Messages

5741

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Laser Lenses.

« on: March 04, 2012, 04:05:26 AM »

Many of the focus lenses used with CO2 and other lasers are of the single element Plano-convex type. As there have been some discussions recently, in various forums, regarding the orientation of these lenses I would like to clarify the situation.

Whilst this type of lens will operate in either direction the focal point will not be as sharply defined unless the convex surface is placed towards the photon source and I have tried to illustrate this point in the following photos. (Please ignore the backscatter from the test lenses as they do not have the customary anti-reflection coatings).

Basically, the tighter the focal point the greater the concentration of photons the greater the power and thus the greater the efficiency.

Tweakie.

5742

General Mach Discussion / Re: mach3 and monstar 6040

« on: March 03, 2012, 07:30:55 AM »

Perhaps need a few more details here Lindsay. What exactly is a Monstar 6040 ??

Tweakie.

5743

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: looking for entry level Gcode tutorial

« on: March 02, 2012, 10:48:45 AM »

Hi Fred,

There is lots of useful information on Bob Warfield's site http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCNCGCodeCourse.htm

A Google search for GCode tutorials should also bring a good return.

Tweakie.

5744

FAQs / Re: Mach 3 set up for Limit and Home switches

« on: March 02, 2012, 10:37:03 AM »

Reply to PM sent.

Tweakie.

5745

Share Your GCode / Re: Chucks Deer V carve engraving

« on: March 02, 2012, 04:14:06 AM »

Excellent work IBB 

Tweakie.

5746

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Total lines in the G Code for each file ??

« on: March 01, 2012, 02:20:34 AM »

My apologies UH - I did not read your question properly 

Tweakie.

5747

General Mach Discussion / Re: Confused about software

« on: February 29, 2012, 12:36:23 PM »

Thanks. 

Tweakie.

5748

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Total lines in the G Code for each file ??

« on: February 29, 2012, 12:03:14 PM »

Hi UH,

If you double click on the program window it will append line numbers to the GCode lines and you can just scroll to the bottom line to read the total.

Tweakie.

5749

General Mach Discussion / Re: Confused about software

« on: February 29, 2012, 11:58:47 AM »

Hi Krugshouse,

It took a long while saving but I finally managed to buy Vectric VCarvePro http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectric/vcp/vcp_index.htm There is a demo version available for download plus many samples that you can practice machining.
This will do all the things you mention plus a lot more, it is quick and easy to learn and pretty simple to use but unfortunately it comes at a price.

Tweakie.

5750

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: CNC machine i been working on...........

« on: February 29, 2012, 04:22:40 AM »

Hi CNCexplorer,

Excellent job you have done and it looks like you are well on your way to making a very useful machine. As I am sure you have already found "everything is a compromise" and usually with tight financial restraints.
The gantry slide system you have used is extremely difficult to set-up so that it is fully true and parallel but others, before you, have succeeded with this design and achieved excellent results. Should It prove troublesome and assuming finances will allow, you could perhaps consider fully supported linear rails (similar to attached pic) as these may, I think, be far easier to set-up.

Tweakie.