cutting convex flutes on oval lid

[gcox2]

My friend and I are attempting to cut some convex flutes on and oval bowl lid. He wrote the g-code for a 4.75" x 8.75" oval lid and we machined it on his tormach cnc mill. We would like to do this on my Shopbot but we can't quite master it. I know shopbot reads g-code but it's not happening.

I have Aspire 3d and am wondering if I can just draw an autocad dwg of the oval showing the toolpaths and import a dxf file and have the software program write the code for me? Help!

[mitch_prest]

not quite sure what you asking help with.. the code, aspire or the piece itself... may be why the lack of responses... a pictures always helps...

m

[burchbot]

Gary has posted on the Vectric forum
http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=8276
I have offered to post pictures, file for him if he would email it to me.
I’m sure someone could help him but Gary needs to understand that people are not going to work up solutions only to have him say that not it. We would only be guessing at this point as to what he wants.
Dan

[erik_f]

SB does not read gcode. I believe there is a converter somewhere. If your homie did it on his Tormach...then you should already have a drawing of it. If so import it into Aspire and tool path it and export it with SB post processor.

[gcox2]

Thank you for your responses. I have been trying to get a picture of the oval lid we machined on my friends tormach. I think I have the digital photo now so will attempt to send it again. I will also send the dxf drawing that I imported into aspire to try to have that program spit out some code. If I have trouble again I will send my stuff to Dan.

Sorry for the grief! You've all been so patient. Thankyou for bearing with me.

Gary

[gcox2]

Let's give this another go! ok I think that I've attached the dxf and the jpg that I want you to see. remember that we've run this lid on the tormach cnc after my friend hand wrote the g-code for the piece. I want to run it on the SB so I drew the oval on autocad, made a dxf and imported it to aspire. I was able to make a toolpath that looked ok on the screen but when I tried to air cut it, it stopped on the first line of code that aspire wrote??????

[gcox2]

oh oh the dxf file didn't attach! let's try this......

[burchbot]

Hi Gary
The first thing that came to my mind is you may have picked the wrong post processor for your ShopBot
Dan

[bill_l]

I believe what I've done here will work for you as well. Simple two rail sweeps. It's a mounting for my kitchen light.

Bill

[gcox2]

Dan

I've basically used the same Post Processor for all my runs it is: shopbot(toolchange)(w/speed))(*.sbp). Iv'e looked on the partworks "processor list" and see there are several???? How do I know which one to use when I save a toolpath?

Also........Bill....I see your light frame and I viewed a closup (very nice!) but I'M at a loss where to go from here? (Sorry I'm such a rookie!)

[bill_l]

Gary,

Does your Shopbot have a tool changer and are you set up to change your spindle speeds via the software? If not, use the ShopBot_Arc_Inch.pp and it should work for you.

Bill

[tmerrill]

Gary,

Dan and Bill are giving you good advice regarding the post processor.

If you get past that point, here is a set of vectors created from your .dxf file. Picture showing setup gives the values I used to turn vectors into a 3D component.

Just in case it helps.

Tim

[myxpykalix]

Tim,
I am trying these vectors in a different program and looking at your picture I am trying to figure out how you isolate the outside flat lip of the design from the round ends of the design since the vectors are connected to the whole design?
Looking at your picture here I don't understand the signigance of the inner round circle? It would seem I would need to have the outside circle and the tips of the round ends isolated or am i just not understanding this design?

[tmerrill]

Jack,

Tell me what program you own and I can help you better.

Tim

[waynelocke]

First off, the flutes in your pic are concave and not convex and hence can be cut with a ballnose bit of the right diameter with a machine along vector command.

Draw a circle and a radius then copy vectors in array command for how ever many vectors you calculate you need. Here is a screen shot of a quick Aspire exercise. I have done this for radiances on crosses.

[burchbot]

Gary
Have any of these posts been a help to you?
People have taken the time to respond to your post.
Is it too much to ask that you let them know if they have been a help or not?
Dan

[ken_rychlik]

I think everyone is missing the obvious.

You have the file in G code.

A shopbot will run off of G code.

Kenneth

[gcox2]

I'm going to start over again with little baby steps. Here we go!
Is it possible to write a line of code in shopbot that will move the cutter some distance in x and some distance in negative z at a specified radius?
This is the first question....when this is answered I have other questions!

Gary

[gcox2]

Well, I did it again! I asked another question before I read thed second page of responses.......
Tim
I will gived this a go. I'll let you know the results.

Jack
The cut around the outside of the oval is deeper than the flute that comes into it. The flute that starts at the middle of the oval begins adbout .75" from the center.

Tim

I have Autocad, Corel Draw, Aspire, and Partworks 2 and 3d.

Wayne
The flutes in the oval lid are indeed not convex but actually straight. I want to make them convex.

Dan

I was not being rude or not thankful. I've had some other things to attend to so have been unable to respond to all of the great help I've received. As soon as I can, I'll see which is most appropriate for the task at hand. When I arrive at a solution I'll publish the results. If I don't solve this it will not be for any lack of solutions from fellow shopbotters!

Thanks again for most of you being patient with me