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Members Machines / Re: Wow! Sometimes a failure is a GOOD thing!
« on: March 17, 2018, 19:01:12 pm »
Well, ALRIGHT!!! Don't you love it when a plan comes together? 
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Members Projects / Re: Need suggestions for "Girls Exploring Tomorrow's Tech" display
« on: March 01, 2018, 00:14:03 am »
Incomple
There is a thread here on CamBam showing how to setup GRBL for CNC and it will run via USB connection from your computer. I set up a small CNC with it and it worked. Not as 'fancy' as Mach3 but should work fine for what you need to do. Here's the link to the thread
http://www.cambam.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6482.0
Don
There is a thread here on CamBam showing how to setup GRBL for CNC and it will run via USB connection from your computer. I set up a small CNC with it and it worked. Not as 'fancy' as Mach3 but should work fine for what you need to do. Here's the link to the thread
http://www.cambam.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6482.0
Don
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Members Projects / Re: Powder Coating - Just for Dragonfly
« on: September 12, 2017, 15:03:02 pm »
Ok Bob I won't read your info on powder coating. Seriously, I won't read your info on different techniques and how you can actually do this at home in your shop..... Really, I won't...
Don
Don
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CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Evacuation!
« on: September 06, 2017, 13:26:16 pm »
Lloyd
Our prayers and best wishes are with you, your family and everyone else in the path of Irma. Be safe
Don
Our prayers and best wishes are with you, your family and everyone else in the path of Irma. Be safe
Don
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CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Machining (yes) CamBam (maybe)
« on: August 30, 2017, 20:32:12 pm »
Bob, I have been doing 3D printing for a couple years now. It is fun but can be very frustrating particularly when you are a new user. Unless you see future uses to be pretty steady I would recommend sending it out to be printed. On the other hand if you just want to have a 3D printer 'because', have at it. Just don't expect to be successful on the first, second.... x try at a print. In some ways, 3D printing is more of an art than a precise repeatable process like CNC machining. If you expect exact dimensions (ie to a few thousands) you might be disappointed.
Part of the problem is the components for most machines are made with the cheapest the manufacturer can find. Lots of failures with steppers, drivers, mother boards, etc, particularly with the entry level machines. Pretty easy to fix, components are readily available.
But they are fun for knocking out pieces and parts for my model planes, making replacement parts for household items.
Don
Part of the problem is the components for most machines are made with the cheapest the manufacturer can find. Lots of failures with steppers, drivers, mother boards, etc, particularly with the entry level machines. Pretty easy to fix, components are readily available.
But they are fun for knocking out pieces and parts for my model planes, making replacement parts for household items.
Don
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Related Softwares / Re: mach 3 and brains help needed
« on: August 26, 2017, 18:56:50 pm »
chuckeroo
I use tabs all the time and clean up is typically a minor task.
But, another approach is to attach the work piece to another sacrificial piece that is bigger than the part being cut. I usually use a couple or three screws thru the bottom of the sacrificial piece into the bottom center of the wood I am cutting and do a very thin final pass to cut the piece loose. No tabs, no cleanup.....
Don
I use tabs all the time and clean up is typically a minor task.
But, another approach is to attach the work piece to another sacrificial piece that is bigger than the part being cut. I usually use a couple or three screws thru the bottom of the sacrificial piece into the bottom center of the wood I am cutting and do a very thin final pass to cut the piece loose. No tabs, no cleanup.....
Don
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Members Machines / Re: Compact 3 Phase Motors 1/3-1/2 HP ???
« on: August 01, 2017, 20:21:57 pm »
Bob, I don't know if this would be of any interest to you but have you looked at the brushless motors used in RC applications. They are 3 phase and typically controlled by an ESC (electronic speed control), all the brains are in the ESC, some of the ESCs used in 3D helicopters even have governors to hold head speed constant.
They are pretty small, the motor I use for competition aerobatics produces over 3.5hp an weights less than 600gr. They are pretty small compared to 1/3 to 1/2 hp brushed motors.
There is thread on CNC Zone about using these a few years ago.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cnc-router-table-machines/10695-spindle-idea.html
Don
They are pretty small, the motor I use for competition aerobatics produces over 3.5hp an weights less than 600gr. They are pretty small compared to 1/3 to 1/2 hp brushed motors.
There is thread on CNC Zone about using these a few years ago.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cnc-router-table-machines/10695-spindle-idea.html
Don
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Related Softwares / Re: Windows 10 users.
