Messages

41

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

« on: February 21, 2010, 07:55:05 PM »

Personally, I think Ettore would approve!  Very nicely done.  Just one guy's opinion

What size end mill did you use for the pocketing?

What type milling machine are you using?

And, How long did it take to cut the piece.

Thanks for sharing.

Bob@BobsShop

42

LazyCam (Beta) / Re: Bugatti Emblem cant get toolpath!

« on: February 11, 2010, 03:39:59 PM »

My attempt.  Not sure how this would cut.  Looks like it would take hours. I have been playing with this for hours and things to do so I haven't attempted to try to cut the program.

My solution to getting the text to pocket - After took DXF into LCAM, I deleted the text (it just would not pocket right for me) and then used the TEXT function in LCAM to drag new BUGATTI text into the oval.  The Arial Black font is pretty close to what was originally posted and for whatever reason, I was able to use pocketing.

The LCAM file has been zipped.  It was huge.

Bob@BobsShop

43

Share Your GCode / Re: Degree Wheel

« on: January 31, 2010, 01:07:08 AM »

Rich, thanks for the single line fonts.  I was bragging much too quickly about how easy it would be to drag the numerals from LZCam onto a degree wheel.  It is doable, but scaling the fonts to one size was a daunting task.  Would be much easier to do with something like you have.  That, plus the fact that the letter fonts in Proxy are really dorky.

Bob@BobsShop

44

Share Your GCode / Re: Degree Wheel

« on: January 27, 2010, 08:39:23 PM »

Not trying to steal anyone's thunder, but the attached was created in about 5 minutes using D2NC (for the wheel itself).

D2NC code was dragged into Mach3, exported into LazyCam, and the text added using the LC text drag function.  It is not as pretty as adprinters, but probably much quicker than making individual letters.  The font chosen in LC was Proxy1.  The trick here is going to be learning how to drag the text so the sizes are the same.  I think with a little practice it will get easier.

Bob@BobsShop

45

General Mach Discussion / Re: How Do I create shapes that can be cut with my hotwire

« on: January 27, 2010, 07:50:39 PM »

Not familiar with deskcnc, but most CNC software will allow you to add offset.

The easiest way may be to export the file to LazyCam (you can do that from Mach3) and then add a 1/8 inch offset.  You may need a LC pro license to do offsets.

If that is not an option look at CADX11  http://www.graytechsoftware.com/ They have a free version of CADX11 that will do what you want.

Several fairly inexpensive ways to do it.  Shoot me a message if you need more info.

Bob@BobsShop

46

LazyCam (Beta) / Problems with Inkscape and DRM

« on: January 13, 2010, 11:45:59 AM »

Have been pulling my hair out for two weeks now.  Computer (Dell with 2.5 gig mem, 160 gig harddrive, running Windows XP).  Computer crashed big time.  Had to wipe my harddrive and reinstall programs.   You know the drill and the frustrations involved with tasks like that.  It didn't solve all my problems.

Next time I re-booted the computer my screen was filled with 30-40 dot dll folders and other files.  Deleted them.  Rebooted later, same problem.

Discovered that Inkscape and program called DRM Removal Package have some similarly named applications and Dlls buried in them.  My computer did not know if it was coming or going when trying to load the programs and it was proliferating the files over and over.   In my case the solution was to delete Inkscape because I am using the DRM package regularly. I don't think either program was maliciously attacking my computer - it was just an unfortunate coincidence.

DRM is not a cad or cnc program.  It used to convert electronic book formats.  Unless you install it,  Inkscape should not present problems.

Bob@BobsShop

47

General Mach Discussion / Re: How can a CNC machine save time?

« on: December 24, 2009, 02:03:25 PM »

On a similar note:

We gave our daughter a Romba - you know - one of those cute little automatic sort of robotic room sweepers that were all over the tv screens several years ago.  Anyway, she called to say she loved it, that it did a good job, but that it did not save her any time when cleaning the house.  She went on to explain that watching the little rodent clean was entertaining and instead of turning it lose and going on to  other pursuits, she turned it on and sat down to watch it.  Said she wasted a lot of time like that!

I have had similar experiences when working with my small Taig cnc mill.  It is fun to watch and listen to as it goes about its programmed chores.  Before I got comfortable with the machine I would watch it for hours.  It is, after all, small and slow.  But in the Taigs defense, it will cut parts that would be next to if not totally impossible to make manually.   The addition of a 4th axis has opened up a new arena of entertainment.  There have been times (after much trial and error) recently when I have actually been comfortable enough with its operation to walk away while its running and machine manual parts on the lathe.

Bob@BobsShop - drawing, proramming, whistling, and cutting.

 

48

General Mach Discussion / Re: Engraving around outside of a tube

« on: December 20, 2009, 12:41:01 PM »

>why is "special" software needed for wrapping engraving gcode round a cylinder? just swap the Y code to the A code and as long as the steps per are set right - job done. Isn't it?

Depends on the job.  On some it will make no difference, for others the aspect ratios are really screwed up.  I engraved some deer around the outside of a ring for a deer-hunting buddy of mine.  Without adjustment for the circumference of the ring, the deer looked like dachshunds with antenna!

Bob @ BobsShop - Disclaimer for the benefit of the humane society - No deer were injured in the cutting of the ring!

49

General Mach Discussion / Re: Engraving around outside of a tube

« on: December 17, 2009, 05:43:18 PM »

You might want to check out D2NC (there is a link to it in the DOWNLOADS section).  Not free (think it was $65.00).  I have used it for many engraving projects with great success.

Bob@BobsShop

50

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: PROBLEMS OPENING A DXF FILE IN LAZYCAM

« on: December 17, 2009, 05:38:03 PM »

Try closing the AutoCad DXF file.  LC will not open a DXF file if it is still open in Autocad.

Bob @ BobsShop