Messages

46

CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Using a V bit to sharpen corners of a pocket

« on: November 30, 2015, 18:21:34 pm »

Thanks Eddy. In the end the V bit didn't cut as cleanly as I hoped, but a few minutes with a sharp skew chisel fixed it. Attached is a photo of the finished stamp. 50mm diameter, end grain limewood.

47

CamBam help (General usage) / Re: Using a V bit to sharpen corners of a pocket

« on: November 29, 2015, 16:12:01 pm »

Thanks, I got there in the end, and your suggestions to use a profiling operation set me off on the right track.

What I needed to do was:
1. Create a profile MOP to cut the inside of the triangular counter.
2. Set the stock surface and target depth the same as in the pocketing MOP.
3. Turn on Corner Overcut = True.
4. Configure the tool bit (60 degree V, 0 diameter).
5. Set the roughing clearance to (pocket depth) / Tan 60.

I don't think I could have figured this out without the help of the CAMotics simulator! I've attached a rendering of the 'sharpened' counter showing the pocket cut to full depth with an end mill, then the corners sharpened with a V bit.

I haven't yet tried doing the outside of the symbol but I imagine the same procedure will work.

48

CamBam help (General usage) / Using a V bit to sharpen corners of a pocket

« on: November 29, 2015, 12:19:49 pm »

Hi, newbie question I'm afraid.

I'm trying to relief carve some stamps. I've got as far as using a pocketing MOP with an 1/8" end mill to remove the bulk of the background material. Is there a way to generate another toolpath that uses a 60 degree V bit to sharpen up the internal corners a bit and also eliminate the 'bridges' where the inner shape has inadvertently become connected to the outer circle, without unnecessarily re-cutting all of the background area?

I have attached my work file.

49

Members Machines / Re: Taig Mill

« on: November 06, 2015, 18:44:18 pm »

Alex, did you upgrade to the CNC style adjustable lead nuts. If not you will want to else the backlash will be a big problem. I keep them in stock if you need them. For a machine the size of the Taig mill stepper motors will provide all the power and speed you can use. Servo motor do have the advantage of having built in feedback so if you stall a motor you will know.

Yes thanks, I already upgraded the nuts.

50

Members Machines / Re: Taig Mill

« on: November 06, 2015, 08:01:55 am »

Thanks everyone! I'm sure I will have questions, being totally new to CAM. It took me a couple of hours to figure out how to go from an Inkscape drawing with a bunch of crosshairs showing where I wanted the holes to go, to a set of drilling operations in CamBam. Now I have a procedure that works I could probably do it again in ten minutes.

Next project will be to use profiling to cut out a bunch of thin plywood parts for a concertina bellows-making jig.

Bob: looking forward to hearing more details about your servo system. My original conversion plan for the machine, ten years ago, involved using servos. Lately I realised that open-loop steppers would be much easier and cheaper, and probably adequate for the type of work I'm planning on doing. So far they seem to be performing better than expected. My next upgrade is likely to involve the spindle: the motor that came with the machine only gives me something like 5000RPM top speed.

51

Members Machines / Taig Mill

« on: November 04, 2015, 07:24:38 am »

Hi, new CamBam user here. I've just converted my Taig mill to CNC with the intention of using it to make parts for concertinas, as well as jewellery and other things. There's a bit of a write-up and a video of it making my first CNC part over on my blog:
http://www.holdenconcertinas.com/?p=358