Messages

7631

Share Your GCode / Re: He's just a Wile and crazy guy!

« on: April 25, 2010, 01:31:30 PM »

Hi Sam,

How did you produce the code for Wile.E.Coyote please ?.

It does truly run at a constant velocity on my machine - unlike some of the code I make, which has so many straight lines instead or arcs, that it slows down considerably.

This was never a problem with conventional engraving but is a real headache with laser engraving which relates speed and depth.

Tweakie.

7632

General Mach Discussion / Re: Machining Vinyl Spindle speeds and feed rates???

« on: April 25, 2010, 12:56:52 PM »

Hi Bill,

This problem was discovered by engravers, many years ago.
The trouble is that the very tip (magnified) of a standard vee tool has no cutting edge therefor a great deal of friction is present which, with stuff like HDPE results in melting and subsequent poor finish. If you study the geometry of an engraving point, you will see that it has a flat on the point (only about 0.004" wide) and this flat has clearance which makes it into a cutting edge and therefore reduces friction.
Exactly where one can be purchased I don't know but there must be 'purpose made vee tools' which are made especially for plastics which probably look just like the standard engraving points.

Tweakie.

7633

General Mach Discussion / Re: Any Microscribe users in here?

« on: April 25, 2010, 09:18:16 AM »

Could it be a Windows issue ?.
Right click on the relevant file and uncheck the 'read only' attribute.

Tweakie.

7634

General Mach Discussion / Re: inconsistant dial gauge readings on axes

« on: April 25, 2010, 09:11:43 AM »

Could possibly be missing steps or the driver not translating the direction signal voltage well.
Assuming you are using stepper motors, any missed steps can often be heard by jogging an axis from one end to the other and listening carefully to the motor - a short 'tick' or momentary change of note is an indication.

Tweakie.

7635

General Mach Discussion / Re: New machine build

« on: April 25, 2010, 02:23:40 AM »

Hi LRJ,

The Vectric website http://www.vectric.com/ has many free examples which you can cut to get more experience of your machine and Mach use.

There are many free software programs available, some good - others of marginal use. The first detail profile shapes I made, were using 'G-Simple' which can be found here http://www.gsimple.gr/

Tweakie.

7636

General Mach Discussion / Re: inconsistant dial gauge readings on axes

« on: April 25, 2010, 02:15:11 AM »

Silly question perhaps but how did you correct the backlash you found on the Y Axis ?.

Tweakie.

7637

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Gift Box

« on: April 24, 2010, 01:03:21 PM »

Very very nice work and an excellent gift for someone special.

Tweakie.

7638

General Mach Discussion / Re: Making a laser cutter

« on: April 23, 2010, 06:11:12 AM »

Hi Furkan,

After a bit of experimentation I really do not see that making PCB’s with a laser is even a remote possibility (but perhaps someone may prove me wrong).

There are a number of reasons, that I can see, why this is not a practical proposition:–

1)   Copper is such a good conductor of heat that a lot of energy would be dissipated either side of the intended kerf .
2)   Copper is also probably the best reflector you can get for energy at 10600nm. (CO2 laser).
3)   Because the laser beam is focused to a point the size of a pin prick the isolation kerf produced would hardly be wide enough to be of any practical use.
4)   Assuming there was enough available laser power then once it penetrated the copper layer it would then still have sufficient energy to cut right through the GRP board as well.

It was a good thought though.

Tweakie.

7639

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

« on: April 22, 2010, 08:40:42 AM »

Hi Timmy,

Welcome to the forum.

If you are unable to resolve your Z Axis problem then post as much detail as you can about it, in the general section and I am sure someone here will be able to help or at least suggest fault finding ideas which you have perhaps not thought of.

Tweakie.

7640

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

« on: April 21, 2010, 01:02:57 PM »

Fitted a 10 turn potentiometer with graduated locking dial for the current control. Also the safety lockout key switch.

   

Finished and fitted the cover for the Rats Nest.

   

This is the display panel. The DRO indicates laser current when the laser is triggered and the LED's indicate the various parameters.

   

This is the front of the machine with all the extra stuff fitted.

   

Finally this is another test run with aluminum faced engraving laminate. The laser cuts through the ally skin with surprising ease.


Tweakie.