not a CNC,,
- Thread starter Bob_Atl
- Start date
hunt0168
Well-known member
Your visual is in the direction that my input with Sarge has been directed. The choice of natural wood brings in some variables, as does tooling and software / equipment limitations and dealing with how the grain in the wood impacts the artwork and text.
I think Sarge is getting there, and if he can somehow add contrast to his engraved portions it will be the turning point of his project.
It’s been fun throwing ideas back and forth and seeing how he is working his way through the bumps along the way. And for the record, I work in the graphics field and a small portion of my trade involves engraving aluminum panels for the transit industry, and operating abrasive water jet equipment.
I think Sarge is getting there, and if he can somehow add contrast to his engraved portions it will be the turning point of his project.
It’s been fun throwing ideas back and forth and seeing how he is working his way through the bumps along the way. And for the record, I work in the graphics field and a small portion of my trade involves engraving aluminum panels for the transit industry, and operating abrasive water jet equipment.
hunt0168
Well-known member
Oh, I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination! It's more of an unfortunate duty thrown at me by my employer who needed an old dog with half a brain to operate "mechanical" equipment that took a little bit more skill than typing on a keyboard to operate. Lets just say that some damage occurred with the computer geniuses that don't know what a callus is! Lol...
My expertise is as a Graphics screen printer. Again, it's pretty much a dying trade with all of the new digital printing equipment. It's great technology, but luckily for me, it cannot "yet" print on all of the various substrates and meet the various environmental exposure and weatherability or abrasion resistance requirements that good ole' screen printing can achieve. It's another trade that the youngens want no part of. You get ink on you. You need to manually setup and tear down. You need to turn knobs and manually adjust things based on what you see in your prints. And the big one... You need to be able to accept that if the end product doesn't look good, that it's your fault and you can't blame it on a computer glitch! Lol...
Sgt_Mike
Well-known member
LOL sometimes this Genmitsu is a royal pain....
That Bob is excellent... I like it!!
The Printers can do what a Router can't. The CO2 plasma is the same way. And the opposite is true. each one has their strengths and weaknesses.
@Bob_Atl
I'm asking because I "think" I know the answer , the language for your printer is it Grbl ?
looks something like:
M3 S12000; Start Spindle
G4 P8; Wait 8 seconds for spindle to spin up to speed
G0 Z10; move to z-safe height
G0 F1000 X45.4215 Y0.5097
G0 Z0
G1 F350 Z-0.0000; Direct Plunge
G1 F2000 X46.3425 Y0.5386 Z-0.0000 S12000
G1 F2000 X47.2628 Y0.5868 Z-0.0000 S12000
G1 F2000 X48.1818 Y0.6543 Z-0.0000 S12000
G1 F2000 X49.0993 Y0.7410 Z-0.0000 S12000
G1 F2000 X50.0147 Y0.8470 Z-0.0000 S12000
G1 F2000 X50.9277 Y0.9720 Z-0.0000 S12000
G1 F2000 X51.8378 Y1.1162 Z-0.0000 S12000
G1 F2000 X52.7448 Y1.2794 Z-0.0000 S12000
G1 F2000 X53.6481 Y1.4615 Z-0.0000 S12000
But Like I said I really do like your make up of the project. I had typed a BUNCH of things then before posting realized I would be stealing the thread. Which would not be my intention.
Bob_Atl
Well-known member
Really close but no, apparently GRBL (used in CNC) is similar but different than GCODE (used in 3DP).
from google: "While G-code defines what the machine should do, GRBL is the software that executes those instructions on the hardware level"
To me, sounds like GRBL uses some of the GCODE commands(syntax) but it talks directly to the CNC processor in more detail.
How do you generate a GRBL file ?
I use OrcaSlicer for the 3DP GCODE files.
The other popular 3DP slicer is within Bambu Studio, as a part of their closed proprietary system (Apple-ish).
Funny thing is most 3DP-OEMs take the same basic slicer then put their own spin on their special version.
So ends up most 3DP slicers look alike, with a few twists..
As an aside, Bambu Labs has a makers www site with several neat apps.
Anyone can create an account and use their apps for free.
One of those apps (AI) created the 3D yote relief in the coaster above from a simple *.jpg : MakersWorld-link
PS: Don't worry about thread stuff, its all interesting, to me at least.
from google: "While G-code defines what the machine should do, GRBL is the software that executes those instructions on the hardware level"
To me, sounds like GRBL uses some of the GCODE commands(syntax) but it talks directly to the CNC processor in more detail.
How do you generate a GRBL file ?
I use OrcaSlicer for the 3DP GCODE files.
The other popular 3DP slicer is within Bambu Studio, as a part of their closed proprietary system (Apple-ish).
