text issues

This section is for useful tips and tricks for Aspire
4DThinker
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1701
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:14 pm
Model of CNC Machine: CNC Shark Pro, Probotix Meteor 25" x 50"

Re: text issues

Post by 4DThinker »

Zeropoint wrote:The other matter that no one tells you about is to make sure that the face you are milling for text is true & level.
NextWaveAutomation, who make the CNC Shark line of CNCs designed and presumable have a patent on the "Virutal Zero" feature in their latest version of control software. Quite nice. It maps the surface using five points (4 corners and the center) then alters the G-Code to account for variations. A software solution rather than a hardware solution.

User avatar
ssflyer
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 912
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:21 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRSAlpha 96x60
Location: Napa County, California

Re: text issues

Post by ssflyer »

Hmm - I think I'd still prefer a flat surface. 5 points can't really accurately map a large surface.
Ron Sloan

User avatar
TReischl
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4587
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:04 pm
Model of CNC Machine: 8020 48X36X7 RP 2022 UCCNC Screenset
Location: Leland NC

Re: text issues

Post by TReischl »

I doubt Nextwave has a patent on it. The technique has been used for years on industrial lasers. They sure as heck did not think it up.

Standing with SS on this one, doing a software solution to compensate for flimsy construction is no solution at all.

BTW, it is really, really, REALLY difficult to patent anything done in software. Copyright is the usual method.

4DThinker
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 1701
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:14 pm
Model of CNC Machine: CNC Shark Pro, Probotix Meteor 25" x 50"

Re: text issues

Post by 4DThinker »

On a google search for patents by Nextwave I haven't found anything referring to their Virtual Zero feature, but an interesting trademark for "CNC Piranha" did show up. July 2013. A new model/different engineering for a CNC than their Shark line perhaps? I'm hoping for an all-metal model that eliminates every flaw the Shark line has. The competition is heating up for CNCs in the $5K or less range.

User avatar
TReischl
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4587
Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:04 pm
Model of CNC Machine: 8020 48X36X7 RP 2022 UCCNC Screenset
Location: Leland NC

Re: text issues

Post by TReischl »

4D, don't know if you caught an earlier post I made about NextWave. A number of years ago I was one of their early customers. After two days of playing with the machine trying to get it cut within reason, I made a 6 hour one way trip to his house to return it.

After that it became very clear to me that building a machine is not all that complicated. It has become quite easy using 8020 extrustions and some off the shelf hardware from folks Fine Line Automation and CNC Router Parts. I now have a machine that is very accurate, easily achieves speeds of 800 IPM, uses a standard piece of control software and I know what to do if there is a problem. Which is rare.

Cost? Under $3000 for a 48 X 36 X 8.00 machine. Time to build? Less than a week, I am more or less retired so have time for these projects. It has a solenoid to turn the router on/off from the program, auto tool touch with a second pad for multiple tool jobs and on the front I created a recess so I can easily do tenons on a piece. Very accurate tenons since there is no flipping the part over and relying on how thick the piece was cut.

Quality costs unless you have the time to do it yourself. I am not surprised by the cost of a machine at 5K plus. If I had to build my machine on a production basis it sure would not sell for 3K.

Post Reply