Topics

1

CamBam help (General usage) / CB 1.0 / Win10 Pro 64-bit mouse issue

« on: February 19, 2025, 21:02:51 pm »

I don't recall this happening before now, but then I'm older than ever before ;-).

Win 10 22H2 OS Build 19045.5487

Using an existing CB 1.0 file that is two years old, after double-clicking a polyline that has multiple nodes and hovering the mouse cursor over a node I want to move...the mouse cursor disappears.  If I have accurately positioned the mouse over the node before it disappears the moment the cursor pointer is over the node, and then left-click to move the node, the node does move, but there is a graphics rendering delay before it shows the node position changing.

CB Options for Graphics mode is Open GL as it has always been during my use since 0.9.8 and 1.0.

Since there have been several Windows updates in addition to installing Microsoft's Visual Studio Code with the PlatformIO plugin and all its JS requirements I am wondering whether this is related to the strange cursor behavior I am now seeing in CB 1.0.

BTW:  It does this regardless of Display Graphics Mode being Open GL or GDI.  Also, the latest .NET version is in effect that is much newer than V4.5 and most likely current.

Any ideas anyone?  Thanks in advance.

2

CamBam help (General usage) / Number of "Drawn" objects in a CB 1.0 .cb file?

« on: May 17, 2023, 19:35:45 pm »

When I do a "Select All" drawn objects in a .cb file, I don't seem to find an obvious way to see a total number for them.

Is this possible or what is the secret.

Thanks in advance.

3

CamBam help (General usage) / CB V1.0 Copy/Pasting LayerObjects

« on: April 15, 2022, 03:29:31 am »

Possibly this has been covered in an earlier post but I couldn't find evidence of it. (I modified this post on 04/16/22 to hopefully explain this better.)

Sometimes I get this error when copy/pasting a Layer with its underlying objects from one CB V1.0 file to another. (Clarification: There are two or more instances of CB open, each with a different CB file.)

I can usually just select the Layer container in one CB V1.0 File window, Copy, change to the other CB V1.0 file window, select it's Layer folder, and Paste.  Randomly I seem to get this attached error message when doing this.  Sometimes when I select the Layer container and all of it's objects, click Copy, change to target file and Paste and all goes well.  Other times I'm able to just select the Layer container and copy/paste it and the pasted layer container is complete with all of its drawing objects.

When neither of these methods work,  I have to first create the new Layer with the same name in the CB file2 window, change to CB file1 window and select all objects in the layer container I needing to copy, Copy, change to CB file2, make sure the target layer object is selected, then click Paste, in order to effect a layer copy.

Any ideas what causes this error?

4

CamBam help (General usage) / Mach 3 loading and CamBam 1.0's G-code .nc file

« on: January 05, 2022, 04:44:27 am »

Most of my experience with using Mach 3 has been with using the G-code files from CB's 0.9.7 (Win XP) thru 0.9.8P (Win7) and never had an issue when Mach 3 loaded a G-code file created by CB.

I've been using CB 1.0 for the past few years, mostly with creating "working drawings", and only a handful of G-code files used with Mach 3 for simple milling of stuff.  I should note that I use a Win10 Pro PC to run and create my CB .cb and .nc files then transfer the .nc files via USB memory stick to the Win7 PC.

It has been a bit over a year since I used my CNC machine at all and finally got off my duff to complete some minor projects.  My Win7 PC has been my Mach 3 go-to computer for many years with no Internet connection since Win7 fell from support.

I've now logged 3 separate days with milling some poly vinyl and acrylic pieces and experienced an odd Mach 3 behavior that I am asking for feedback on.

My startup process is:
With the work piece already mounted on the CNC table and the milling tool already installed in the router...

1. Boot the Win7 PC
2. Start Mach 3 with my CNC machine's config
3. Power up the parallel controller board
4. Power up the PSU for the axis drivers
5. Power up the Super-PID controller
6. From Mach 3's Program Run tab, click the RESET button

At this point I would typically zero the router's XYZ position. Then load the G-code file into Mach 3.

On several occasions now (at least 3), when CB 1.0's .nc file is loading I get the Mach 3 message "Loading G-code" which never completes.  Normally the .nc file load takes a second or two at most, ending with the G-code commands listed in the G-code command window.

The only way I've found to end the never-ending "Loading G-code" is to exit Mach 3 and restart it.  Then it seems to load the G-code file without issue, but then I have to go through zeroing the XYZ axis again to ensure no stepper motors have glitched.

Anyone else experienced this with CB 1.0's G-code files?

Thanks

 

5

Members Projects / My New Years Resolution was...

« on: January 02, 2022, 23:10:52 pm »

...to finally try and use the green Frog painters tape and Super Glue method I learned about on this forum to hold-down work to mill.

It worked great for holding down a scrap of poly faux-wood flooring being repurposed for a dog bowl holder.  I thrilled with how well this method works.  Next is cutting out some hole profiles in some 10" x 10" x .090" acrylic sheets.

My DIY CNC machine's sacrificial board is 3/4" MDF fine grain that has been surfaced smooth.  I put the tape on that surface, burnished it in with a block of HDPE, did the same thing on the backside of the poly flooring plank scrap and put a few drops of Super Glue on the table's tape and laid the scrap plank in place and put a small amount of weight on it to press it down for about 10 minutes.

I also mount a large piece of white HPDE that is surfaced flat and has one 90 deg lip on two adjacent sides to seat work pieces square to the machine XY axis.  The tape method works great with it as well.

I love it!

6

CamBam help (General usage) / Polyline join issue

« on: November 17, 2021, 03:48:09 am »

I know I've run into this before (and I've tried all remedies I can this of to no avail), but why won't these two open polylines join.

I started with two overlapping poly-rectangles.  One of them I converted to be Filleted by half the width.  This created the semi-circular rounded ends.
I then drew a horizontal polyline wider that the two and across both overlapping objects mid-way up their height, then with all three objects selected, the rectangle, the filleted rectangle and the horizontal line, I did a break at intersection.  I deleted the horizontal line segments, the top of the filleted rectangle and the bottom of the polyline rectangle.

When selecting the two open polylines and doing an Edit >Join they refuse to join.  I think I know why (the problem is in the open filleted objected in that it's end-points are not at the beginning and end of the point list.

What is the solution?

Many thanks.

7

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

8

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?

9

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,

10

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,

11

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,

12

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.

13

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,
 

14

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.

15

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?