Aspire 4.0 and the new drag knife gadget

[donek]

The guys at Vectric are releasing their new versions. I was sent the new drag knife gadget to play with and test today. The tool works great and all within the cam software. Below are some screen shots.

I started testing with some simple shapes.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-11h5ggOcfxA/UTaHZTVINmI/AAAAAAAABCo/WnwHJKwkk4Q/s1363/SP32-20130305-112830.jpg width="640"

The tool is installed under gadgets
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v0FoCPshwMk/UTaHZvcIP4I/AAAAAAAABC8/PNXui-1K0qY/s1375/SP32-20130305-112846.jpg width="640"

The fill in sheet is similar to the one on our excel program
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dpNeo5F2a9w/UTaHZh-gugI/AAAAAAAABC0/2T1QwUFtOrM/s1131/SP32-20130305-112902.jpg width="640"

The result is a tool path with all the swivel actions added to it.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zYTEXPrtW7A/UTaHaNVREbI/AAAAAAAABDA/izle4H_192g/s1334/SP32-20130305-112937.jpg width="640"

[donek]

I ran some test cuts with a toolpath created with the gadget and it works perfect.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ctAqFs3-6GM/UTZ_q1R1QuI/AAAAAAAABA4/QS1wZvtMlfc/s794/0305131625b.jpg

[gerryv]

Sean,

Are you still selling your drag knife? If yes, do you have a webpage for it with purchase info?

Again, if yes, when do you expect to have a good evaluation of how it works with the new Aspire gadget?

Thanks much,
GerryV

[donek]

The web site is www.donektools.com or you can purchase it from Shopbot.

The vectric gadget works extremely well. There are a couple of very minor modifications I have recommended to vectric, but there is no reason I would not use it for my own work right away.

[billp]

Sweet !!!!!

[Brady Watson]

Very cool!

Where can I get that gadget? I looked in my Aspire 4.0 stuff & it is not there...also on the Vectric forum.

-B

[donek]

Very cool!

Where can I get that gadget? I looked in my Aspire 4.0 stuff & it is not there...also on the Vectric forum.

-B

They will be making a few more adjustments before making it available on their site. I will post a link as soon as it is available for download.

[FSICM]

gadget to work in partworks also? Have knive never used :(

[donek]

gadget to work in partworks also? Have knive never used :(

As I understand it, it will work in new versions of v-carve and partworks. They are changing how gadgets are created and run in order to make it easier for anyone to create them. As a result, it will only work with newer versions.

[khaos]

Has this gadget been released?

[coryatjohn]

I have it loaded and operating in the version of Aspire (4.012) I bought last week. I just tried it and it works as expected. Great!

[donek]

Has this gadget been released?

It is available with the new version of Aspire and will be with Vcarve. Not sure when that came out or will come out.

[feinddj]

Brady,

Look under Create fillets.

David

[adrianm]

Brady,

Look under Create fillets.

David

The drag knife fillet creation is not the same thing as the drag knife toolpath creation. That's on the Gadget menu.

[Brady Watson]

Yep...got it & yes, it is an actual Gadget, not just a filet.

I'm sure that Sean will put a link up on his site when it is 100% ready for prime time.

-B

[coryatjohn]

Brady,

It must be "ready" or at least some what ready. It was included in the Aspire version (4.012) that I loaded last week.

[donek]

Yep...got it & yes, it is an actual Gadget, not just a filet.

I'm sure that Sean will put a link up on his site when it is 100% ready for prime time.

-B

The last time I spoke with Vectric, it was not going to be available as a separate download. It will just come packaged with Aspire and Vcarve Pro. I think this is because the implementation of Gadgets has changed and this one will only work under this new system.

[Brady Watson]

See what happens when you are on the road for a 3 week stretch? You miss updates...:o

-B

[larry_high]

I am a bit confused...I downloaded Aspire 4 a couple of weeks ago and its 4.006. Have been following the gadgets post to load the drag knife gadget.
I see where Aspire that was downloaded last week is 4.012 (?) with the gadgets included. I have also checked the web site where the gadgets are going to be posted and some are there, but the drag knife is not there.
What am I missing?

Thanks
Larry

[coryatjohn]

Larry,

Have you tried updating Aspire using the "help-check for update" option inside Aspire?

[Brady Watson]

Larry,
Contact Vectric and they will get you straightened out.

-B

[donek]

I am a bit confused...I downloaded Aspire 4 a couple of weeks ago and its 4.006. Have been following the gadgets post to load the drag knife gadget.
I see where Aspire that was downloaded last week is 4.012 (?) with the gadgets included. I have also checked the web site where the gadgets are going to be posted and some are there, but the drag knife is not there.
What am I missing?

