1 Attachment(s)
CAM for CNC code for cutting trispokedovetiles (3-spoke dovetailing tiles)
For Computer-Aided Manufacturing of trispokedovetiles, I've published a Javascript web-page -
Trispokedovetiles: CNC code to cut tiles web-page G-code generator [LINK]
- which generates Computer Numerical Control (CNC) code which I've tested with CNC Simulator Pro [LINK] but not on a real CNC cutter as yet.
In case you are wondering what a "trispokedovetile" is, it is the name I have given to a class of 3-spoke dovetailing tiles which fit together like this.
Attachment 19833
Re: CAM for CNC code for cutting trispokedovetiles (3-spoke dovetailing tiles)
Then image says Hexagon 100%
The parameters ask for a mm input????
Re: CAM for CNC code for cutting trispokedovetiles (3-spoke dovetailing tiles)
Mach 3 can't read the code.
Re: CAM for CNC code for cutting trispokedovetiles (3-spoke dovetailing tiles)
I edited out the stuff that stuffs Mach3's interpreter and the path looks OK but if I use a cutter with a positive diameter then there will be gaps of cutter width between the tiles once assembled, so for a router to cut the tiles they would need to be arranged as densely on the material as possible but not in their assembled pattern.
- Nick
1 Attachment(s)
Re: CAM for CNC code for cutting trispokedovetiles (3-spoke dovetailing tiles)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
magicniner
Then image says Hexagon 100%
My method for specifying a particular shape of trispokedovetile is to specify the "CIRCLE" length as a percentage of the "HEXAGON" length, as illustrated in this diagram.
This image shows trispokedovetiles with CIRCLE = 130% - in other words the length of the diameter of the (partially drawn) circles is 1.3 times the maximal diameter of the (partially drawn) hexagons.
Attachment 19844
Quote:
Originally Posted by
magicniner
The parameters ask for a mm input????
Yes of course. My CAM webpage needs to know what actual sizes are intended to be cut to generate the correct CNC code.
So you type in what is the length in mm of the HEXAGON maximal diameter, what length will be equal to "100%"?
It's like if I tell you "the width of a rectangle is to be 100% and the length 130%".
Fine but before you can cut the rectangle from a sheet you need to know what length 100% is to be in mm.
Re: CAM for CNC code for cutting trispokedovetiles (3-spoke dovetailing tiles)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John S
Mach 3 can't read the code.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
magicniner
I edited out the stuff that stuffs Mach3's interpreter
Yes there's text in there which is needed for CNC Simulator Pro, which won't mean anything to a CNC machine and should be edited out.
#region
$Millimeters
$AddEmbeddedRegPart 9
$SetCuttingWidth 1.2
#endregion
But I include it in my webpage code generation in case anyone wants to test the code on CNC Simulator Pro, which is the only place I've been able to test it.
UPDATE: I've updated my webpage to include a yes/no "+ simulator commands" option which if set to "no" will automatically edit out the text intended for CNC Simulator Pro.
Re: CAM for CNC code for cutting trispokedovetiles (3-spoke dovetailing tiles)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
magicniner
and the path looks OK but if I use a cutter with a positive diameter then there will be gaps of cutter width between the tiles once assembled, so for a router to cut the tiles they would need to be arranged as densely on the material as possible but not in their assembled pattern.
- Nick
Yes that makes sense.
So to aid cutting with a milling router bit I should add a new code generator option for "densely arranged" as opposed to "as assembled".
I have read that with laser cutting, the kerf width can be of the order of 0.5mm or even narrower, is that right?
So it might it be the case that for some cutting methods, such as laser cutting, if the kerf width is narrow enough, the code as is, would allow the tiles to be cut in their assembled pattern?
Such interlocking tiles probably require to be slightly smaller than the mathematical shape to allow for tolerances because if the tiles are in any way too big, they definitely won't assemble wheres being slightly too small may be necessary?
On the other hand, if cutting very small tiles, then a laser cut kerf width would become relatively bigger and perhaps then the undersized tiles would not interlock together, being too loose, meaning that once again, a "densely arranged" cutting option would be needed?
Re: CAM for CNC code for cutting trispokedovetiles (3-spoke dovetailing tiles)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Peter Dow
It's like if I tell you "the width of a rectangle is to be 100% and the length 130%".
Fine but before you can cut the rectangle from a sheet you need to know what length 100% is to be in mm.
Now you explain it it makes no sense at all.
What about needing a near zero tool diameter?
This code kind of works for a single tile,
================================================== ====
(CNC program to cut Trispokedovetiles by Peter Dow.)
(© Peter Dow. Caution - no warranty! Use at your discretion.)
(CIRCLE % = 118%)
(HEXAGON Length = 20 mm)
(Number of Rows = 1)
(Number of Tiles per row = 1)
(CNC Code BASIC)
G00 X6.34 Y90.00 (Fast traverse)
M22 (start cutting)
G4 P100 (dwell 100 milliseconds)
G01 X6.34 Y88.20 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G03 X16.56 Y94.10 I0.00 J11.80 (Arc interpolation)
G01 X15.00 Y95.00 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G01 X15.00 Y96.80 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G02 X25.22 Y90.90 I0.00 J-11.80 (Arc interpolation)
G01 X23.66 Y90.00 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G01 X22.10 Y90.90 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G03 X22.10 Y79.10 I10.22 J-5.90 (Arc interpolation)
G01 X23.66 Y80.00 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G01 X25.22 Y79.10 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G02 X15.00 Y73.20 I-10.22 J5.90 (Arc interpolation)
G01 X15.00 Y75.00 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G01 X16.56 Y75.90 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G03 X6.34 Y81.80 I-10.22 J-5.90 (Arc interpolation)
G01 X6.34 Y80.00 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G01 X4.78 Y79.10 (Linear Feed Traverse)
G02 X4.78 Y90.90 I10.22 J5.90 (Arc interpolation)
G01 X6.34 Y90.00 (Linear Feed Traverse)
M00 (Stop cutting)
G00 X0.00 Y100.00 (Fast traverse)
M30 (Program End)
=============================================
except that the inside corners will have the radius of the cutter so the square outside corners will not fit together with them.
EDIT- yes, probably good for a laser cutter which uses G-Code, but the paths will not work for rotary tool machines because square outside corners will not fit radius inside corners
Re: CAM for CNC code for cutting trispokedovetiles (3-spoke dovetailing tiles)
Does the package allow for rounding external corners to match the inevitable rounded internal corners?
It all reminds me of this, again based on deformed hexagons but with no symmetry (although in that case the guy took a very roundabout route to generate his gcode). Both designs are necessarily a bit wasteful as you cannot cut the interlocked figures and you just have to try to fit them on the material as best you can. I recreated this latter design from scratch to use for sets of coasters which will then interlock across a table-top. The design in this thread would work quite well for the same kinds of things.
Re: CAM for CNC code for cutting trispokedovetiles (3-spoke dovetailing tiles)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
magicniner
What about needing a near zero tool diameter?
...
except that the inside corners will have the radius of the cutter so the square outside corners will not fit together with them.
EDIT- yes, probably good for a laser cutter which uses G-Code, but the paths will not work for rotary tool machines because square outside corners will not fit radius inside corners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Neale
Does the package allow for rounding external corners to match the inevitable rounded internal corners?
What you see on that webpage is all that I have at the moment.
It is what it is and if that is of aid to someone in manufacturing some things in some ways but not other things in other ways then that's OK with me because I am not offering any warranty with the software.