« on: August 01, 2017, 14:16:32 pm »
Bubba
In response to your question about regarding what updates to I allow. I do not choose any options on updates however I do control when the updates happen. I only allow them when the PC is idle, no updates during 'working hours'.
Glad you seem to be working now, hopefully it stays that way.
Don
In response to your question about regarding what updates to I allow. I do not choose any options on updates however I do control when the updates happen. I only allow them when the PC is idle, no updates during 'working hours'.
Glad you seem to be working now, hopefully it stays that way.
Don
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Related Softwares / Re: Windows 10 users.
« on: July 31, 2017, 16:30:57 pm »
I haven't had any of those issues under W10. I don't let it update automatically but when I do let it update CamBam isn't affected.
Don
Don
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CamBam help (General usage) / Re: pocketing help
« on: June 19, 2017, 03:51:11 am »
chadrat6458
What is the intended dimension of the piece? When dxf imported it is huge.
Don
What is the intended dimension of the piece? When dxf imported it is huge.
Don
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Feature Requests / Re: Corner Overcut For Pocket
« on: May 28, 2017, 14:21:05 pm »
Kit
Don't be embarrassed, most of us have asked similar questions on this forum, at least I know I have.
Don
Don't be embarrassed, most of us have asked similar questions on this forum, at least I know I have.
Don
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CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Holding tabs automatically placed randomly outside stock
« on: May 03, 2017, 20:33:59 pm »
Just a quick note to mention a comment posted on CNCZone recently (CamBam forum). I seldom go the the CamBam forum on CNCZone because the feedback and answers here are so much quicker and to the point, it is a waste of time for me to go there. I check in periodically and usually find little new. However, there was a relevant question which I answered and mentioned support is much quicker on the CamBam site. The OP mentioned he had been on this site and felt there were 'egos' involved. I mention this not to point any fingers but suggest initial impressions are tough to change. I believe this is one of the best forums and support groups I have ever experienced and seldom have any issues with strong opinions here. I was a 'newbie' once and asked lots of ignorant questions and received great support. I think most people do but it is easy to give some new user the wrong impression.
Don
Don
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CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Holding tabs automatically placed randomly outside stock
« on: May 03, 2017, 14:39:42 pm »
If you click on 'Generate Toolpaths' all the tabs appear in proper location in the profile toolpath. I always generate the toolpaths first to see how they look before I generate tabs so I haven't run into this issue before. I don't know why they appeared incorrectly using your approach.
Don
Don
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Scripts and Plugins / Re: GRBL v1.1 Machine Control and GCODE sender Plugin
« on: April 12, 2017, 15:02:07 pm »
Karst
Quick update Received the Uno/GRBL boards, loaded the GRBL hex file (version 1.1f) on the UNO and bingo everything seems to work as expected running a simple file. Have not attached the GRBL board nor any steppers yet.
Thanks again for your efforts
Don
Quick update Received the Uno/GRBL boards, loaded the GRBL hex file (version 1.1f) on the UNO and bingo everything seems to work as expected running a simple file. Have not attached the GRBL board nor any steppers yet.
Thanks again for your efforts
Don
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CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Really confused with STL
« on: April 12, 2017, 14:56:26 pm »
Grant
Here is a quick and dirty example of a way to machine your part from the stl file. I guessed at depths.
1. Open the stl file in CamBam
2. Align the top of the surface at z=0
3. Select the object and do a 'Edge Detect' which will create polylines for all edges. To keep it visibly simple I deleted all the poly lines except the top and bottom edges.
4. Do an outside profile for the top edge. I used a cutwidth that cut away all the area above the first step.
5. Do an outside profile (with tabs) for the outside edge. I started that profile at the bottom of the first profile to avoid wasting time getting down to that level.
There are many ways of doing this part, but this is simple, 2 MOPs and you are done.
Don
Here is a quick and dirty example of a way to machine your part from the stl file. I guessed at depths.
1. Open the stl file in CamBam
2. Align the top of the surface at z=0
3. Select the object and do a 'Edge Detect' which will create polylines for all edges. To keep it visibly simple I deleted all the poly lines except the top and bottom edges.
4. Do an outside profile for the top edge. I used a cutwidth that cut away all the area above the first step.
5. Do an outside profile (with tabs) for the outside edge. I started that profile at the bottom of the first profile to avoid wasting time getting down to that level.
There are many ways of doing this part, but this is simple, 2 MOPs and you are done.
Don