Topics

1

CamBam help (General usage) / My 2010 Dust Collection Video

« on: February 15, 2021, 20:01:01 pm »

Recently DH42 shared his photos of his dust collection system after I had alluded to the one I use that is based on Oneida's Dust Deputy.
I know I've posted my YouTube video of this on other CNC forums but don't remember if I did so here.

I still use it today and the only thing that has changed is to a far more quite, but strong, vacuum source which is an old Nilfisk GS90 home vacuum cleaner.  In the video you can just see a corner of my first DIY CNC machine that used a Dremel Tool as the router.

Here is the video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D796aO5HCo

2

CamBam help (General usage) / CB V1.0 always opens full screen

« on: February 13, 2021, 01:57:22 am »

I can't figure this one out and it has bugged me for a while now.

If I have CB's app window size slightly less than it's Maximized size and Save my CB project file, whenever I open CB with any CB file it always opens a full screen size window.  In the upper right-hand corner of the screen (the Maximized icon area) shows the less than Maximized icon with the description "Restore Down...", but the last part of the description is off screen.

Is this a feature?  How can I get CB to open to the screen size I last used it and saved it's project file?

3

CamBam help (General usage) / Selling Unused straight, carbide-tipped bits on Ebay

« on: February 05, 2021, 02:24:39 am »

I've posted on Ebay the selling of 9 straight bits I have no use for.  8 of them have never been used, one used just barely.  I bought them quite a few years ago.  If there is any interest, here is my Ebay posting:

http://ebay.us/xQGh5Z?cmpnId=5338273189

This listing should have been a "Make an Offer" type of listing but for reasons I cannot determine it turned out to be an auction.  Sorry.


Thanks,

4

CamBam help (General usage) / CB V1.0 Message Window after creating G-Code

« on: January 29, 2021, 19:17:57 pm »

I've always known one can see how long a MOP operation can take after creating it's G-code and looking in the Message Window at the bottom of the CB screen.  And, I've always scanned the Message Window for any errors but never paid much attention to these lines except for the time to complete.

Recently, for the first time, I've created the G-Code for the Machining Part instead of each individual MOP associated with a Part. In the attached screenshots, one shows my part with its underlying MOPs and there description, the other shows the messages relating to creating that G-code.

I do not see any direct association to each message line to their respective MOP descriptions other than their being a profile or pocket.

My question is: Why do these messages appear somewhat out of sequence, where the "finish" is listed before the "rough" descriptor?

I didn't see anything in CB's Help to explain this.

Thanks in advance,

5

CamBam help (General usage) / Drill MOP Spiral Depth Increment on MDO plywood

« on: January 24, 2021, 21:53:12 pm »

It has been a few years since I milled 3/4" MDO plywood so I want to make sure I am doing my MOPs at the optimum D.O.C and Depth Increment for my setup for making parts for a computer table inspired by the old O'Sullivan computer desk from the 80's.  Sadly, nothing on the web today resembles what I am doing.  I've attached a photo where I mated two of the computer desks to make a longer one.  (The far end shows the support leg motif.)

Router - Porter Cable 890
SuperPID - router speed control
mill bit - GARR TOOL 1/8" x 2" x 1" (P/N 41037 620MA)  I know this is typically used for metals but I've used them before for plywood) but feel free to comment

My .cb file is also attached.

Here is my Drill MOP question:
I'm planning on a spindle speed of 15,000 - 16,500.  My Drill MOP for some .250" dia. holes defaults to a Depth Increment of .015".  This seems a might small but would make very clean holes.  I'm making the holes in two passes, a roughing clearance of .015", followed by a finish pass with 0 roughing clearance.

For the pocket and profile MOPs I using the same spindle speeds but a D.O.C. of half the bit diameter or .0625".  This has always worked well in the past although I know I've used a D.O.C = to bit diameter in some cases.

Thanks,

6

CamBam help (General usage) / CB 1.0 (or 0.9.8P) generating G-code for Mach3

« on: January 24, 2021, 05:15:12 am »

My 1st confession: I've used CB and Mach3 Mill for about 10 years and done a range of engraving, PCBs, acrylic and wood projects.
    2nd confession: In my Machining parameters of these numerous projects I've never specified a post processor, mostly out of ignorance.

