ROCKCLIFF CNC Machine Builders Forum http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum How to build your own CNC, free to join for all www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum en Fri, 18 May 2012 09:02:18 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg ROCKCLIFF CNC Machine Builders Forum http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum Large Scale 3d printing http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=609&goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 00:44:12 GMT SERIOUS 3D printing!!! This is freakin' cool! Gotta find an old robot arm...:cool:

http://vimeo.com/33026239 ]]> 3D Printer fabitrabbit http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=609 laser cutter http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=608&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 11:08:41 GMT anyone built any laser etch machines. ive seen some people pull some parts from an old printer an make a cnc laser. wonder if i can put one of thus... anyone built any laser etch machines. ive seen some people pull some parts from an old printer an make a cnc laser. wonder if i can put one of thus on my model d. if anyone knows of the details on setting up a laser let me know thanks ]]> CNC Laser tlkane http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=608 Attaching photos / files to a message http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=607&goto=newpost Mon, 14 May 2012 00:45:23 GMT it's a process here's some photos to show you,

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]]> General rockcliff http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=607 New drag knife http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=606&goto=newpost Thu, 10 May 2012 15:29:43 GMT I just received a new drag knife so I'm new at this.

I tried to cut vinyl (3mil) lettering. The name, 1/2" high, created in CoralCad imported thru VCarve 6.5.

Some of the letters come up with the knife making the name unusable. !/2" and 1" circles OK.

So is there a minimum size that can be cut?
A program that should be used.
A procedure.

I'd like to cut model airplane cover like monocoat.

All help will be appreciated. ]]> Drag Knife Tangential mswrites http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=606 BobART http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=604&goto=newpost Mon, 07 May 2012 15:02:29 GMT There are lots of things you can use BobART for, check out this quick video on converting an image to a 3D embossed model with tool path! ... There are lots of things you can use BobART for, check out this quick video on converting an image to a 3D embossed model with tool path!

http://screencast.com/t/4KbaUj2GFx0
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]]> BobCAD-CAM aldepoalo http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=604 Forum upload file types http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=603&goto=newpost Sat, 05 May 2012 17:04:12 GMT I am adding more file type attachment upload options, which saves time when trying to upload a file, if anyone has some specific file types, they... I am adding more file type attachment upload options, which saves time when trying to upload a file, if anyone has some specific file types, they want to see, just add it to the list


DXF – AutoCAD
DWG – AutoCAD
STEP,STP – Step
IGES,IGS – Iges
SAT – ACIS
3DM – Rhino
X_T – Parasolids
X_B – Parasolids
SLDPRT – SolidWorks
BBCD – BobCAD-CAM
STL – Stereo Lithography
SKP - Sketchup ]]> rockcliff http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=603 new bie with problems http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=601&goto=newpost Thu, 03 May 2012 02:11:14 GMT Hello out there, I'm 67 yrs of age and I live in Longlac, northern Ontario but not quite with the esquimos. I have built myself a cnc router. I purchased a 3 axis kit from "Rockcliff" and am very satisfied. I think my problem is in the setup. My workspace is 16" on the x and 32" on the y. My problem is I can't get no ipm. With the present setup I only get approximately 5 to 7 ipm. My leadscrew is 3/8 x 16 alltread. I am using BobCad/Cam V24 and Mach3. I have tried in mach3, the setting - set steps per unit, and get 25600 in the steps per, 45 in velocity, 9 in accel, 5 in step pulse and 5 in dir pulse. Can anybody help? what else can I do Thanks ]]> Introduce Yourself woodburcher http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=601 BobART Pro http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=600&goto=newpost Tue, 01 May 2012 22:52:12 GMT Hey guys, I wanted to talk about the 2 rail sweep option in BobART Pro. This features give you loads of options for creating complicated 3D... Hey guys,

I wanted to talk about the 2 rail sweep option in BobART Pro. This features give you loads of options for creating complicated 3D shapes in BobCAD.


Emboss 2-Rail Sweep Basic Setup

This tutorial explains the basic setup and general process to create an Emboss 2-Rail Sweep using BobART.

When creating a 2-rail sweep you must first define the stock. This stock defines the area in which you can create an emboss. The next step is to create 2 rails inside the stock. These rails can be open or closed shapes such as two parallel lines, or two offset rectangles; and they can be 3-dimensional. The two rails must share the same chain direction. After creating two rails at least one cross-section geometry is needed. The cross section (width) must be drawn horizontally along the X-axis.


Important: You cannot use a cross section that is drawn vertically in the Y-axis. So, the start and end point of a cross section cannot share the same X-value. The width of the cross section is taken from the change in X-values and the height is taken from the change in Y-values.

Basic Setup


Open BobCAD-CAM and click File, New.
In the BobART tab right-click Emboss Model, and click Emboss 2-Rail Sweep.
Because no stock is defined the Stock Parameters dialog box appears.

