V-Engrave Plugin

[elf]

hello,
you can make this also with the v-engrave plugin.
You need the letter, you draw a second polyline with the offset function and a third polyline with the half of the distance of the first offset.
The letter and the first offset line you convert in to a region. After you use STR+U on this region.
To cut "inside" the letter you set the stock surface lower then the stock. As lower you set the stock as more you cut to the middle of the letter.
The second polyline with the half distance you need for the pocket.
In the attached file you see how I do this.
You need a cutter with a flat v-angle and a large diameter.

ralf

The technique in the Inlay portion of this thread will also create raised letters with sharp crests: http://www.cambam.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4065.0

[ajayre]

Thanks! I'll give those suggestions a try.

Andy

[ajayre]

Ralf,

Your technique worked well - see attached. Thanks!

Any ideas why the vengrave toolpath is executed three times?

Andy

[pixelmaker]

It looks that if you convert the two lines to a region the letter is cut two times and if you use the join (Strg+U) it cuts 3 times.
This is a problem of the engrave plugin, I am only a user and I can tell you only the workaround.
Create a new, active layer
Right Mouse on the mop and "toolpath to geometry"
Delete the v-engrave mop.
On the new layer are now two or three polylines for each sign. Delete the needless polylines and use a engraving mop to cut this polylines.

ralf

[CaesarS]

Hi there!

New to CamBam, I like it so got the license 

I've installed the plug in and able to select it in the Machining menu list.

I don't know how to use it though? On my test cut it promptly plunged into the depths to the point my stepper motors skipped steps.

I don't see a way to configure depth increments, how would I control the depth per pass?

Thanks, Caesar.

[EddyCurrent]

You don't control the depth specifically. You need a large enough V cutter for the particular job such that it 'fills' the character at a reasonable depth of cut.

Also read these two posts;
http://www.cambam.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3513.msg31263#msg31263

[Bubba]

I don't know how to use it though? On my test cut it promptly plunged into the depths to the point my stepper motors skipped steps.
++++++++++++++++++++
Because the depth can not be controlled, I have used phony V tool diameter, usually a 1/3 bigger than the cutter I intent to use just to create a gcode. It worked for me fine..

[CaesarS]

Aaaaah that makes sense now, I'll try it out.

[macbob]

I found that if I gave a non-zero cutter diameter then I had to be careful that it did not exceed the Max Crossover Distance, since otherwise the path tended to traverse from one region to another without fully retracting to the clearance plane.  Check your rapids!

I would have thought that if the cutter is going too deep, it must imply that the width of the outline was root 2 times bigger than this?  I found it handy to draw myself a circle with diameter equal to the actual cutter size and to drag it round my drawing looking to ensure that it never fit entirely within the region.

Bob

[EddyCurrent]

It just requires something to parse the generated G code file to find the extremes of Z

[lloydsp]

It just requires something to parse the generated G code file to find the extremes of Z
-----------
You have that in CB, Eddy.

Import the g-code, then convert toolpaths to geometry.

Then just select it all, and get the object extremas.

LLoyd

[EddyCurrent]

It just requires something to parse the generated G code file to find the extremes of Z
-----------
You have that in CB, Eddy.
LLoyd

Thanks, yes I tried that before I posted because it returned zero.
Obviously that was correct because I had not imported the g-code and implemented Toolpaths to Geometry.

[Dragonfly]

I haven't tried the V-Engrave plugin but from what I read it definitely needs max depth limit. If the depth is not enough to fill a gap then a step over move should be added to cover for it. I've seen other programs work this way and when the area is relatively large they produce a flat bottom at that place.

Really have to see the plugin, my comments are somewhat random now.

[Bubba]

If the depth is not enough to fill a gap then a step over move should be added to cover for it. I've seen other programs work this way and when the area is relatively large they produce a flat bottom at that place.
+++++++++++++++

The same here. It cetainly would help when v-carving thin material

[dh42]

Hello,

Maybe it's an already known problem (I don't use the plugin for my own usage) .. but on the last version (0.0.0.8 ) the cut width display don't work (I tried the 0.0.0.5 and it work)

++
David