Messages

81

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Learning Curve ahead!

« on: August 27, 2008, 05:06:14 PM »

I get that part, going to start from scratch, I could not figure out what was what at this point so I'll start fresh and move layers offset then delete the original chains Think I'll write down all the numbers first so I can keep it straight.

Kristin

82

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Learning Curve ahead!

« on: August 27, 2008, 04:51:24 PM »

Bill,

I just tried cutting and my 1/2" dia pockets are more like 5/8" Guess I need to go back to the original dxf and start over, but it's progress. I do use inside offset for the pockets, slot and holes and outside for the outer perimiter correct?

Kristin

83

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Learning Curve ahead!

« on: August 27, 2008, 03:43:19 PM »

I think I've got it now, took a while to see where to set everything and move entities to a new layer, set the depth and offsets but I think I am ready to make some acrylic snow as a test cut in plexiglass scrap.

Attached are my LC file and tap file.

Kristin

84

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Learning Curve ahead!

« on: August 26, 2008, 08:19:47 PM »

Bill,

Actually I want to use a smaller cutter, how do I set the pass cuts and set the offset?  I am thinking a 1/4" cutter and would like to take the outside cut perhaps at .01-.015 or so per cut, the acrylic is nasty stuff if you overheat it or the cutter.

I did delete everything but the outer arrow, so I know I need to climb mill around that( and yes loose the sharp inside corrners to the mill)

I guess the part I can't figure is the depth of cut per pass, where do I enter that?

Kristin

85

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Learning Curve ahead!

« on: August 26, 2008, 07:33:29 PM »

OK, here we go, I cut this file already but didn't step it off the table, now I have put a  1/4" spacer under it by loosining one clamp at a time (part is acrylic 1/4 thick) now I want to cut the arrow outline out, how do I do it with LC now, obviously remove the text and graphics, then what, offset the outer arrow by .5 the cutter dia? Run a new file with several cuts in steps to do this?

If someone could walk me through this it would be great, again not asking for it to be done for me but just step by step how it's done.

Kristin

86

General Mach Discussion / Re: mill retro HELP

« on: August 26, 2008, 02:48:46 PM »

I see Peter Homann has solid state relays for $16.00 ea. any comments?
 Temporally out of stock.
Ed

Ed,

Take a look at these http://surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2008082613482585&item=11-3167&catname=electric

Kristin

87

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Learning Curve ahead!

« on: August 26, 2008, 11:36:26 AM »

Hi Bill,

The material will be 6061-T6 and .25 thick. So if I am following along by placing the entities on different layers I can make this happen, any idea which layer is processed first?

Kristin

88

LazyCam (Beta) / Learning Curve ahead! Problem Solved!!!!!

« on: August 26, 2008, 12:59:55 AM »

Methodology

Here is a file I would like to cut, could probably hand code everything but would rather not if the computer can do it for me. I am thinking I need to run LC about 3-4 times with different entities on a separate dxf file and then merge them together into a single tap file with stops for tool changes.

I was thinking first off running a #11 drill for the five holes and perhaps even the two points at the ends of the .75r arc (all the holes have a point so I can loose the circles) then switching to a 3/16” mill and doing the 1.25 diameter hole and the arc and finish up by trimming the corner radius perhaps with a larger mill cutter.

I forgot to mention there is a .5 x .125 deep counterbore around the four holes in the array, they would need to be delt with on the second pass with the 3/16 cutter.

I am not looking for someone to run off a file but to learn how to do this myself for future projects, if anyone does post some code please add some notes as to what is going on.


Ideas and suggestions welcome.

Kristin

89

General Mach Discussion / Re: Basic initial setup question

« on: August 24, 2008, 09:18:08 PM »

How do I do that most of the NFW Wizzards are not avalable to me!

90

General Mach Discussion / Re: Basic initial setup question

« on: August 24, 2008, 08:42:19 PM »

OK here is another question, I have a cast aluminum tray about the size of my mill table I have been milling it as a tooling plate (10-32 holes on 1/2"  centers) with the attached G-code (crude beginer stuff) now before I unbolt it is there a routine to sweep the whole plate with a 1/2" end mill to smooth out the surface, it's 9.5" in the x direction and 3.75" Y. It would be cool if someone could explain the function of the code as I can see this going on once more as I am planning on buying a piece of 1/2" 6061-t6 next time I order metal stock and remake this. I can see the need to do this type of operation over and over again and just can't seem to find the examples of g-code for it.

Kristin