Drag Knife Tutorial

[donek]

I've created a new video tutorial that shows how to program your drag knife with the new Vectric Gadget. This demonstration covers programming and cutting both vinyl and coroplast.

http://youtu.be/fOf_tCefl6Q

I'll be generating more tutorials in the upcoming weeks. For more information about the Donek Tools Drag Knife and this gadget, talk to:

Shopbot Tools and Vectric

or visit the donek tools web site: www.donektools.com

[steve_g]

Sean... the video stops after 27 sec. ???

SG

[adrianm]

Works ok for me. It switches to an Aspire session about there.

[donek]

Sean... the video stops after 27 sec. ???

SG

If you have your audio turned down, it may seem that way. I narrate a bit with the video parked on a vectric screen. If that doesn't clear it up, try a different browser.

[steve_g]

Works now... aren't computers fun!

SG

[khaos]

OK, quick question. How do you insure that the inside radii are not too small for your cutter? Surely we don't manually check every vector?:confused:

If this has been covered please forgive me and point me in the right direction.

[donek]

OK, quick question. How do you insure that the inside radii are not too small for your cutter? Surely we don't manually check every vector?:confused:

If this has been covered please forgive me and point me in the right direction.

In the Vectric software that is a good idea. I don't know of any other technique for checkingthis. Typically, if you are creating the artwork to be used with the drag knife, you would consider this from the very beginning. If you have traced an image or purchased your file, you will need to take the time to become familiar with the level of detail in the drawing. This would be something you would do when assessing the cutter you might use if you were routing such a file as well.

SheetCAM does have some rather interesting features that are, in my opinion, quite cutting edge. It compensates for blade offset when generating the tool paths. This allows you to cut a feature that is smaller than the tool offset and produces a more accurate rendition of the original artwork. This, of course, is only effective in thinner materials in which the leading edge of the blade does not affect the path of the blade. It also now has offset capabilities so that you can offset inside or outside when creating an inlay toolpath. This makes it possible to make your fill material slightly smaller than the part you are putting it into, making assembly faster in a production setting. This does, of course make it impossible to make a positive and negative of the that artwork. You can of course choose no offset if you like.

[khaos]

Thanks. When we say the D2 is rated for a 0.125 curve is that with the regular blade or is that accounting the use of a safety blade?

Or would we get a tighter turn with the safety blade?

Thanks in advance

ps this is as it would relate to vinyl or very thin plastic.

[donek]

Thanks. When we say the D2 is rated for a 0.125 curve is that with the regular blade or is that accounting the use of a safety blade?

Or would we get a tighter turn with the safety blade?

Thanks in advance

The safety blade would have an offset of .090 and a minimum radius of 0.09in. Although this can be improved upon with the software.

[khaos]

A D2 is on the way to a new home. :D

[Bob Eustace]

Brilliant Sean! Why not try to get Vectric to put it with their own tutiorials? Looking forward to Chrissy's D1 arriving in time for her "birthday"!

[donek]

Brilliant Sean! Why not try to get Vectric to put it with their own tutiorials? Looking forward to Chrissy's D1 arriving in time for her "birthday"!

I probably should. I'll try to reach out to them.

[curtiss]

I probably should. I'll try to reach out to them.

Can you do the same video with a heavy English accent ???