Set the desired stock parameters and click OK.

The 2-Rail Sweep dialog box appears. Click OK. The stock is displayed in the Workspace.

The following items are added to the BobART tree below Emboss Model:

2-Rail Sweep 1 - Add (Each feature is numbered and includes the Transition Type)

Rail 1-Geometry (Stores the geometry for the first rail)

Rail 2-Geometry (Stores the geometry for the second rail)

Cross-Section Geometry-1 (Stores the geometry for the first cross section)

Draw the first rail and the second rail inside the boundary of the defined stock.

Draw one or more cross sections in the Workspace either inside or outside the boundary of the defined stock.

Right-click Rail 1-Geometry, click Re/Select. In the Workspace select the appropriate geometry and click OK.

Right-click Rail 2-Geometry, click Re/Select. In the Workspace select the appropriate geometry and click OK.

Make sure the chain direction of each rail is the same. To view the chain-direction arrow, click the Rail Geometry item in the BobART tree.

Right-click Cross-Section Geometry-1, click Re/Select. In the Workspace select the appropriate geometry and click OK.

Make sure the desired chain direction is achieved. The start point of the cross section is connected to rail 1 and the end of the cross section is connected to rail 2.

Right-click 2-Rail Sweep 1 - Add, click Edit. The 2-Rail Sweep dialog box appears.

Select the desired parameters that are explained in Emboss 2-Rail Sweep. Click OK.

Right-click Emboss Model, click Regenerate. The Emboss 2-Rail Sweep is finished.

NOTE: Remember that every time a 2-Rail Sweep parameter is changed you must right-click Emboss Model, and then click Regenerate to see the changes reflected in the model.
Attached Thumbnails
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Attached Files
File Type: zip RockcliffmachineBobART Sweep sample.zip (259.5 KB)
]]> BobCAD-CAM aldepoalo http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=600 Signal Generator Alternative http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=597&goto=newpost Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:08:38 GMT Hello all, I have a Torchmate 1 Plasma system I built quite a few years back. The signal generator died about a year ago...And much like others I... Hello all,
I have a Torchmate 1 Plasma system I built quite a few years back. The signal generator died about a year ago...And much like others I have read posts from in forums, my jaw hit the floor when I got the quote to replace the part. They are telling me that the cost of replacing the signal generator alone is about half the cost of what I originally bought the ENTIRE torchmate system for. I am largely a hobbyist and can not justify those costs. So I am searching for any CNC enthusiasts that might be able to contribute some Knowledge.

My question is: Is there any alternatives that I can use to replace the signal generator? Can I just use a breakout board for that?

Because of torchmate's extremely high replacement part costs, i am moving away from them and I have not decided wheter to go with Mach3, EMC, or usb-cnc as the control software...But i would like to use as much of the machine i built as possible, and so i think I have to get some fundamental info on hardware compatibility first. My main concern is what can I use instead of the signal generator from torchmate.

The rest of the system specs are:
  • The step drivers are Applied Motion #2035's
  • The stepper motors are of unknown mfg but specs are: (1.625 ph current, 400 step rev 50% idle.)
  • Plasma on/off is handled by a 5v breakout box from the signal generator.

I have been without an operable table for about a year now and my own research has only turned up discussion on motors and drivers, i have not found anything on replacing the signal generator. Any and all guidance or feedback on how to get back up and running the fastest way possible is appreciated. ]]> CNC Plasma runlevel6 http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=597 DESCRIBING CNC (Computer Numerical Control) http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=596&goto=newpost Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:21:17 GMT *CNC (Computer Numerical Control) * CNC (Computer Numerical Control) involved the study and practice of programming computer codes into machines... CNC (Computer Numerical Control)

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) involved the study and practice of programming computer codes into machines fabricating metal parts. Aircraft fuselage and wings, screws, nuts and bolts, tools and equipments and all metal fabrication were products of CNC.
Today, Computers programmed with CAD (computer aided design software) provided partial automation of machines manufacturing metal design products. Cutters and lather were the forefront of CNC processes.

Cutting tools such as laser beams and water jets are able to precision cut any hard metal according to desired shaped and dimension. Lasers which are either gas or electrically generated can cut deeply through metal with great precision and accuracy. On the other hand, water jets can make a deep cut through metal without causing high temperature around the material. It uses high pressure water jet to bore and cut through metals except diamonds. The water jet is then mixed with garnet or granite particles to form a concentrated stream of water.

Precision parts machining involved knurling, cutting, and drilling of a metal cylinder and rotating it at high speed while a pointed and sharp comes into contact with metal surface. Lathe has able to produce objects with uniformity at less time. This type of process are diamond turning, CNC turning parts manufacturing includes different types such as Diamond turning, wood turning, and segmented turning produced Likewise, CNC lathed parts several known objects such as cheese pieces, toys, bells, and all cylindrical objects requiring intricate and uniform designs.

