Newbie Novice

[WoodKnot]

Thanks routerdriver -

That's effectively what i have decided to do. Whilst i fully appreciate what is being said here - the machines here are serious builds, being engineered on big box section, huge completed weights for relatively small machines. I do have a good understanding of engineering, but think the machines on here are way, way over spec for my needs. Whilst many on here would baulk at the open builds site, I do feel that that site is better suited to my aspirations and requirements.

I am not going to do a 'yes, but....'

Decision made!

[routerdriver]

I saw the reference to Easel,never used it myself and not very likely to.I do however use Freecad and the associated Path workbench,which has a post processor for LinuxCNC.Which means that the software costs precisely nothing.Perhaps not the most intuitive software around,but if you dig around on youtube there are some useful videos to be seen.

[WoodKnot]

Thanks routerdriver - i have had a good look, however, many of them need quite a bit of knowledge about the entire process and was looking for something that would enable me to create, hit the 'carve' button and off we go!!

[routerdriver]

Thanks routerdriver - i have had a good look, however, many of them need quite a bit of knowledge about the entire process and was looking for something that would enable me to create, hit the 'carve' button and off we go!!

You may be in for a shock then.Any program will require an amount of input to function.They may be located in all sorts of places,but they all need similar information regarding cutter geometry and feed speeds.The most basic letter carving program I have used is F-engrave and you need to supply tool geometry and feed rates.

[routerdriver]

Thanks routerdriver - i have had a good look, however, many of them need quite a bit of knowledge about the entire process and was looking for something that would enable me to create, hit the 'carve' button and off we go!!

You may be in for a shock then.Any program will require an amount of input to function.They may be located in all sorts of places,but they all need similar information regarding cutter geometry and feed speeds.The most basic letter carving program I have used is F-engrave and you need to supply tool geometry and feed rates.

[WoodKnot]

Thanks routerdriver, ironically, you put in your cutter dimensions, intended depth of cut, router type etc and it works out all the feed rate etc. It even shows you if use different sizes of cutters what it will miss out on the final carve because the bit is too big etc

[JAZZCNC]

Thanks routerdriver, ironically, you put in your cutter dimensions, intended depth of cut, router type etc and it works out all the feed rate etc. It even shows you if use different sizes of cutters what it will miss out on the final carve because the bit is too big etc

Do you honestly think it's that easy.? IF you do then you are in cuckoo land.

No software and I mean NO software, not even software costing £10k+ can work out the correct feed rates and spindle speeds as there are far too many variables involved.

The best they can do is offer speeds and feeds based on tool parameters just like a speed and feeds calculator does, these are notoriously way off most of the time because they are based on industrial machines and spindles.
Anyone who has used one will tell you at best they are a guide which you use and tweak based on your own machine's strengths and weaknesses. At worst they are miles off and you'll just snap cutters like carrots if you follow their suggestions.

Speeds n feeds is a whole learning curve in its self and each machine, cutter, and material combination will change the settings. This is why what works for one person often doesn't work for others as there are just too many variables that come into play.

[WoodKnot]

I will let you know how i get on :-)

[dazp1976]

I will let you know how i get on :-)

It'll likely base everything on trying to run flat out and the machine will shatter.

I have a small and a mid sized bench mills.
The small one ate itself even when running at 1/4 of what a program suggested for aluminium, and that was only at a 1mm doc with a 8mm cutter!.
I still haven't even got fully to grips with SFM, DOC, WOC, Feed, Chip load, etc... etc.... Then you have cutter material to take into account. Then there's flute count....

[WoodKnot]

Hi dazp1976 -

It changes the speed and feed rate according to the size of cutter, depth of cut, material being cut.

If the software was that flawed, no one would use it.. Its widely used in the hobby sector

As i have been using an inverted router table for many years, experience of size of cutter and depth of cut and feed rate is reasonably straight forward - but it does in fact calculate these elements. I will of course check the parameters prior to making any cut.

I presume you always use upcut cutters for rapid clearing of bits as oppose to normal routing.

I always buy good quality cutters and blades and even crap machines can be transformed by using good blades and cutters