Basic CNC

Can you post a picture and spec of your machine.

If you want some trial material to cut that's a step up from Oasis flower stuff then buy some ModelBoard- here's a note I sent to someone a while ago:

It was made from this stuff (probably M540):

http://www.alchemie.com/category/products/modelboard/polyurethane-modelboard/ 

but only because that was convenient for prototyping - for production it should be molded and there are a host of suitable plastics you might use - you would need to get advice from the tool designer/plastic molder.

You can make functional things from the right grade of modelboard - one day I mean to make some loudspeaker cabinets from it.

MK

I don't have a pic at the moment but here is the spec.

Ballscrew Machine Assembled

A3 size Machining Area - 500mm x 300mm, Z Axis 155mm

Footprint: 950mm x 750mm

Accuracy/Repeatability: 0.01mm

Translation: Ballscrew

Linear: Hiwin profile rails and carriages

MDL NOTE: CUSTOMER TO SUPPLY: Desktop PC, Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse

Machine Control Software - Mach3 Full License

Design Software - VCarve Pro 7

Electronic Jogging Handwheel

Controller: 3 Axis Controller and x3 NEMA23 3.1Nm Stepper Motors (X, Y and Z)

Proximity Home Switch (X, Y and Z) and additional external emergency stop

Kress Spindle 1050FME, Kress Motor Mount, Brushed dust hood with connection for 38/63mm out

3 x Kress Collets: 3mm, 6mm and 8mm

Sample Milling Cutters, 4 x T-Nuts, Grease

Single phase - standard socket 240V

One socket required - extension lead supplied

Code: [VCARVEMACH3]

CONTROLLER: FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS:

USB (V2.x) from PC/Laptop running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 (32 bit or 64bit)

motor driver connector pin-out is compatible with 10 pin open source interface (Linistepper, PICStep)

controller works with most step/dir stepper and servo motor drivers available on the market

buffered IO for maximum performance

advanced interpolation algorithms

start, stop, pause and resume execution of program on your machine

standard RS274/NGC G-code (EMC2 compatible)

advanced G-codes - G40, G41, G42 (Cutter Radius Compensation) supported

advanced G-codes - G43, G49 (Tool Length Offsets) supported

advanced G-codes - G54, G59.3 (Coordinate System Origins) supported

tested with SolidCAM, MasterCAM, ArtCAM, Vectric, CamBam, MeshCAM ... generated G-code

Profili 4-axes and 3-axes G-code supported

import toolpath from DXF files

import toolpath from PLT/HPGL files

import toolpath from image files

import toolpath from NC-Drill (Excellon) files

import toolpath from Gerber (RS-274X) files

toolpath simulation

automatic homing procedure

advanced toolchange procedures

automatic tool length measuring

export toolpath to G-code

export toolpath to DXF

SDK (software developers kit) is available

works on MacOS X (Snow Leopard 10.6.3) with virtual machine emulating Windows XP SP39 axes USB CNC controller Mk2:

100 kHz maximum step frequency

7 digital outputs

12 us minimum pulse width

manual jog inputs for all axes

limit inputs for all axes

5 general inputs

8 control inputs for pendant or similar device

SD card support for running g-code without computer

control external devices with I2C protocol

I don't have a pic at the moment but here is the spec.

Ballscrew Machine Assembled

A3 size Machining Area - 500mm x 300mm, Z Axis 155mm

Footprint: 950mm x 750mm

Accuracy/Repeatability: 0.01mm

Translation: Ballscrew

Linear: Hiwin profile rails and carriages

MDL NOTE: CUSTOMER TO SUPPLY: Desktop PC, Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse

Machine Control Software - Mach3 Full License

Design Software - VCarve Pro 7

Electronic Jogging Handwheel

Controller: 3 Axis Controller and x3 NEMA23 3.1Nm Stepper Motors (X, Y and Z)

Proximity Home Switch (X, Y and Z) and additional external emergency stop

Kress Spindle 1050FME, Kress Motor Mount, Brushed dust hood with connection for 38/63mm out

3 x Kress Collets: 3mm, 6mm and 8mm

Sample Milling Cutters, 4 x T-Nuts, Grease

Single phase - standard socket 240V

One socket required - extension lead supplied

Code: [VCARVEMACH3]

CONTROLLER: FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS:

USB (V2.x) from PC/Laptop running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 (32 bit or 64bit)

motor driver connector pin-out is compatible with 10 pin open source interface (Linistepper, PICStep)

controller works with most step/dir stepper and servo motor drivers available on the market

buffered IO for maximum performance

advanced interpolation algorithms

start, stop, pause and resume execution of program on your machine

standard RS274/NGC G-code (EMC2 compatible)

advanced G-codes - G40, G41, G42 (Cutter Radius Compensation) supported

advanced G-codes - G43, G49 (Tool Length Offsets) supported

advanced G-codes - G54, G59.3 (Coordinate System Origins) supported

tested with SolidCAM, MasterCAM, ArtCAM, Vectric, CamBam, MeshCAM ... generated G-code

Profili 4-axes and 3-axes G-code supported

import toolpath from DXF files

import toolpath from PLT/HPGL files

import toolpath from image files

import toolpath from NC-Drill (Excellon) files

import toolpath from Gerber (RS-274X) files

toolpath simulation

automatic homing procedure

advanced toolchange procedures

automatic tool length measuring

export toolpath to G-code

export toolpath to DXF

SDK (software developers kit) is available

works on MacOS X (Snow Leopard 10.6.3) with virtual machine emulating Windows XP SP39 axes USB CNC controller Mk2:

100 kHz maximum step frequency

7 digital outputs

12 us minimum pulse width

manual jog inputs for all axes

limit inputs for all axes

5 general inputs

8 control inputs for pendant or similar device

SD card support for running g-code without computer

control external devices with I2C protocol

Hello Raymond,

I've never used that software so I shall back off in the hope that someone else on E14 has and will be able to help you.

MK