Thanks
Larry

It is only being distributed with the DVD they mail out. If you've received the DVD, just install it from there.

[larry_high]

got it...thanks
Larry

[khaos]

230 bucks is a scosh high. seems like a buck fifty would really be more palatable. I am just having a real problem justifying this. :(

I mean its almost costly enough that I want to make my own. Over 200 I guess is the straw...

Anyway, just talking out loud. No big deal. It looks cool.

[donek]

230 bucks is a scosh high. seems like a buck fifty would really be more palatable. I am just having a real problem justifying this. :(

I mean its almost costly enough that I want to make my own. Over 200 I guess is the straw...

Anyway, just talking out loud. No big deal. It looks cool.

There are tolerances in 4 axis in a tool like this that are extremely critical. Until you have produced and used several tools, it's difficult to ascertain what's truly important. It looks rather simple on the surface, but the reality is different.

[khaos]

There are tolerances in 4 axis in a tool like this that are extremely critical. Until you have produced and used several tools, it's difficult to ascertain what's truly important. It looks rather simple on the surface, but the reality is different.

I do not mean to de-edify the tool itself at all. Every single person that I have spoken to is over the top happy with the tool. I haven't heard one complaint. So I am confident it is a solid and well designed tool. I just wish it were something I had a job to pay for I guess. Any chance we'll see a 199 sale? :rolleyes:

[donek]

I do not mean to de-edify the tool itself at all. Every single person that I have spoken to is over the top happy with the tool. I haven't heard one complaint. So I am confident it is a solid and well designed tool. I just wish it were something I had a job to pay for I guess. Any chance we'll see a 199 sale? :rolleyes:

I'm sorry the price seems high to you. As the manufacturer, I'm not in a position that allows me to undercut my vendors, so I can't put them on sale.

I understand that finances are tight for everyone. As a small company we struggle to save up for the items we need/want just as much as every other small operation. I can often find something that I can forgo in order to purchase something I really want. For the $30 difference between $199 to $239, you could probably find something that's a luxury and cut it from your expenses for a week to find that cash.

I hope you're able to purchase a knife soon and can show us all the cool things you produce with it.

[coryatjohn]

Sean,

You might consider doing what many have done in the electronics and computer world have done. Sell an OEM version with no box. Your box has to take a lot of effort to make. Just drop that, along with $30 and sell them that way.

I like the tool and it's well made. I thought the price was reasonable. I see I could make one myself but like the KentCNC dust foot, I prefer to help support those who have spent the effort and time to design and perfect a great product.

[donek]

Sean,

You might consider doing what many have done in the electronics and computer world have done. Sell an OEM version with no box. Your box has to take a lot of effort to make. Just drop that, along with $30 and sell them that way.

I like the tool and it's well made. I thought the price was reasonable. I see I could make one myself but like the KentCNC dust foot, I prefer to help support those who have spent the effort and time to design and perfect a great product.

I've actually got the box down to about 4 minutes (machine time) and 5 minutes (labor) and we use scrap lumber from our snowboard production. I think any other sort of packaging is going to run about the same price, unless we wrap it in paper. The box actually has a bigger purpose. It's common to store this tool with a blade installed. If it's in a rack along with other bits, or sitting on a desk, it's quite easy to cut yourself on the blade. We find storing it in the box is extremely useful. I think our lawyer might cringe at selling it without the box.

[khaos]

I'm sorry the price seems high to you. As the manufacturer, I'm not in a position that allows me to undercut my vendors, so I can't put them on sale.

I understand that finances are tight for everyone. As a small company we struggle to save up for the items we need/want just as much as every other small operation. I can often find something that I can forgo in order to purchase something I really want. For the $30 difference between $199 to $239, you could probably find something that's a luxury and cut it from your expenses for a week to find that cash.

I hope you're able to purchase a knife soon and can show us all the cool things you produce with it.

I understand. And I know its the psychological idea of > 200 that I am struggling with. :o

[coryatjohn]

I think our lawyer might cringe at selling it without the box.

Lawyers - got to love 'em.

[myxpykalix]

John,
You seem to be a bit like me. Have you ever heard the old saying "pennywise and pound foolish"?

I'm famous for being cheap but we both fit the description in the above quote where we spend THOUSANDS for a Shopbot but have a problem spending over a couple hundred for this tool.

I generally NEVER have a problem spending tons of money on tools or things that i want. In my particular case I justify it this way....

I don't smoke, don't drink, don't take drugs, my kids are grown and gone, other then taking care of an ill parent I don't have any major expenses so if i want something i buy it.

This should help you get motivated to justify the purchase:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DIETlxquzY&list=PL650E477E6E40E6C6

[cabnet636]

Once said "Man who needs a tool and does not buy it,, will soon find he has paid for it and does not own it "