Parmon http://www.geekhideout.com/parmon.shtml this will enable you to test that your LPT parallel port is enabled and working OK.

Tweakie.

4306

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: December 31, 2012, 12:38:04 PM »

Hi Guys,

I don’t think there is any problem with resolving the detail as the laser beam can be focussed to a spot size almost similar to the point of an engraving bit.

The main issue appears to be that I am unable to get a smooth surface finish. In itself this is relatively unimportant as far as light transmission is concerned but it can trap some of the residual powder particles (filler creating the opal appearance) and when it does this creates an unwanted dark spike. I should say that I am not yet 100% certain that this is the cause of the dark spikes but it is looking more than likely.

I dusted some black toner onto a background area in the first Litho (this should be flat as it is all the same pixel value) so you can see a better close-up picture of the surface finish I was obtaining. This has improved slightly since changing the laser modulation method but it still looks a bit like the surface of an orange. 

There is just so much to learn.

Tweakie.

4307

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: December 31, 2012, 08:20:16 AM »

Hi Dan,

The previous Litho was produced a while back but this one was made this morning. One big advantage is that they only take a fraction of the time to make (some 15 to 20 minutes for this one, which is 100mm wide) but the secret, if there is one, is to set the laser power so it does no cut right through the acrylic. 

I don’t think laser produced Litho’s will ever get up to the quality that can be produced by spindle engraving but who knows ?

Tweakie.

4308

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: December 31, 2012, 04:05:02 AM »

Can Llithophanes be produced with a laser ??

The answer is definitely “yes” but not, I suspect, with the same degree of quality as produced by spindle machining.

I had to give it a try and this was my first attempt. It is not that good but I am sure the results could be improved once I have discovered the reason for the unwanted background ‘noise’ which is spoiling the effect.

Has anyone else here tried creating Lithophanes using a laser ??

Tweakie.

4309

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: My latest longer term project

« on: December 30, 2012, 05:52:21 AM »

Nice work Chris 

I love steam engines.

Tweakie.

4310

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: The Laser Project.

« on: December 29, 2012, 06:15:35 AM »

Excellent work John, I am pleased to hear that you have your new electronics, for the laser power control, all up and running – there will be no stopping you now. 

(For others following this thread who may be interested in using diode lasers with Mach3 there are some more pictures and discussion on the techniques, hardware, development and progress in this thread http://hobbycncart.com/forum/63-151-8 )

Tweakie.