Messages

381

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Need help with an offset

« on: November 04, 2009, 05:10:16 PM »

I need to create an offset around the outside of this shape using a 1/8 inch cutter. I can offset the inside of the shape just not the outside. I have tried the usual tricks but I cannot lose the 0,0 point because i dont know how to get it back to exactly where it was.

Thanks in advance

Steve

382

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Need Lazycam pocketing help

« on: October 20, 2009, 08:51:11 PM »

NEVER MIND!!!!

I have no idea what i did but it just decided to work!

Thanks to those who would have helped!!

Steve

383

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Need Lazycam pocketing help

« on: October 20, 2009, 07:15:40 PM »

I am trying to pocket this box and leave the funny shape in the center as an island. I did 2 similar shapes with no problem but this one is stubborn. I tried posting to mach and then loading it back. Sometimes it wont generate anything and sometimes it will ignore the funny shape and pocket the entire square.  The DXF is acad v12 I also tried scaling up 10X but that failed. Been at it for a few days.

Anybody feel like giving it a go? Know any tricks i havent tried?

Using a .094 endmill
I need to pocket the square with the funny shape as an island.
Create an offset around the outside of the funny shape.


Thanks in advance!

Steve

384

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: My first project

« on: September 20, 2009, 09:18:45 AM »

Thanks for all the kind words. I had a major hard drive failure and the code was lost. Thank god the code for the mini air cleaner made it to the backup drive.

Cheers!

Steve

385

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: My first project

« on: September 07, 2009, 03:11:50 PM »

Thanks Dan

The Gcode took about 4-5 hours because i had no idea how to use Lcam. Then i spent about 3-4 days trying to get the pocket to climb mill. The climb milling thing never happened and i cut the part anyway. I think it was about 20 minutes a side.

I should post the G code incase somebody wants to make one.

386

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Chains and entities question

« on: September 07, 2009, 12:06:33 PM »

After all the hoopla, here is the finished product. Try not to laugh, it's only my second attempt at Gcode.

387

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / My first project

« on: September 07, 2009, 11:53:44 AM »

Aint much but it did give me a reason to fire up the mill. It's a sort of variation on the turners cube. It is 2 inches square. It is the first thing that i ever tried to make using Lcam and mach 3. She aint perfect, but i'll keep it.

388

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Chains and entities question

« on: September 06, 2009, 06:17:56 PM »

Hey Doc!

You are going to love this one. I opened the dxf into Lcam. Did all the move, optimize, post hocus pocus and looked in mach3 and there was the air cleaner. THE AIR CLEANER TOOL PATH WAS THERE!

I go back to Lcam and click the load current mach3 file button and guess what happens.. . . . . .

The image of a file that i havent worked with in 2 weeks is in the Lcam window!!

2 WEEKS!!

Got a fix for that one!!  Haahahahhahhahhha!!!!

Gotta go bang my head on the garage wall!
BYE

389

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Chains and entities question

« on: September 06, 2009, 12:39:34 PM »

So Rich, what you are saying is to draw the tool path in cad instead of the part. Then tell Lcad to cut on the line.

Interesting approach!

390

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Chains and entities question

« on: September 06, 2009, 12:28:01 PM »

I tried that myself, His dxf to Progecad to V12 dxf. Still did not work. Next IF I can get it downloaded to the shop puter I wil do it in Acad directly. I can scale it up and down to no avail. NOTTA

I can get it to do a pocket BUT it is the entire area, it does not SEE the fins. OR it just ignors it all and does nothing. I could be the puter and Lcam It is running on vista at the house.

(;-) TP

At least i know it's not just me.
Hat's off to Doc! What ever voodoo you do, it works!!