Need help with a pen tool

This forum is for general discussion regarding VCarve Pro
Post Reply
blacksmithED
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:20 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Pirahna FX
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Need help with a pen tool

Post by blacksmithED »

I purchased a holder for a pen/marker. I have no idea how to set it up so it can outline, or fill in lettering.
Anyone familiar with setting up a pen?

M Queen
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:25 pm
Model of CNC Machine: WinCNC Hybrid
Location: Buckhannon, WV, USA
Contact:

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by M Queen »

The pen tool I have fits into a tool collet and actually holds a fine point marker. I set mine up as a regular end mill with a diameter of the width of my marker tip (about 0.045"). Mine allows the marker to float (move inside the holder) about 0.050" so I set it up so that it is zeroed with enough play to allow the marker to follow the material even if the surface is just a little uneven. If you get your diameter set correctly, you'll be able to fill with it as well.

A link to a sped up video of my machine drawing:
Attachments
How I set up my pen tool.
How I set up my pen tool.
Mike Queen
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304

User avatar
dwilli9013
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1237
Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2013 12:45 am
Model of CNC Machine: 3 axis Self Designed Self Built
Location: Machesney Park Illinois

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by dwilli9013 »

Thank you for that. I just got a few pen tip prototypes to review for a good friend. That setup makes it much easier. Nice video. That thing is smoking. :lol: :lol:
D-Dub
Dwayne
Dwilli

blacksmithED
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:20 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Pirahna FX
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by blacksmithED »

Thanks Queen,
Should I use either the Profile or Pocket toolpath to outline or fill?

M Queen
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:25 pm
Model of CNC Machine: WinCNC Hybrid
Location: Buckhannon, WV, USA
Contact:

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by M Queen »

dwilli9013 wrote:Thank you for that. I just got a few pen tip prototypes to review for a good friend. That setup makes it much easier. Nice video. That thing is smoking. :lol: :lol:
Happy to help. Yeah, I did the drawing for my grandson's elementary school project. They showed the video to the students. Needless to say, the kids liked the drawing much better after they watched the video. My grandson was a hero for a day. :)

If your tool allows for a little free "floating" of the pen/marker, it makes it very easy to use.

One VERY IMPORTANT THING: MAKE SURE YOU USE A POST PROCESSOR THAT DOESN'T START THE SPINDLE. If you accidentally start the spindle, you're probably going to ruin the spindle and maybe throw some very heavy and dangerous parts around the room!
Mike Queen
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304

M Queen
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:25 pm
Model of CNC Machine: WinCNC Hybrid
Location: Buckhannon, WV, USA
Contact:

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by M Queen »

blacksmithED wrote:Thanks Queen,
Should I use either the Profile or Pocket toolpath to outline or fill?
I've used both.

For outline I usually just draw on the line. After all I want to represent my drawing correctly.

I've done some pretty cool fill work too. You can lie to the software and tell it the tool has a little larger diameter and get some fills that look about like hand scribbled drawings. You can have different tools for different colors too. Make a separate file for each color. Experiment... Play... Paper is cheap!
Mike Queen
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304

blacksmithED
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:20 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Pirahna FX
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by blacksmithED »

I did a test. Came out great with both outline and fill. Spring loaded rig with a marker in it.
I have another question.
Since the holder is spring loaded, do I need to set a "cut depth"? Or will the software (Vectric) not go if there is no cut depth? (I can't do another test until tomorrow.)

M Queen
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:25 pm
Model of CNC Machine: WinCNC Hybrid
Location: Buckhannon, WV, USA
Contact:

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by M Queen »

blacksmithED wrote:I did a test. Came out great with both outline and fill. Spring loaded rig with a marker in it.
I have another question.
Since the holder is spring loaded, do I need to set a "cut depth"? Or will the software (Vectric) not go if there is no cut depth? (I can't do another test until tomorrow.)
Mine isn't spring loaded but it does basically the same thing with gravity. I always set mine to about 0.020" deep and a lift that will clear the material well for rapid moves. Then I set my z0 with it just a little compressed. That way it will stay on my material if it dips and has a little more to compress in case the material raises.
Mike Queen
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304

User avatar
Martin Reid
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed May 18, 2016 6:00 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shopbot
Location: Lancashire UK
Contact:

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by Martin Reid »

Dear All

There is more on 'pens' below

http://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php? ... en#p200400

Sincerely and in good faith
Martin

blacksmithED
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:20 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Pirahna FX
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by blacksmithED »

I got the pen working fine except for one thing. After the pen is raised to move to another letter, it lowers to the paper extremely slowly. Like it's going as slow at the motor will allow. I don't see a setting for speed in the z axis.
Pen.png
Is the slow decent because I selected an engraving tool setup to modify for the pen?

Ed

User avatar
Adrian
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 14547
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:19 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRS Alpha 96x48
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by Adrian »

The Z axis speed is the plunge rate.

User avatar
Xxray
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2300
Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2011 8:47 am
Model of CNC Machine: CAMaster Stinger 1
Location: MI USA

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by Xxray »

blacksmithED wrote:I got the pen working fine except for one thing. After the pen is raised to move to another letter, it lowers to the paper extremely slowly. Like it's going as slow at the motor will allow. I don't see a setting for speed in the z axis.
Pen.png
Is the slow decent because I selected an engraving tool setup to modify for the pen?

Ed
Look in material setup, you'll find options for clearance and plunge
Doug

blacksmithED
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:20 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Pirahna FX
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by blacksmithED »

in material setup, I have 0.2" for both plunge and clearance. Same as I always use, but never had the head move down this sloooooow.

User avatar
wmgeorge
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:12 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Workbee 1000x750 Mach 4 PMDX Controller

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by wmgeorge »

blacksmithED wrote:in material setup, I have 0.2" for both plunge and clearance. Same as I always use, but never had the head move down this sloooooow.
Plunge Rate is the rate in inches or mm per minute the Z goes down, it should be set at 100 according to your screen shot. Has that been changed?

blacksmithED
Posts: 30
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 4:20 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Pirahna FX
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Re: Need help with a pen tool

Post by blacksmithED »

The plunge rate was set at 100 in.min,.

Don't know what happened, but this afternoon I ran the program again and it worked as normal.
Strange.

Thanks everyone for you help. I really appreciate it.
Ed

Post Reply