Topics

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CamBam help (General usage) / Strange symptom ... duplicate parts not duplicate (?)

« on: March 31, 2024, 01:12:36 am »

Have a fairly complex part (modeled in CamBam) that I need two of. So I copied/pasted an exact duplicate next to the master, ran a tool path which looked OK, output an .nc file and ran it on my Mach3-based DIY router machine. However, the two parts came out different sizes - correct in every detail except the second was about 5% smaller than the first. Perfectly proportioned, but undeniably smaller. I don't know if this is due to CamBam problems, Mach 3 problems or something wrong with my machine. I have used this system for 2 or 3 years with no such symptom. I am frankly baffled. It is a fairly lengthy .nc file (in excess of 70,000 lines of gcode) so I haven't as yet had time to run it again so I don't even know if this was a one-time glitch or a systemic problem. I am curious if anyone else has had a problem like this, or any ideas what might cause it?

BTW it is just a straightforward 2D job ... several pockets and 2 profiles (one for each iteration of the part).

Any ideas will be appreciated.

Oh, and ...Happy Easter!

2

Scripts and Plugin Help / VBS scripts will not run with Windows 11

« on: March 20, 2024, 21:38:16 pm »

I recently upgraded to Windows 11 (My old computer died & the new one came with W11). I am now unable to run VBS scripts (Python scripts run just fine). Sadly, I don't write Python ... been a VB guy for years. I really don't want to learn a new computer language at this stage of life. When I try to run a VBS script, I get an error message that says it can't find "Microsoft.VisualBasic.vsa" followed by a whole mess of alphabet soup. Has anyone else seen this or anything similar, and does anyone have any suggestions? I am at my wit's end.

3

CamBam help (General usage) / Trying to mill a very shallow dome

« on: October 21, 2019, 16:38:08 pm »

I am trying to draw and mill a dome that is 11" in diameter, with the center (high point) 3/4' high. I've drawn it with Sketchup, exported it as an .stl file, opened that in Cambam, and tried about twelve gazillion different MOPs, none of which work. I have tried 2D profile (side profile), and 3D profile over and over, all with a multitude of permutations of settings, etc., and basically all I get (when it works at all) is an eleven inch hole in my workpiece. I'm using CNC Simulator to simulate the milling.

It's pretty clear I'm missing something, but at this point I have no idea what to look for. I have done a lot of 2D work with CamBam on my little homebuilt CNC (I use Mach3), and it has always worked well ... but this 3rd dimension has defeated me.

I will admit up front that I am no CNC whiz, but this seems like it should be pretty straightforward ... and I am lost. I have attached the .cb file of my project containing the latest in a loooooong list of MOPs that do not do what I need. I'm not asking for anyone to solve my problem chapter and verse, but  a nudge in the right direction would surely be appreciated.

4

CamBam help (General usage) / guitar neck

« on: February 18, 2018, 15:47:00 pm »

OK ... I'm officially whipped. I have been trying for several days to mill the back profile on a Telecaster neck. I have an STL file for it from Chris Cockrum's excellent site (https://cockrum.net/lutherie.html). When I load the STL into CamBam, it shows a side view of the neck. I managed to rotate the model so that I am looking at the back of the neck, and it is clearly a 3D model. I use a 3D profile MOP, set the basic parameters (tool size, stepover, depth, etc), position everything ... and all it will do is cut the profile! No attempt at all to "shape" the neck. And it is sloooooooow ... takes about 2.5 to 3 hours just to cut the profile (I know this is somewhat related to the feed rate, etc., on my machine,  but Egads - that long for a roughing run??!!)

I have tried every conceivable combination of settings, etc., but NOTHING works, so obviously I am missing something really important.

I am using Mach3 on a homebuilt CNC router that has, up to this point, performed very well. I have done a lot of 2D and 2.5D work so I'm not exactly a neophyte at CNC, but this whole 3D thing has defeated me. If anyone has a direction to point me in I would be very grateful. I have scoured the 'Net for anything even remotely useful but have so far come up pretty much empty. The CamBam 3D tutorial didn't help much. One more thing -  I am not looking to do a "two face" cut ... if I could just get the back profile rough cut I would be ecstatic