Through the modern tools of CNC, manufacturing processes was able to modernized precision parts machining resulting to precision machining products such as tools, door knobs, and automotive machine parts, medical and industrial equipments. ]]> Classified Johnny Curtis http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=596 DIY Vacuum shoe http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=595&goto=newpost Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:45:40 GMT here are a few pics of my DIY Vacuum shoe complete w/LEDs for better tool visibility. I did this before on my D-I rockcliff build, look at the pics... here are a few pics of my DIY Vacuum shoe complete w/LEDs for better tool visibility. I did this before on my D-I rockcliff build, look at the pics in my album
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]]> Vacuum Dust Control gadget47 http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=595 limit switches...revisited http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=593&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:09:34 GMT Hi All I know this is an old talked about subject, and most of the solutions are posted. I wanted to share some info that is working well for me... Hi All
I know this is an old talked about subject, and most of the solutions are posted. I wanted to share some info that is working well for me and might also help someone.
I built a Joe's Hybrid R&P 4x4 this past year and finally got around to making the limit switch housings so I could set up the machine w/homeing/limit abilities. I used 20 gauge wire and made a "twisted Pair" of wires for each switch. I set the de-bounce in the mach3 general tab to 30 and set the switch input option to normaly closed . This (to me) is a safer way to set the switches, as breaking the closed circuit is more reliable than trying to make the circuit. I also put an oscilloscope on the pins at the 4x board and checked for noise and bounce- it doesn't need any filtering because it's super quiet.:cool:
so, to sum it up, Route the wires away from your stepper motor wires, make the limit switch wires a "twisted Pair" (chuck the wires in a drill and twist them- at least 24 turns per foot- while pulling the wire tight from ,say, your vice) and solder the connections at the switch. I normaly solder the ends going into the terminal blocks of the control board- they get a better bite on the wire this way. I have not needed pull up/down circuitry to get rid of noise- the twisted wires do that.



I am still useing my original 4x rockcliff board (not v10 model) with the trim pots set at 3.20v (see picture in my album). I did recently burn out a power supply, but in all fairness to the ps, I had the voltage cranked up to 30v for the past year.
Thanks for listening. ]]> Rockcliff Drives gadget47 http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=593 BobCAD CAM V24 Standard BobART Feature List http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=592&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:09:12 GMT *File Import:* CAD – Legacy BobCAD-CAM DXF – AutoCAD DWG – AutoCAD STEP,STP – Step IGES,IGS – Iges SAT – ACIS 3DM –... File Import:
CAD – Legacy BobCAD-CAM
DXF – AutoCAD
DWG – AutoCAD
STEP,STP – Step
IGES,IGS – Iges
SAT – ACIS
3DM – Rhino
X_T – Parasolids
X_B – Parasolids
SLDPRT – SolidWorks
BBCD – BobCAD-CAM
STL – Stereo Lithography

File Export:
IGES, IGS – Iges
DXF – AutoCAD
DWG – AutoCAD
SAT – ACIS
3DM – Rhino
STP,STEP – Step
BBCD – BobCAD
STL – Stereo Lithography

Surface Creation & Tools:
Planar
Skin
Revolve
Offset
3 Edge
4 Edge
Cross Section
Extrude Curve
Extrude Surface
Multi-Sided Patch
Fillet
Extend Surface
Intersection Curves
Un-Trim Surface
Break Surface
Sweep

Solid Creation & Editing:
Sphere
Cube
Cone
Cylinder
Torus
Fillet
Add, Subtract and Intersect Booleans

CAM Features:
Wizard Driven CAM
Tool Database
Speed & Feed Calculator
Save & Load Tool Path Setting
Associative CAM
Tool Path Simulation

CAM Tool Paths:

2.5 Axis Drilling
2.5 Axis Profiling
2.5 Axis Pocketing
2.5 Axis Facing
2.5 Axis Chamfer
2.5 Axis Threading
2.5 & 3 Axis Engraving
2D & 3 Axis Plunge Roughing
3D Slice Planer
3D Slice Spiral
3D Engraving
3D Slice Radial
3D Z-Level Roughing
3D Z-Level Finishing
4 Axis Indexing
4 Axis Wrapping

BobART:

Import – .BMP, JPEG, PNG, EPS, AI, PDF
Photo Embossing,Turn Pictures directly into 3D Relief/Embossed models
Raster to Vector Conversion
Embossing & Debossing
Emboss from dxf files or solid shapes
Texturing
Mirroring
Lettering
V Carving
2-Rail Sweep
Sculpting
Smoothing
Material/Texture Selection
Attached Thumbnails
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Attached Files
File Type: zip BobART Sample.zip (3.95 MB)
File Type: zip BobART Sample STL.zip (3.15 MB)
]]> BobCAD-CAM aldepoalo http://www.rockcliffmachine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=592