Thread: Help please cad to cnc

You need another bit of software to do the CAM side of things. Have a look at Cut2D for a cheap easy to use program - they have a trial version.

Hi Tony,
I am in Aleander Heights if that is within distance for you. I can take you through the software and machine setup so PM if you are interested.

Hi there

I am in Tapping but get to all areas of Perth as i am self employed sparky, would love to get to meet up, whats your time like ? day time evening? before xmas ? after Xmas just let me know. I am away Xmas till 2nd Jan over sea's so that week is out for me sorry


Tony

Not that far from me so looks like we are good to go.
I have sent you a PM with details

Hi guys.

We have just purchased a cnc router to go with our laser. (Laser cutting done cheap for mates. We have a big stock of acrylic, up to 25mm for clear, 20m for black,white & opal, lots of colours and mirror, as well as .8mm & 1.4mm polypropylene for stencils.)

I'm having a problem when I save toolpaths from V Carve to Mach 3.
The attached picture shows approximately what happens.
When I generate the top image and save it, it appears as the bottom image on Mach 3 and then tries to cut that shape which is way too big.
That means hit the panic button and scratch my head.

I really want to be able to play with this thing during our holidays, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Greg

Greg

Zip up your Vcarve Pro file and post it.

We will take a look.

Another Greg

Looks like crop circles to me - not being funny but this is how Vectric describe it.
In Mach3 go to
Config
Gegeral Config
Second column about half way down is
Motion Mode
Change IJ Mode to Inc
Then hit the OK button
If you do this with the file loaded you will see the circle disappear off the toolpath screen. Vectric have fixed this with the new Aspire upgrade and are releasing the VCarve pro upgrade before Xmas.

It hates me!!
Today, when I fire it up, it all works perfectly.
Now, there's no Z axis movement, but I think that's a problem in the computer.
I'll get there eventually.

Greg

Originally Posted by rodm

Looks like crop circles to me.

Yes it does look like a crop circle but the fact that it is placed where two straight lines were, makes no sense to me.

Crop circles happen where there are incremental arcs that have been drawn as absolute.

That was why I suggested looking at the gcode or Vcarve file. Just looks a bit odd.

Vectric have inserted a G91.1 in the post processor preamble which will turn on incremental arcs automatically. Should reduce the number of beginners asking "what's going on?"

Greg

Hi Greg,
I see what you are saying. It is an odd one.

Hi Guys

Get used to 4am posts from me.
Mostly on weekends.
That's when I get a lot of stuff done.
The phone doesn't ring.
Nobody wants me to do anything else.
A few hours of total freedom.

Thanks for your help.
This looks like a forum that's really helpful.
The drawing was from memory and only an approximation.
The problem seems to have gone away.

I spent time yesterday calibrating the steppers and managed my first cut.

My problems now are with Z axis movement disappearing between cuts.
A reboot fixes it and the supplier says it may be a dodgy motherboard.

Does anyone know of websites or forums with ideas and designs for projects?
I'll eventually find them myself (at 4am), but bypassing the search will save time that could be used more constructively.
I will post links to anything I find.

I do plan to make wooden clocks eventually.
Have a look at woodenworksclocks.com
Also check the attachment.
I have the full plans in PDF (no longer available).
I will post them if anyone is interested.

I have 20 years experience in plastic fabrication, particularly acrylic (perspex).
Advice on materials, bonding, shaping, etc freely given.

Greg

Whoops.

Forgot the attachment.

Greg

Hi Greg,
We have a thread where we post our projects. Feel free to add any of yours on here as well
Projects Thread
The Vectric forum and CNCZone forum also have lots of projects shown as well.