Messages

5901

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Text workflow advice for instructor

« on: April 10, 2012, 03:17:09 AM »

Hi bradallen,

Another, relatively new, free, software you may wish to consider is F-Engrave http://home.comcast.net/~sskroch/Fengrave/fengrave.html
This can import any / all of the Windows TTF fonts and is excellent, not just for engraving and V-Carving but also profile cutting etc.
 
Tweakie.

5902

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bad cuts

« on: April 08, 2012, 10:39:30 AM »

Hi Dminnery,

Thinking more about this.....

As the Romaxx is a pretty robust machine and 0.1" step-over is not an unrealistic figure it may be worth checking your machine for tightness of all parts and perhaps also the front bearings of the Bosch Colt.

Tweakie.

5903

General Mach Discussion / Re: Bad cuts

« on: April 08, 2012, 03:46:35 AM »

Hi Dminnery,

My fist action would be to reduce the step-over size associated with the selected tool in the VCarve tool table and see if that improved the situation (obviously you would need to create a new tool-path at the new settings).

Just a thought.

Tweakie.

5904

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lazy Cam and this cnc

« on: April 07, 2012, 08:16:28 AM »

Hi Mads,

There are quite a few free PCB routing programs about and this may be of interest to you http://www.pcbgcode.org/

Tweakie.

5905

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lazy Cam and this cnc

« on: April 06, 2012, 11:19:47 AM »

Hi Mads,

The machine supplier says it runs from GCode and LazyCam outputs GCode so there should be no problem using this machine with Mach3 for routing PCB's.

Tweakie.

5906

General Mach Discussion / Re: Strange shift in Z-axis during machining

« on: April 05, 2012, 08:18:17 AM »

Hi Chet,

Just a thought, but ambient temperature plays it's part in determining the maximum speed at which rapids can achieve without loss of steps.

I live in the south east of England and we never really get cold weather here (unlike Hood in Scotland   ) but I have just started using aircraft oil (Arctic grade) as a lubricant and this has made a tremendous difference to my router's reliable rapid speeds.

Tweakie.

5907

General Mach Discussion / Re: File loaded from Cut3D, now what?

« on: April 04, 2012, 07:06:53 AM »

Hi Tony,

The initial problem is not to get swamped in information but this is a good place to obtain the basics (and more) http://cnccookbook.com/CCCNCGCodeCourse.htm

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

5908

Share Your GCode / Re: OWL mach 3 Engrave toolpath Gcode

« on: April 03, 2012, 04:53:51 AM »

Hi agguilar,

Sounds like an excellent way to make money provided the potential for the sales of GCode do actually exist.

It only takes a couple of minutes to Google for a free image then create a suitable toolpath using V-CarvePro but it would be well to check the licensing terms because many images are only free for non-commercial purposes.

Tweakie.

5909

*****VIDEOS***** / Re: Vinyl cutting.

« on: April 03, 2012, 02:27:46 AM »

Hi Vogavt,

Just a suggestion...

The Roland type blade holders and replacement blade are readily available on ebay.
A small ball bearing drawer runner / slide would be ideal - mount vertically to the Z axis, fit the blade holder to the moving part, use a self-tap screw as a bottom end stop and either a weight or spring to provide the contact pressure.

Tweakie.

5910

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: Z axis motor mount........

« on: April 01, 2012, 08:33:22 AM »

Hi CNCexplorer,

No matter what you do, there will always be something better and so everything has to be a compromise. However, I would suggest that you go for 'fully supported' rails on the X axis (if not both X and Z) - there is not that much difference in price.

Although wood is easy machining if you start V-Carving then 'chatter' or tool vibration can spoil the work so rigidity is an important consideration here and unsupported rails (less than about 25mm dia.) can flex a lot more than you would think.

Tweakie.