Autoleveller Software

[dsnellen]

For anyone who has a perfectly level table, you can ignore this post. For the rest of us with hard to keep level tables here is one great answer. I tried and purchased Autoleveller Software and boy is it great!!! Here is the site: http://www.autoleveller.co.uk/

Basically, it probes your table and records the Z height for a series of X-Y points. It then applies the probed Z values to the Z height in the original file. It then writes a new file with the new Z heights. The probe points are stored and can be easily used by a different program. How cool it that! In Mach3 it seems to have a limit of 500 probe points. That because variables 500-999 are for user use. Variables 1000 and above are for system. For my 4x8 machine, it probed every 3.1" for a total of 496 points. I highly recommend taking a look. Like Cambam, the free version is rather old and somewhat dated. For a mere 20 gbp, about $33US you can get the latest and greatest version. The author is easy to work with and responsive. Highly recommend this program.

Dave

[lloydsp]

Hmmm.... I use shims under the feet of my mill, and a surfaced waste board on my router.

Lloyd

[EddyCurrent]

Thanks for posting the link.
Looks similar to camera lens calibration.
Obviously it works but if cutting wood like me you would need to make a switch activated probe and I would rather skim the bed to make sure it's flat.
Probably a reasonable idea for a small setup where skimming might not be practical.

[Bubba]

Hmmm.... I use shims under the feet of my mill, and a surfaced waste board on my router.

Lloyd

That's exactly what I did, and I do think any software compensation for physical machine deficiencies is BS, although it may help when there are not an easy or cheaper alternatives....

Just like Mach3 backlash compensation, after couple tries finally said screw this.. replaced old acme thread for ballscrew setup and never looked back.

[dsnellen]

Like I said, it's not for everyone. I have a MDF spoil board and with humidity and temperature changes there is no such thing as being perfectly level. I was simply passing along information about a software package that is a proven asset to me for very little money. I do not benefit in any way if you use or not use the software.

Dave

[dh42]

Hello,

I have a MDF spoil board and with humidity and temperature changes there is no such thing as being perfectly level.

Yes, but if it change with humidity and temperature, you must re-scan the table each time ?

It's not too long ?

Note that you can also do that with mach + CB

- Scan the table as for a 3D object (http://www.cambam.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2376.0)

- use the new plugin instead of my soft to obtain a 3D surface in CB (http://www.cambam.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4303.0)

- and use "Project Lines to surface" in Cambam.

++
David

[ajayre]

Seems the target audience is people wanting to cut their own PCBs.

I am struggling to understand why anyone would want to do that these days, apart from very fast turnaround.

For example I can get 10 pieces of 100mm x 100mm, two layer, soldermask, double-sided silkscreen, 100% etested, 6 mil resolution for $1.30 a board (includes delivery to the UK). OK, so I have to wait three weeks to get them.

I'm not sure how much time it would take me to create basic PCBs on a CNC machine, but there is an opportunity cost to consider.

So I would be interested to understand why people do do it. 

Andy

[dsnellen]

Andy,
Cutting PCBs is the hobby that prompted the author to write the code. However it scales quite well. As to the why, beats me. I guess he saw a need, envisioned a solution and build one. CamBam has a number of useful plug-ins that were created for the same reason. Some people build their own CNC power supplies. Why? Beats me. I have a friend who builds computers using a M68000. He designs his own PCBs and wrote his own operating system for it. Has a simple LED display and has network connectivity. Why? beats me. Why do we build our own CNC machines when we could just as easily buy one already build? Why? Well, we just do. Why did Andy build CamBam when there are literally hundreds of already existing CAD/CAM program? Beats me. He just did.

My 2cts worth.

Dave

[ajayre]

Why did Andy build CamBam when there are literally hundreds of already existing CAD/CAM program? Beats me. He just did.

I think it's clear - there was a gap in the market for a high-quality, feature-rich, easy to use and affordable CAM application. I haven't seen anything that comes anywhere close to it in terms of value for money.

Andy

[EddyCurrent]

@dsnellen,

Dave, you must have seen this before ?  

[Dragonfly]

That's exactly what I did, and I do think any software compensation for physical machine deficiencies is BS, although it may help when there are not an easy or cheaper alternatives....

Just like Mach3 backlash compensation, after couple tries finally said screw this.. replaced old acme thread for ballscrew setup and never looked back.

I am using a java script which I downloaded from a link at CNC Zone but there is a striking similarity with Autoleveller. I suspect I've met the author name somewhere in the Zone.
While I don't see the practical usage for a whole table where IMHO skim milling the surface is the better method, in other applications it is a valuable tool.
PCB - the substrate not always is calibrated to an acceptable tolerance and making it lay absolutely flat is also a task by itself. I can definitely say that after I started using the autolevelling script my PCB-s come very good and with uniformly milled tracks. Before I had to use greater DOC just to be sure some part will not be just scratched by the tool.
Working on materials with uneven surface. An acquaintance of mine brought to me a ceramic tile a few days ago and asked me whether I can engrave a logo and text on it. This is exactly an application where autolevelling is the solution.

[dsnellen]

@Andy - Yes I have seen that picture. I have used a similar picture with similar words to describe how the employees would perceived planned software/hardware changes.

@Dragonfly - I skim level the machine that has a vacuum table. The material lays flat. For the larger machine, material is clamped or screwed down. The Autoleveller I mentioned is written in Java so it's probably the same program.  For me, this Java application is more user friendly than the plug-in by dh42.

What I have found is that I can probe the 4x8 at 1" intervals creating a 4,656 point probe.txt file. Use AL with the probe.txt file to apply Z correction to the file. The object can be located anywhere within the probed area. Dh42's plug-in probably will do the same thing but for me it wasn't an intuitive as AL. Even plywood doesn't always lay flat so for large objects, I have the machine mark 'safe' spots where I can put a screw to put the wood flat and secure.

My 2ct worth

Dave

[cncbeagle]

I know the thread is old but...

The question was asked Why would anyone mill a PCB when China will make them so cheap?

Effectively the answer was given when the question was asked.  You have to wait 3+ weeks to get the boards from China.  I fiddle with Arduino and now ESP8266 boards.  I use a free version of Eagle CAD and PCB2Gcode like many others.  With Autoleveler I can use cheap disposable V groove tools and get reliable trace widths.  From concept to finished board is only a couple hours vs 3+ weeks.  Once a proof of concept board is made and tested then a more compact double layer plated through board can be ordered with greater confidence.

Just my take...

John