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danmauch
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« on: October 20, 2010, 10:23:15 AM » |
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One thing that you would have to keep in mind if you plan to use a laser to cut gears is the width of the cutting beam. In my case it is .005" . I have made some gears that came out really nice but I want to get perfectio n. So my thoughts are to dimension the master and slave dxf gears, calculate the increase in size necessary to negate the laser beam width, then scale them up according ly and then cut them. Anybody see a problem with that method? Dan Mauch Gecko stepper and servo kits and assembled units stepper and servo motors. cases for all Gecko products dmauch@camtronics-cnc.comwww.camtr onics-cnc.com |
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Joseph
Newbie
Posts: 6
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« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2010, 11:53:35 AM » |
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Scale doesn't work the same as offset contour.
If you are using CorelDraw
1. Smart fill the gear (this will give you an outline that CorelDraw likes better)
2. Window (tab at the top)
3. Dockers
4. Contour
Set your offset amount
You will have to zoom in close and place the cursor on the offset line and right click
Break Contour Group Apart
You can now work with the offset contour
If your not using CorelDraw look for offset contour.
In these pictures the black is original, yellow is offset contour, red is scale
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tweakie
Newbie
Posts: 34
Super Kitty
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« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2010, 07:06:16 AM » |
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Dan,
How are you getting on with the laser cutting - have you got it sorted now ?
Tweakie.
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Wod
Newbie
Posts: 11
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« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2010, 09:37:55 AM » |
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You've probably already tried this, but why not use G41 or G42, depending on your cut direction, to offset your beam?
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danmauch
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« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2010, 11:46:50 AM » |
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My versa laser doesn't use offsets. It uses the dxf fuile directly. So it is no problem to use bobcad and use offsets to creat the new laser cutting path.
Dan Mauch
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danmauch
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« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2010, 11:56:34 AM » |
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Joesph gave me the answer which was to use offset. Seems to work fine. The last gears I made a few weeks ago came out good but haven't had much time to play with it as I just finished building 12 CNC control units for one of my OEM's that I build for and now I go another 4 systems to build for another company. My main focus now, other than building control units, is to get the inpact engraving working. The reason I need it is because my laser will engrave anodized aluminum just fine. But it doesn't work on unanodize d alum. Thus To save silkscree ning costs I want to impact engrave labels into the front and rear panels that I machine. I found a source for some tubular solenoids that look like they will fit right into a end mill holder and or a R8 with a Jacobs chuck. They will take very little modificat ions to make a precise impacting tool but that plug in is giving me fits, with pin 8 Dan Mauch www.camtr onics-cnc.comdmauch@camtronics-cnc.comDan,
How are you getting on with the laser cutting - have you got it sorted now ?
Tweakie.
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Wod
Newbie
Posts: 11
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« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2010, 03:46:24 PM » |
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I figured you had a good reason for what you were doing, just couldn't figure out what it was.
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Eastblock
Newbie
Posts: 15
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« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2010, 05:08:37 PM » |
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Hi Joseph,
Is "smart fill" only available in never versions of corel? Can't find it in my ver. 12.
TIA,
Michael
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Joseph
Newbie
Posts: 6
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« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2010, 12:04:01 AM » |
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I think smart fill came out with version X3.
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Eastblock
Newbie
Posts: 15
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« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2011, 09:30:40 AM » |
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Using the off-set to compensat e for the laser kerf I have successfu lly cut MOD 0.5 gears on the lathe from ply and acrylic. They mesh and run well.
Michael
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tweakie
Newbie
Posts: 34
Super Kitty
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« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2011, 07:42:05 AM » |
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Joesph gave me the answer which was to use offset. Seems to work fine. The last gears I made a few weeks ago came out good but haven't had much time to play with it as I just finished building 12 CNC control units for one of my OEM's that I build for and now I go another 4 systems to build for another company. My main focus now, other than building control units, is to get the inpact engraving working. The reason I need it is because my laser will engrave anodized aluminum just fine. But it doesn't work on unanodize d alum. Thus To save silkscree ning costs I want to impact engrave labels into the front and rear panels that I machine. I found a source for some tubular solenoids that look like they will fit right into a end mill holder and or a R8 with a Jacobs chuck. They will take very little modificat ions to make a precise impacting tool but that plug in is giving me fits, with pin 8 Dan Mauch www.camtr onics-cnc.comdmauch@camtronics-cnc.comDan, Andrea resolved the problem and is now getting excellent results using the plugin for impact engraving . The relevant thread is here http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16446.0.htmlIf you follow his lead you will be OK. Tweakie. |
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ArtF
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« Reply #12 on: January 31, 2011, 08:19:34 AM » |
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LOL... Its amazing that engraving plugin is getting so popular, when I wrote it the responce was an overwhelm ing yawn.  . Two years later I see a great deal of responce to it. Ill have to think about adding a laser control program to my list, seems a lot of people are gettign into lasers, and there isnt a great deal of software that can take full advantage of one. Seems to me theres quite a few interesti ng gizmos that coudl be done for a laser some day... when I finally get myself together enough to get one. I see the price falling all the time for them.. Art |
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Thanks, have fun,
Art
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tweakie
Newbie
Posts: 34
Super Kitty
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« Reply #13 on: January 31, 2011, 12:03:27 PM » |
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Hi Art, Although most of my laser work is vector and handled wonderful ly by Mach3 it is nice to be able to do raster work occasiona lly (albeit rather slowly with the mass of my combined X and Z axis). The Engraving plugin has enabled this function beautiful ly (mainly thanks to your recent work at the end of last year resolving a couple of problem areas) and it is now capable of producing work of equal if not better quality than all the 'hobby' to 'low end professio nal' proprieta ry laser control systems. When you are ready for your laser system, the last problem area with the plugin (for me at least) as mentioned on the Mach forum, is Banding. If this could be resolved the plugin would be just perfect. But hey it's time you took a break, spent more time with your family, chilled out a bit. You have been working like a Beaver for too long now, just take it easy for a while.  Tweakie. For those who have not already seen it, this was done using the plugin. |
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Bloy
Newbie
Posts: 33
Wave goes here :)
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« Reply #14 on: January 31, 2011, 04:55:18 PM » |
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Cool, Tweakie!
By the way, I really enjoy your website.. ..lots of info and well presented!!!
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Thanks,
John M
Sturgeon Bay, WI
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