It has been just over a year since I touched my CNC machine, although I always use CB for many drawing purposes, I always have to review this forum and CB Help when setting up MOPs.  My review this past week led me to view the great CB video tutorials which I no doubt saw years ago (but I've slept since then and in my early 70's now) so more review is prudent.

What is the best way to discern the difference between CB's default Mach3, Mach3-Cutviewer and Mach3-Cutviewer+G43 post processors and whether or not I'm being negligent by using CB's default post processor and not declaring one of these Mach3 post processors?  I've not ever encountered any discernable problems that I know of by not doing so.

Insight appreciated!  BTW: I'm preparing to cut out some computer desk parts out of 3/4" plywood using Drill, Profile and Pocket MOPs.

7

CamBam help (General usage) / IGS (IGES) file conversion for AutoCAD 2011

« on: December 12, 2020, 23:06:24 pm »

Seasons Greetings everyone!

I'm done searching the web for a free means to convert two .IGS files so I can open and use them in my AutoCAD 2011. (I can't afford to upgrade it to a newer level). I found eMachineShop online that will convert my .IGS files but their "freebie" only seems to convert one view of the object.  I want the whole 2d/3d object from these .IGS files (if that's possible).  I've looked for IGES plugins for AutoCAD 2011 and find them for later versions but not mine.

Any ideas of suggestions for converting these two files to a usable AutoCAD 2011 format is what I'm seeking.

Note: I've had my copy of AutoCAD 2011 since 2011 or 2012 and hardly ever used it.  I now have a project that would benefit from my re-learning its capabilities in 2D and 3D models, so now I'm ready to import these vendor provided .IGS files in a compatible format for AC 2011 which I'm assuming is possible.

Please steer me in the right direction.  I've tried to attach the two files but the forum doesn't allow those filetypes.  (why? they are just text files)

Many thanks,
 

8

Members Projects / What is "the blue painter's tape and super glue trick"

« on: October 29, 2020, 18:25:24 pm »

I saw Dragonfly reference a post where Bob referenced "the blue painter's tape and super glue trick"  for holding down parts being milled, where Bob found the green Frog tape worked better (with flood cooling).

What is the super glue trick with the tape?  btw: I love Frog tape, too, for many reasons.

9

CamBam help (General usage) / I'm new to Camotics or Cutview - got interested from previous posts

« on: October 11, 2020, 19:01:39 pm »

I installed the Camotics dll in CB1.0 and it seems to work fine when opening an existing .072" aluminum control panel I did recently.

I do not understand why most of the profile cuts of slots and circles do not appear to go all the way through the workpiece while only three do (to some extent), or is that the expected behavior?  Playing with the "Manual" Workpiece XYZ settings do not seem to cause greater milling depth.

My .nc files Camotics based this view on clearly have milling depths that exceed the workpiece thickness.

I need some "learnin'" here.

Thanks,

PS, ran into a possible Camotics bug.  I've posted this on the Camotics group forum but so far no responses.
I had open and closed Camotics 3 or 4 times looking at my .nc file "view" before odd behavior began after I chose to show Camotics full screen.  The app displayed full screen but then none of the menus worked properly or in some cases at all.  I could still change the "eye view" of my board though.  I had to close Camotics with Windows Task Manager.  There was no other way.  Re-opening Camotics again resulted in it dutifully displaying in full screen mode and again, the Menu bar was disfunctional and I had to close again with Task Manager.

Any ideas what might be causing this?
 

10

CamBam help (General usage) / Reality check needed and much appreciated

« on: July 21, 2020, 03:16:44 am »

Hi folks, admittedly it has been close to a year since I've done any CNC work and with aging added in it puts me retrograding with CB.

I'm using CB1.0 with latest updates and this is my first serious use of CB1.0.

There are three MOPs, and the first two are not the problem, it is the 3rd Profile MOP "SlidePotMountingHoles" that has me stumped.  After generating its GCode, there is the distinct indication that the toolpath is visiting other layer objects which it should not be doing.  Its only focus should be the six small holes above and below the slots.

