I have a job to do which involves engraving text and logo around the outside of small (20mm) tubes. The engraving would be at a single fixed depth of, say, 0.1mm.
My mill is a K2 clone with a 4th axis (rotational). The rotation is parallel to the Y axis. So, the cutting movements will be on X and A axis( with the plunge on Z axis as usual).
I also have the full version of Lazycam installed.
The logos etc. are graphics files. They can be easily converted between graphics file formats.
How can I do this engraving job without buying additional, expensive software?

Check out CNCWrapper http://www.cncwrapper.com

Daniel

Check out CNCWrapper http://www.cncwrapper.com

Daniel

Hey Thanks Daniel!
That's just what I've been looking for.

Cnc Wrapper will be handy when I have managed to make a G-code file from an image.
Does anyone know of a cheap software that can convert an image file (i.e. a logo) into G-code?
I have lazycam but it seams unable to convert any of my images. The images are Fireworks PNG files (they can also be saved as GIF, TIFF or JPG).

Try CamBam http://www.cambam.co.uk it has a free version with some limitations... http://www.cambam.co.uk/download/previous/beta-081.html may be it will do for you.

Daniel

Creating g-code from an image file is very inefficient. You might want to convert the image to a vector file first, then convert the vectors to g-code. Could cut your machine time be a factor of 10 or more.

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

There is also this software that converts images to g-code I have not used it so I can not comment on its results :-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/picture-to-g-code-cad-cam-cnc-software_W0QQitemZ190359039361QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c52486d81

Graham

Creating g-code from an image file is very inefficient. You might want to convert the image to a vector file first, then convert the vectors to g-code. Could cut your machine time be a factor of 10 or more.

This is a very important point.
I have now bought a really good vector drawing program (serif DrawPlus)http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/drawplus/index.asp, it only cost 9.99 GBP for the full version!. Drawplus can save files in the DXF format and they are easily converted to G-code by Lazycam.
I also have D2NC installed and it is really good for making quick wizards. D2NC can also convert Drawplus DXF files to tube wrapped G-code.
So, thanks to all for your advice. I have been able to check out some software that I didn't even know existed.
By the way, CamBam looks like a very useful piece of software. I'm definitely going to install it. Only thing is that it'll take some time to learn how to use it. 

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?