Messages

31

General Mach Discussion / Re: Engraving text

« on: April 19, 2011, 08:38:12 PM »

There are solutions depending on what sort of program you are using to draw  your part.

You can of course import your dxf file into LazyCam and then use the text function in LazyCam to write your text.

I use DeskEngrave a free program from www.DeskCAM.com to write my text to a DXF file then import that dxf file into a drawing I have created with CADX11 (another free-be, but if you get really serious you will want to upgrade - its cheap!).  The file is then saved as a DXF and imported into the G-code producing program you are using.  Works with both LazyCam and D2NC.

If  the part you want to engrave has already been made you can have DeskEngrave produce a G-code that you may be able to use in Mach3.  I have never used that option since the part I am making and the engraving have been designed together.   But the code appears to be Mach3 friendly.

CADX can be found at http://www.graytechsoftware.com/

D2NC is an inexpensive program ($79.00) although you can download a complete free trial program.  It does take some practice before being easy to work with, but I really like it.

D2 can be found at http://www.d2nc.com/index.html

AutoCad does not like the dxf files that DeskEngrave creastes and will not create a usable DXF file


Bob @BobsShop - Is not affiliated with DexkCam, CadX, LazyCam, AutoCad, Mach3 or any other entity!

32

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: please help, I count on it for a project deadline

« on: March 29, 2011, 05:40:13 PM »

Chennan, Do you want someone to produce the g.code for the project for you.  Or, would that be considered bad form?

Bob@BobsShop

33

Share Your GCode / Re: Dragon GCode

« on: March 26, 2011, 09:27:22 AM »

Hi here is an NC file to cut this image some detail is missing due to the original image size and properly the software i used to convert to DXF

CNCSteve = What software are you using for the conversion? 

Thanks

34

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: AutoCAD and LazyCam

« on: February 04, 2011, 06:36:57 PM »

Misha, close the DXF file in AutoCad before you try to import the file into LC.   If the file is still open, LC won't import it from AutoCad.

Bob@BobsShop

35

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Convert this .dat file to DXF ? ? ? ?

« on: February 03, 2011, 08:07:22 AM »

Oops.  Should have addressed to Rich.

Russ, downloaded your DXF file.  Looks like I may have had made a mistake or two when I created my file, but was able to open your dxf  and read it in my Cad X program.  More importantly though; How were you able to create the DXF.  Could be a big help to me in the the future.

Bob@BobsShop

36

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Convert this .dat file to DXF ? ? ? ?

« on: February 03, 2011, 08:04:54 AM »

Russ, downloaded your DXF file.  Looks like I may have had made a mistake or two when I created my file, but was able to open your dxf  and read it in my Cad X program.  More importantly though; How were you able to create the DXF.  Could be a big help to me in the the future.

Thanks

Bob@BobsShop

37

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Convert this .dat file to DXF ? ? ? ?

« on: February 03, 2011, 12:08:29 AM »

Not sure if this is what you are looking for.  Your txt file appeared to be seriously corrupted when I tried to work with it.  Cleaned it up as best I could and produced the following FOIL.txt file.

Curious  - Let me know if it worked or not.

Bob@BobsShop

38

General Mach Discussion / Re: Milling is flipped

« on: November 06, 2010, 05:10:35 PM »

You may be right; I may be crazy. But its just a lunatic...

When I jog using the left arrow key - my table moves to my left
When I jog using the right arrow key - my table moves to my right

My machine does cut correctly (the orientation is not backward) and I don't have to "wrap." my mind (its wrapped enough as it is) around which way will the table move when I push what arrow key.

Just a matter of choosing which hot-key moves which axis in what direction. 

39

General Mach Discussion / Re: toolpath occasionally, randomly goes in strange directions

« on: April 10, 2010, 08:19:06 PM »

Some thoughts of something to check for.

1 )  have you moved any cables.  I had a long cable that was wrapped in a circle.  It produced a field that caused errant problems when my cordless mouse got too close to the cable.

2 ) Computer connected to the internet.  My shop computer communicates with the office computer and the internet via a home wi-fi.
I have to be careful that I disable the network before starting Mach.  Have had software updates come in unexpectedly while cutting parts.  That can cause some real  puckers.

3 ) Don't run a small shop vac near your motors!  You need not ask how I know.

Good luck with your projects.

Bob @ BobsShop

40

Mach3 and G-Rex / Re: Mirrored Milling(backwards text) Mach 3

« on: March 29, 2010, 07:18:57 PM »

Okay, this is probably a dumb answer, and may not apply to your problem, but early on I was having similar problems.  Parts were mirrored, words were backward, etc.

I had used a manual mill but never had been exposed to cnc.  I was used to zeroing everything from the back, right hand edge of a vise and set up my small cnc mill with the same orientation. Was going through a lot of gymnastics to cut things cut properly.  One day I had a BFO (Blinding-Flash-of the the Obvious.  CNC climb milling is oriented opposite.  When I re-set my axis to run that way, my problems went away.  I may still be wrong, but my parts come out correctly and I don't have to read my engraved words in a mirror in order to make sense of them.

The cad programs I have been working with have the X - Y axis orientation located in the bottom left hand corner.  You mill should be set up in a similar manner.

Stand in front of your mill and use the left hand thumb, index, middle finger  visual to see which way your mill is running.  (thumb pointing  up (for the Z axis), index finger pointing away from you (indicating Y+ movement), middle finger pointing to  your right (indicating X +)

If that doesn't solve your problem, I was either wrong, or you have another problem.  Good luck.

Anyone with a different (and maybe correct) solution should feel free to jump in and correct me.

Bob @ BobsShop