Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: Anyone using TTFtoDXF or Vectric Cut 2-D?

« on: March 21, 2011, 02:03:17 PM »

Tweakie,

If Cut2D has the single line fonts and will output g-code, why can't I just use a 60 degree bit to effectively have a v-carve font sign? 

Am I missing something?

By V-Carve, I only mean to cut the font and not to create the fancy graphics.

Are the fonts in Cut2D all hollow?

Steve.

32

General Mach Discussion / Anyone using TTFtoDXF or Vectric Cut 2-D?

« on: March 21, 2011, 12:47:07 PM »

In searching for engraving fonts for signs on this forum, I came across a post about TTFtoDXF from couple years ago.  I guess the software grew up and changed from free to $100.  The price isn't that bad, but thought I would ask if anyone is using it and their experience with it.  

The Sawmill Creek CNC guys are all advocates of Aspire and Vectric V-Carve Pro.  They seem the best turnkey product for signs.  Their price is quite a bit outside my budget and I wouldn't use a forth of the V-Carve Pro options.  The Vectric Cut-2D doesn't seem to have the sign fonts or any type of design functions, although the Vectric forum gallery for it shows some nice work.

I know that I could download the demos and answer most questions, but I am burned out with trying demo programs.  My signs will be in the 16" wide by 10" tall size range (and smaller) made in sassafrass wood.  I prefer using Whiteside 60 degree v-groove bits.  The tab option of Cut-2D is a real temptation to me.  Right now I am using BobCAD v21 to make all the designs and am not happy with any fonts I can find or come with BCC.  

Does TTFtoDXF or Cut-2D have many single line fonts for basic V-carving text?

Can TTFtoDXF input to Lazycam with good results?

Is there another inexpensive software to convert the TTFtoDXF into g-code that Mach3 likes?

Do you need a CAD program to clean up and customize Cut-2D?  (Vectric stresses lack of design ability with Cut-2D)

What CAD programs do you use with TTFtoDXF?  (I have BobCAD V21)

Does Cut-2D direct output and Mach3 play nice?

Steve.

33

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I repeat the cut of the same part?

« on: March 15, 2011, 11:26:20 AM »

I am really impressed now that I learned about the enter key.  I used the multipass wizard to cut the Z depth in steps and then used the nesting wizard to repeat the part over the material size.

Steve.

34

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I repeat the cut of the same part?

« on: March 15, 2011, 10:48:26 AM »

Have you replaced the M30 with a M99 at the end of your original code? You need to do that for the nesting wizard.
Hood

I did that, at first there was an M30.  It was the blasted ENTER key that was my final problem.

Steve.

35

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I repeat the cut of the same part?

« on: March 15, 2011, 10:46:12 AM »

Be sure to hit the ENTER key after each DRO change.

Simple is as simple does!!!   Now it works.

Thanks,
Steve.

36

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I repeat the cut of the same part?

« on: March 15, 2011, 10:28:29 AM »

I must be dense.  The nesting wizard is excactly what I want to use, but I cannot get it to work.

My Mach3 is licensed.  I have Version R3.043.022 installed.

When I select the wizard it comes up with my part on the screen.  If I change a value, such as number or repeats on X, and then click anywhere else the value goes back to 1.

In trying the "multipass" wizard I get the same problem.

Steve.

37

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / BobCADCAM Automatic Roughing g-code

« on: March 14, 2011, 04:30:57 PM »

I have Bobcad V21 and use is for the CAD and g-code creation parts.   I am using the Mach3 post processor from Bobcad.

I have used their "automatic roughing" for couple years and was used to it.  Bobcad requires you to make the total Z depth a negative number and then a positive number for the different cutting steps.  The code then has the Z as negative steps.  Following code is for a 0.75" depth cut at 0.25" steps.

G01Z-0.25 F10.                        [first cut depth]
G03Y0.6781I-0.1154J0.0481 F20.
X0.0146I-0.8654J-0.3606
Y0.5819I0.1154J-0.0481
X1.7454I0.8654J0.3606
G00Z0.25                                [returns to safe]

G01Z-0.5 F10.                          [second cut depth]
G03Y0.6781I-0.1154J0.0481 F20.
X0.0146I-0.8654J-0.3606
Y0.5819I0.1154J-0.0481
X1.7454I0.8654J0.3606
G00Z0.25                                [returns to safe]

G01Z-0.75 F10.                         [third cut depth]
G03Y0.6781I-0.1154J0.0481 F20.
X0.0146I-0.8654J-0.3606
Y0.5819I0.1154J-0.0481
X1.7454I0.8654J0.3606
G00Z0.25                                 [return to safe]

In my prior controller software there was an option to "invert z" direction for cutting when this was used. 

Is there anything similar in Mach3?

Should I just remove the negative signs after it creates the g-code?  [haven't tried that yet]

Is there a simple way in Mach3 of repeating code with a different Z?

Steve.

38

General Mach Discussion / Re: How do I repeat the cut of the same part?

« on: March 13, 2011, 06:29:53 PM »

I want to draw a part, create g-code for the single part and then cut multiples of it out of a piece of flat stock. 

My quantity can vary depending on the size of flat stock or order size, so I don't want to draw and create g-code for the multiple quantity.

Images attached are an example.

Steve.

39

General Mach Discussion / How do I repeat the cut of the same part?

« on: March 13, 2011, 05:52:56 PM »

On my prior controller software it had a screen for "mass production" where you could tell it to repeat the code a given number of times with offsets for X and Y axis.  No nesting or checking for overlap of parts.

How can I accomplish this with Mach3?  What do I need to read up on?  Is this what a macro is good for?

I did search, but didn't find anything which could be due to the search words I used. 

Links or references to the manual are welcome.  (an example would be great)

Steve.

40

General Mach Discussion / Re: XML change for Gecko

« on: March 13, 2011, 03:49:59 PM »

Hood,

BTW - What did changing the xml to IJMode 1 actually do?

Steve.