Messages

5791

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Elephant Problem

« on: May 01, 2011, 04:47:30 AM »

Interestingly this is exactly the same issue I ran into when experimenting with inlay work. The solution I used was to thicken the line of the .dxf image then create one toolpath cutting on the inside of the line and then create the other toolpath cutting on the outside of the line. I used the toolpaths opposite to the way you would because I wanted my parts to fit together without any gap at all.  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,12444.msg125920.html#msg125920

Tweakie.

5792

General Mach Discussion / Re: 500 line test designs??

« on: May 01, 2011, 02:05:43 AM »

Hi Zero Cool,

I think that is a really good suggestion.
I will have a look through some of my stuff to see if I can find anything. Perhaps other members could do the same.

Tweakie.

5793

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Epoxy Concrete CNC Mill Design and Method

« on: April 30, 2011, 06:27:56 AM »

A very ambitious project John. I look forward to seeing your progress on this.

Tweakie.

5794

General Mach Discussion / Re: cnc for milling out a circuit board

« on: April 30, 2011, 01:30:49 AM »

I see your problem now.

The ball bit is really not the best tool, an engraving bit with a small flat on the bottom is what you should be using. Although it would be possible to redo the toolpath with a smaller stepover, the GCode would take forever to complete and would probably still leave some copper where it is not required.

My best suggestion is that you obtain some engraving points similar to these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5x-Carbide-PCB-Engraving-Bits-CNC-Router-Tool-30D-0-2mm-/260776680711?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item3cb7805d07#ht_2420wt_1139 they cost very little and will make a good job.

Tweakie.

5795

General Mach Discussion / Re: Pulse engine noise

« on: April 29, 2011, 04:01:08 AM »

If you have onboard graphics this can cause problems. Some have disabled the onboard graphics in BIOS when they have fitted a PCI type graphics card.

Tweakie.

5796

General Mach Discussion / Re: cnc for milling out a circuit board

« on: April 29, 2011, 03:37:08 AM »

I don't understand the problem.
I usually use the surface of the work as Z=0 so I would edit your GCode to replace the Z0.0000 to be Z-0.007 or something like that.

What is the problem you are having ?

Tweakie.

5797

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is the motor diameter more important than voltage?

« on: April 29, 2011, 03:24:48 AM »

In my opinion that is only a rule of thumb rather than a fact (rare earth magnets made big differences to motor performance in recent years). However, if you consider leverage then a larger diameter armature will produce more torque for a given current (bit like using a longer spanner when tightening a nut) and therefore should be more powerful.

Just my 2 cents.

Tweakie.

5798

General Mach Discussion / Re: STEP MOTORS CONEXTION

« on: April 29, 2011, 02:26:29 AM »

E,

One of the problems that is being seen more and more often now is that older breakout boards / controllers require the full 5 volt TTL logic signals and modern computers / parallel ports output the 3.3 volt TTL standard.
May be an idea to check your parallel port with a multimeter (negative probe to GND [pins 18 to 25] and positive probe to any direction pin then jogging that axis the meter should read approx 5 volts in one direction and approx 0 volts in the other.

Tweakie.

5799

General Mach Discussion / Re: Text in an arc

« on: April 28, 2011, 11:45:46 AM »

Try this http://www.ncplot.com/stickfont/stickfont.htm

Tweakie.

5800

General Mach Discussion / Re: halfmoon instead of circle

« on: April 28, 2011, 08:58:10 AM »

Just looking at your photo's again - that LPT cable looks very small diameter so must be very small wires, try another cable and make sure that the shield / 25 way connector outer metal part does not connect to your machine ground. (this cable screen is connected to earth at the PC end)

Tweakie.