Messages

7991

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

« on: April 26, 2010, 04:28:27 AM »

Hi Sam,

I export as HPGL (which is where the arcs become the many straight lines) then convert this to the GCode with a simple converter program.

Tweakie.

7992

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

« on: April 26, 2010, 01:54:16 AM »

Seems that Rhino is looking at a different file or getting it's data from the registry settings perhaps.

Tweakie.

7993

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

« on: April 26, 2010, 01:50:24 AM »

Thanks for the information Sam.

I am still in the dark ages using Adobe Illustrator and Acme Trace Art or TurboCad.

Tweakie.

7994

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.

7995

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.

7996

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.

7997

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.

7998

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.

7999

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.

8000

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.