First engraving test :)

[Davek0974]

Yes, Mach3 and 2010 screen-set.

A file would be good, thanks

[John S]

OK, I'll sort you something out tonight unless you want something specific like text and size.
Screen set will not have anything to do with it, we use a custom one anyway with everything we need on one screen.

Email me details of the cutters, included angle and tip flat as it alters the appearance on V carve files if not matching. When they match you get a sharp corner to the text, if incorrect you get an indented radii in each corner.

john [at] stevenson-engineers.co.uk

[Davek0974]

Just had a look at the code and it is indeed made up of thousands of lines of straight cuts.

I did a quick file in Illustrator then imported that into sheet-cam and with the same tool it now creates I/J arcs so in theory at least that file should cut a whole lot smoother I think.

[Boyan Silyavski]

Yes, many times this is the reason, the line thing instead of curves. I always magnify before generating path, to make sure all is smooth .

I would say also for fine engraving to have the Z0 using probing with the V bit itself is the best method. That, and knowing the exact tip size.

[Davek0974]

Yes, i always probe with the actual tool.

I tried cutting the Illustrator file tonight, yes it cut far smoother but it was generated as two paths which gave me a letter with an inverted V in the middle ;)

A settings issue, wrong font, wrong code generator, other problem?

Lots to learn here...

[Boyan Silyavski]

I think Vectric Aspire / V carve/ beats all when we are speaking about signs and engraving

[Davek0974]

Blooming expensive though :(

[Boyan Silyavski]

what are you using now?

[Davek0974]

My CNC world consists of CAD - either Deltacad or Illustrator, CAM - SheetCam, CNC - Mach3

Apart from some free programs that i downloaded for messing about with that's about it.

Vectric V-Carve was about £400 I think - a lot of cash for something that is unlikely to bring cash in via sales I think.

[Clive S]

My CNC world consists of CAD - either Deltacad or Illustrator, CAM - SheetCam, CNC - Mach3

Apart from some free programs that i downloaded for messing about with that's about it.

Vectric V-Carve was about £400 I think - a lot of cash for something that is unlikely to bring cash in via sales I think.

Yes but you can use it to import dxf files and cam them with it.