Funny thing is most 3DP-OEMs take the same basic slicer then put their own spin on their special version.
So ends up most 3DP slicers look alike, with a few twists..
As an aside, Bambu Labs has a makers www site with several neat apps.
Anyone can create an account and use their apps for free.
One of those apps (AI) created the 3D yote relief in the coaster above from a simple *.jpg : MakersWorld-link
PS: Don't worry about thread stuff, its all interesting, to me at least.
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Bob_Atl
Well-known member
further, from google : "While standard G-code includes a wide range of commands, GRBL supports only a subset of these, excluding features like automatic tool changers, multi-axis helical arcs, and certain advanced spindle or coolant controls."
also: "While OrcaSlicer does not have a specific "GRBL output" option, the standard G-code it exports is fully usable with GRBL-controlled systems."
I didn't know that !!
also: "While OrcaSlicer does not have a specific "GRBL output" option, the standard G-code it exports is fully usable with GRBL-controlled systems."
I didn't know that !!
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Sgt_Mike
Well-known member
Depend on the project but CAM software is involved.
Say I'm using Freecad to do say a loading block for reloading , well there is a section inside the software that using a CAM option that generates the commands in the correct language.
Or in the case of say the coasters I was doing I used a online CAM generator at OpenBuilds CAM
Which the nice part of using this one is cost etc, plus, I don't have to build the body as I would in Freecad. Simple and easy to use.
Which is actually fast, depending on the graphic or what I need to do. But will generate a GCODE. The other nicety is the ability to save the project locally. so that it can be reloaded and then change the operation (routing, drill, Plasma, laser, drag knife, pen plotter is supported) or what ever is needed.
Yes, The one problem I was having with that, was mentally doing it. I actually didn't think of say using the same graphic with one smaller inside a larger one to create that effect.
Some reason I was thinking I would have to draw on the computer ... which yeah I suck at bad. LOL
After now thinking about that I could have simply used the larger image in a Line engrave using a detailed carving bit on one image and then used a mill end to either trace the outline or for a pocket or perform a pocket. Some may refer to as a relief maybe.
Bob_Atl
Well-known member
Thanks Mike, only used 3DP slicer software for GCODE so far - checked into Carbide-Create for routing codes - it looks capable but maybe is too simple.
Openbuilds.com looks better, got a bookmark on that for if/when the time comes.. TKS..
link: Cloud-based CAM also looks interesting..
Openbuilds.com looks better, got a bookmark on that for if/when the time comes.. TKS..
link: Cloud-based CAM also looks interesting..
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Sgt_Mike
Well-known member
I have Not seen that one (cam Lab) I'll have to give it a go.
on the router cnc, easel, and Vectra is usually recommended although I have been cheap in the software side. And not invested in quality software.
Those two pieces of software can easily do inlay into a wood project, by creating a reverse mirror into another piece of wood
example:
While I've not personally used those two bits of software. I have seen videos from Garret Fromme of IDC woodcraft (tooling source) showing how to use one of them with a Longmill.
Added later...
Holy cra* I think I just figured out how to do a inlay using MS- photo editor and Open builds ...... won't work for text (maybe or at least not figured that out yet, unless the fonts are the same or are graphics )
but for say a coyote inlay of maple or black walnut unto a red oak maybe maybe a light engrave of small details into the inlay ...... Must look through the scrap bin. May not need the expensive software after all... then again this may not work. (posted this so I don't forget tomorrow). That would tdefinately throw a contrast such as what @hunt0168 what referring to.
A simple mirror or some would say a horizontal flip using MS- photo editor on the graphic now to figure out one other aspect of the fitting (slight tapers) on the inlay side.
on the router cnc, easel, and Vectra is usually recommended although I have been cheap in the software side. And not invested in quality software.
Those two pieces of software can easily do inlay into a wood project, by creating a reverse mirror into another piece of wood
example:
While I've not personally used those two bits of software. I have seen videos from Garret Fromme of IDC woodcraft (tooling source) showing how to use one of them with a Longmill.
Added later...
Holy cra* I think I just figured out how to do a inlay using MS- photo editor and Open builds ...... won't work for text (maybe or at least not figured that out yet, unless the fonts are the same or are graphics )
but for say a coyote inlay of maple or black walnut unto a red oak maybe maybe a light engrave of small details into the inlay ...... Must look through the scrap bin. May not need the expensive software after all... then again this may not work. (posted this so I don't forget tomorrow). That would tdefinately throw a contrast such as what @hunt0168 what referring to.
A simple mirror or some would say a horizontal flip using MS- photo editor on the graphic now to figure out one other aspect of the fitting (slight tapers) on the inlay side.
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