I have checked all objects for errant Z values and find no issues, all Z values are zero.  I have check all MOP and confirmed the multiple objects specified are separated with commas.

So why does the last profile MOP make the rounds to other Primitives not specified in the MOP Primitive IDs list?

I remain, stumped.

11

CamBam help (General usage) / Photo for Lloydsp

« on: June 24, 2020, 01:57:42 am »

Test to see if adding attachment is working again.

12

CamBam help (General usage) / CB 1.0 - Is this a bug or am I doing something wrong

« on: June 21, 2020, 22:10:06 pm »

I'm used to doing an object repositioning in 0.98P by selecting the object(s), right clicking on them and selecting "Numerical Move", then entering a value for an amount and direction (+ or -) to move the object on that axis.  Normally, after entering the positive or negative value, pressing Enter makes the move and leaves the window open.  Clicking the numeric move's Close button closes the window.

When I perform these steps in CB 1.0, all works as expected until I click the numeric move's Close button, then CB closes without saving changes.

I'm just now trying to use CB 1.0 Pro with some of my recent 0.98P .cb files and this is the first odd or unexpected behavior that I have come across.

Does CB 1.0 expect the order of these steps to follow a new order?  I did save the .cb file this behavior is happening in as a 1.0 file.  I'll post the .cb file if it helps.

Thanks

13

CamBam help (General usage) / Windows 10 Pro builds 1909 and 2020

« on: June 19, 2020, 06:25:03 am »

Dang!  I just spent an hour typing in a posting on this topic, didn't remember that the default is "Stayed logged in for: 60 minutes", pressed the Post button when I finished, got a CB login screen, logged in and found my lengthy post had disappeared.

In a nutshell, Win10 Home/Pro, whatever, gets broken with Microsoft's build 1909 and 2020.  The culprit is the updates to the Microsoft Photos app in both of these builds but is particularly worse in build 2020.  If you are experiencing odd USB drive behavior, especially smartphone USB connections to your computer,  I've lived this nightmare and finally found the fix.  If at build 2020, restore back to 1909, if at 1909 restore back to 1904, but DO NOT allow the 2020 build to update your computer if at 1909.

The MS Photos apps is the culprit.  Restore back to 1909 or 1904 and remove Photos app with this powershell command.

To get into Windows Powershell, type "Windows key + X".  This opens a system menu instead of the normal Start menu.  Click Windows Powershell (Admin) in the menu list.  Click "Yes" to allow this program to make changes to your system.  A DOS looking prompt window opens that looks very similar to the Command line window. 

PS C:\Windows\System32>   appears as the command prompt

type "get-appxpackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos | remove-appxpackage"<Enter>   without the quotes and hit Enter.

There will be minimal response or confirmation of success, but indicates something along the line of "Preparing", Removing, Complete" followed by the return to the "PS C:\WINDOWS\system32>" command prompt.

Cheers

14

CamBam help (General usage) / Anyone out there able to make me some of these?

« on: May 28, 2020, 04:31:53 am »

Attached is a CB drawing, drawn to CB grid scale of a small motor shaft adapter made from aluminum.  I need a price for 6 to 12 pieces if anyone is interested.

The adapter is used to convert from a 1/8" shaft diameter to a 1/4-20 threaded shaft diameter.  It needs to slip on a 1/8" motor shaft diameter, held in place by a 4-40 machine screw, and provide conversion for a 1/4 -20 threaded shaft.  I'm guessing type of aluminum dowel stock used would be something like 6061.

Pardon my use of CB as a drafting program.

Let me know if you have questions or suggestions.

Thanks everyone

15

CamBam help (General usage) / Chrome no longer remembers CB pwd with new CB website - any ideas?

« on: May 12, 2020, 16:19:11 pm »

I've noticed that the Chrome browser no longer asks or remembers the CB website login username/password.  And, I've removed the old CB URL along with the username/password from the saved passwords list in Chrome.

Any ideas?

Thanks,