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I need someone to build me a simple gcode file

Discussion in 'General Talk' started by William Steele, Jan 5, 2021.

  1. William Steele

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    I have a new 3018 prover that I bought for a project. All that I need it for is cut a simple rectangle out my product.

    The x axis is 90 mm and the y axis is 3 mm. The only catch is that I need the z axis to drop 0.5 mm each round as not all parts are the same height. Please help me. Thanks.
     
  2. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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  3. William Steele

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    Thank you but I am pretty much illiterate when it comes to computers. I did figure out how to cut manually on Candle, but I have no idea how to make my own g code. Does anyone offer this service?
     
  4. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    You need to create a model in a CAD software. Then you need to create the gcode with CAM software like OpenBuilds CAM. It takes about 30 seconds to make a rectangle in CAD software like Sketchup or Fusion360 and export it as a .dxf file. Unless you learn how to do it, you will have a paperweight for a machine. Fusion360 is free: Fusion 360 for Personal Use | Fusion 360 | Autodesk So is Sketchup. I prefer Fusion 360 because it is more intuitive to me. Sketchup Make 2017 is the most recent version that can be downloaded. Downloading older versions | SketchUp Help

    Here is a 90 x 3 rectangle. Now you can use OpenBuilds CAM to create your gcode. See attached:
     

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  5. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    OpenBuilds CAM has a rectangle tool built in, saves you 30 seconds :)
     
    David the swarfer and Giarc like this.
  6. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    Actually closer to a minute because it took Fusion about 30 seconds to load. :)

    I forgot you could draw in OpenBuilds CAM.
     
  7. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Is the truth though, you will have to face the learning curve. Its easier than creating a post asking for help, so work through it - knowledge is power
     
  8. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    You can do the drawing AND the Gcode in Sketchup
    draw the flat rectangle of the size you want
    set the cut parameters for SketchUcam
    add the toolpath around the outside of the rectangle
    generate Gcode
    transfer to CONTROL (the latest SketchUcam has a button for this!)

     
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  9. William Steele

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  10. William Steele

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    Ok. So I did manage to download Fusion 360 and upload your file (Thank You very much, btw), but now I am totally lost. Not the slightest idea what to do next.
     
  11. William Steele

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    I did manage to open the file in openBuilds CAM gCode Creator. Have no clue what to do now. Lost
     
  12. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    now watch the attached video
    note:
    1. If you want to cut inside the 3mm wide rectangle your bit has to be smaller than 3mm
    2. if you want the slot hollowed out you need to select 'pocket' not 'inside cut'.
    3. YOU need to research feeds and speeds for your material, if you go too fast or too slow, there can be problems. Same for RPM and bit choice.
    4. Depth of cut depends mostly on your machine stiffness. 0.5mm at a time may be too much, or it may be easy, it all depends on the machine and the material.
    5. You will need to jog the tool to the bottom left corner of your proposed cut and use the 'setzero' buttons as needed, same for Z, the tool must be barely touching the surface of the material for Z zero setting. Research 'the paper method of touching off'.
     

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  13. William Steele

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    I have cut several of my products manually. So I do know how the machine works and how deep I should go. My 3mm cut ends up being a 5mm width when complete which is perfect. I am cutting ABS plastic and a 50% feed rate and a . 5mm drop per round seems to work the best. I also found that a 20 degree bit works well. Last night, I finally got it to create a gcode. I am awaiting my jigs back from my machinist so that I can try out. Thank you for all of your help.
     
  14. William Steele

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    Now, I have a new issue. I am trying to change to a MacBook computer but it keeps giving me a bluetooth incoming port when I try to connect the usb cable. I found a little info and downloaded 2 different drivers to no avail. Any suggestions?
     
  15. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    When working with most of our FTDI products you are going to be using the FTDI as a "Virtual Com Port" or VCP. This is important to note when looking at the FTDI driver download page. We will NOT be installing any D2XX drivers.
    ** note : ** This operation will require Administrative access.

    • Enter your admin password
    • Click Install Software
    • Wait while install processes
    • Installation should be successful
     
  16. William Steele

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    I followed the instructions to a "T" and it didnt make any changes.
     
  17. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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  18. William Steele

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    The program works perfectly with my cnc when hooked to my HP. I just cant get my macbook to recognize the cnc through the usb port. I really need to run it off my macbook if possible
     
  19. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    if it works on the other one, but not the macbook, it still boils down to FTDI drivers for the Mac. We sadly cannot provide IT support, so speak to your local Apple service agent, IT guy
     

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