Anything Manufacturing - Small to Medium Scale Metal Work (CAD/CAM included!)

Awe that sucks.

A ton of software applications are moving that way unfortunately.

 

Free SVG converter was the name of the program.

I just did this one to see how well it could do a rendition..

 

Of course I need I need to figure how to import SVG files into F360 now.

 

Just insert it -



It can be done in a new or pre-existing drawing.

 

I figured as much. I already closed F360. Leaving me some fun for later.

 

Gotcha.

 

https://www.photopea.com/its an online photoshop alternative, messed around with it some and seems pretty powerful

 

Sharing a few more videos I made for the FB group.

One that covers the Z-Axis disassembly for Langmuir tables -

https://youtu.be/ORqxU897-1s?si=qNOhSZt8n5UqnzoF

And another that covers the Z-Axis tramming process for Langmuir tables -

https://youtu.be/rg9Iy2M3930?si=U7DQjEjYq9RfbS4Y

 

@Zebinator

Did you see this?



Since you have access to a mill, figured this would be easy for you.

An attachment for the fingers on your brake allowing you to square up your work material.

 

I did not! More fun things to make.

Honestly my shop time has been a serious issue. Have not made a single damn thing with the brake yet. Partially time and partially haven’t pulled the trigger on the plasma. But I’m hoping I’ll get some time over the holiday to play.

 

For the last 2 months I've been cutting a lot of parts, so much that I had to completely clean out my table all over again







Had to do a rush job because what was supposed to be us going to visit my family, my mom, brother, and his fiancé are coming over to visit us.

They're expecting their first kid (my first niece) so I wanted to make something they can put up in the nursery. They're going for a bear theme.





I'm hoping they like it.

 

Awesome! They gonnaoce it!

 

For your viewing pleasure -

https://youtu.be/__Zxhp9feIg

 

So, I know not too many people run CNC tables but I thought I'd provide a file as well as a how-to for Langmuir users (whether you're new to one, or already own one).

The attached file is that of a dry run, but rather than jogging in any X or Y direction, this test specifically deals with your Z axis.

When you first load it into Firecontrol, you will be prompted with a "THC activation points..." error which you will click out of. This is because the file itself will not initiate the firing of your torch. What it will do is establish cut height by cycling through the initial height sensing sequence, then jog until it reaches what will be your cut height.

The provided file utilizes the default values of 0.15" pierce height, .02" spring back, and .06" cut height.

So why am I even posting this?

Well, I'm often helping new (even seasoned) owners on how to establish the proper cut height for their machines. The problem is that one's programmed cut height does not equal physical cut height. This is easily figured out though by running this program, and using feeler gauges to measure what your actual height is.

Let's say you run the file, and measure a physical cut height of .035". The difference from .06" (target) and .035" (actual) is .025". Since we are too low of a cut height, we need to add this difference to our programmed cut height for a new value of .085".

To do this, simply open said file in notepad and make this change.



Save your file, re-open it in Firecontrol, run and verify and you should have your newly established program height you will use for post processing.

I'm often going over this with people about 2-3 times a week, but it's enough that I figured maybe someone here can benefit from it as well.

I'll keep posting videos and/or how-to's as I put them together.

 

Before I forget, the above cut height was just an example.

Most plasma cutters call for a 0.06" cut height, but I believe the Hypertherm Sync models run either 0.12" or 0.14" cut height.

My

$699 PrimeWeld CUT60 60Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc PT60 Torch Plasma Cutter 110V/220V Dual Voltage 3 Year Warranty

PrimeWeld CUT60 and Hypertherm 45XP ran at 0.06".

 

I have a lot to learn…

 

Same, I learn as I go not to mention I never went to college

 

Well, your Bear is awesome and I'm sure they loved it.
My wife bought me a tabletop CNC mill for early Xmas gift, so I engraved a bunch of cutting boards as presents for others. I can also replace the spindle with laser engraver / cutter. I am hoping it will machine aluminum cleanly, haven't tried it yet.

 

Nice!

That's an awesome setup there as CNC milling is something I'd love to get into.

Even for just small parts, if I can do aluminum I'd be stoked.

More details?

 

It is an AnoleX 4030 Evo Ultra. 400mm x 300mm cutting area. I also bought several upgrades that haven't been installed (bigger closed loop motors and upgraded spindle, + Laser head that can be mounted in place of the spindle, also has 4th axis capability which I have not bought yet). I chose this due to dovetail linear rails on all three axis, most have rods instead of rails. That said it is still a little lighter duty than I wanted. So, I already told my wife it will be a struggle for me to make things on the machine vs. make the machine better by making new side plates, endplates, etc. It runs GRBL control system which I am finding out is pretty limited. No extra I/O and pretty limited Gcode commands.

My desire was to set it up with an automatic tool changer and be able to run it unattended. Currently that does not look possible. So long term I will likely try to use this to make a stronger machine with a different control system that can do automatic tool changes and leave this as a laser machine.

I was previously an Automation Engineer working on machines and robotic systems, mechanical design and programming and had a Bridgeport mill with Prototrak 2 axis CNC system. Was pretty cool. I have many years on SolidWorks, but so far really struggling to find CAM software I like (without spending hundreds or thousands).