Messages

8871

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use

« on: April 11, 2008, 10:35:34 AM »

Hi Brian,

Another possibility is CamBam. This is still under development and it's 3D support is still limited but with a very active forum and support team it is getting there fast. (It is not that simple to understand - I have been learning for some time now).

http://www.cambam.co.uk/

Tweakie.

8872

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use

« on: April 11, 2008, 01:52:40 AM »

Sorry Brian,

I misunderstood your question re- simple parts. What exactly do you want to be able to produce ?.

For 3D surfacing, a program such as 'Bmp2cnc' will do the job but it will not profile cut well so it is important to know what you want to do.

8873

General Mach Discussion / Re: Is there a simple 3-D program I can use

« on: April 10, 2008, 10:01:39 AM »

Hi Brian,

Have a look at G-Simple. This is a good 3D with a short learning cycle and it's free. (I was able to make stuff within a couple of hours).

http://www.gsimple.gr/

good luck,

Tweakie.

8874

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

« on: April 09, 2008, 07:09:55 AM »

Thanks Rich for such a detailed description of the process. I will certainly start practicing now and if I manage to make anything presentable I will post pictures.

Thanks again and best regards,

Tweakie.

8875

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

« on: April 08, 2008, 11:51:37 AM »

Hi Rich,

One more question please.

I am assuming that the pattern was cut into the blank with an endmill but how do you then get the copper in ?.

I am asking because this is something I would like to be able to do if only I knew how to do it.

Best regards.

8876

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

« on: April 07, 2008, 06:18:32 AM »

Hi,
Please excuse my ignorance. I assume that the blank is aluminium but what is the red colour material please ?.

8877

General Mach Discussion / Re: Lego CNC

« on: March 29, 2008, 09:44:47 AM »

Brilliant !.

8878

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to: Modify z origin when work in progress.

« on: March 19, 2008, 12:50:21 PM »

This may be of help, but it does involve stopping the machine though.

I have individual 'axis enable' switches fitted to my control box. When making signs that are longer than the table I pause Mach, cut spindle power, disable the Y axis, release the work (vacuum table), manually wind the table to it's new position (leaving the work in the same position relative to the tool). Clamp work, apply spindle power, enable y axis, restart Mach. This sounds more complicated than it actually is to do but as Mach is unaware that any changes have been made it continues with the job just as if my table size was much larger.

In your case, I think, pausing Mach, disabling the z axis, winding it down to the required position, enabling the z axis and restarting Mach would work.

8879

Forum suggestions and report forum problems. / Re: LazyCam G-Code

« on: March 12, 2008, 07:39:20 AM »

Hi,

I have used Lazy Cam 2.00.060 to create the G-Code from your DXF.  Running this code with Mach3 R1.84.000 I have no problems.

I attach the G-Code for you to try.

Good luck,

Tweakie.

8880

General Mach Discussion / Re: How to reduce speed of Kress Router

« on: March 09, 2008, 06:36:46 AM »

Hi

I have thought long and hard about your question and I have concluded that you should not try to reduce the speed of your Kress further than it's present minimum speed and here is why I think so.

AC motors which have brushes can be speed controlled by using a variable duty cycle of the applied voltage. The motor is slowed by applying full voltage for less than 100% of the time with the actual switching taking place at the zero crossing point of the AC waveform to reduce RFI (much the same as the system a microwave oven uses to reduce power output). Various speed control products are available to do this for electric drills etc. and they would work with the Kress.

This system works fine for relatively small variations in speed but there is a down side for large variations. Assuming the cutter consumes the same power at a particular feed rate then a reduction in the RPM will cause the motor to draw an increase in current to provide this same power. This occurs at a time when the airflow through the motor has already been reduced by the reduction in RPM. The result could be overheating of the windings and permanent damage to the Kress.

(Most of my stuff is made in low melting point plastics and I have chosen to use a 3 phase brush less motor running at 3000 RPM.)

Tweakie.