Need help with a pen tool
-
- 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
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?
Anyone familiar with setting up a pen?
-
- 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
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:
A link to a sped up video of my machine drawing:
Mike Queen
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
- 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
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.
D-Dub
Dwayne
Dwilli
Dwayne
Dwilli
-
- 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
Thanks Queen,
Should I use either the Profile or Pocket toolpath to outline or fill?
Should I use either the Profile or Pocket toolpath to outline or fill?
-
- 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
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.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.
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
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
-
- 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
I've used both.blacksmithED wrote:Thanks Queen,
Should I use either the Profile or Pocket toolpath to outline or fill?
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
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
-
- 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
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.)
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.)
-
- 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
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.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.)
Mike Queen
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
Microsystems World CNC (WinCNC)
https://www.youtube.com/user/cncMike304
- 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
Dear All
There is more on 'pens' below
http://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php? ... en#p200400
Sincerely and in good faith
Martin
There is more on 'pens' below
http://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php? ... en#p200400
Sincerely and in good faith
Martin
-
- 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
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.
Is the slow decent because I selected an engraving tool setup to modify for the pen?
Ed
Is the slow decent because I selected an engraving tool setup to modify for the pen?
Ed
- Adrian
- Vectric Archimage
- Posts: 14650
- 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
The Z axis speed is the plunge rate.
- Xxray
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 2304
- 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
Look in material setup, you'll find options for clearance and plungeblacksmithED 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.
Is the slow decent because I selected an engraving tool setup to modify for the pen?
Ed
Doug
-
- 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
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.
- 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
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 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.
-
- 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
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
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