V-Carving from a list

This forum is for users to post tips and tricks they have found useful while working with VCarve Pro
Post Reply
GrandpaB
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 4:19 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark

V-Carving from a list

Post by GrandpaB »

I have a list of 125 names that I'd like to V-Carve one name on each of 125 small plaques. Ideally, I envision a single toolpath that will cut the first name, move the bit clear of the plaque so that I can insert a new plaque, pause while I change the plaques, and then when I click Resume cut the next name in the list. I've been spinning my wheels trying to figure out how to do this V-Carve job without creating 125 individualized toolpaths.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

User avatar
Rcnewcomb
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5887
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Contact:

Re: V-Carving from a list

Post by Rcnewcomb »

Look at Plate Production. It is on page 106 of the Help file. There is a video tutorial called "Plate Production Guide".
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

User avatar
FixitMike
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2173
Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:21 am
Model of CNC Machine: Shark Pro Plus (retired)
Location: Burien, WA USA

Re: V-Carving from a list

Post by FixitMike »

Unfortunately, it is not possible to pause the Shark controller.

But if you can cut multiple plaques from a single piece of material, then Plate Production is the way to go.

Correction: There is a pause button on the screen you can click, but it doesn't work the way you want.
Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.

GrandpaB
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 4:19 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark

Re: V-Carving from a list

Post by GrandpaB »

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your help; i've been playing with the Plate Production. It is easy to use. I set it up so that the material was only big enough to contain one plaque. Vectric then created a sheet and toolpath for each plaque. I'm almost there. The G-code for each plaque begins with

(| Toolpath:- 'Sn - Name' )

where n is the number of the plaque. Can G-code be inserted at this point to move the router bit clear of the plaque and then paused? If this is possible where can I learn G-code.

User avatar
FixitMike
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2173
Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:21 am
Model of CNC Machine: Shark Pro Plus (retired)
Location: Burien, WA USA

Re: V-Carving from a list

Post by FixitMike »

As I mentioned before, the Shark controller does not recognize a pause G-code.

Just Google "G-codes" to see how they work. You can use notepad to look at your .tap files. But not all controllers recognize all of the codes. The Shark controller uses a limited set.
Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgement.

GrandpaB
Vectric Apprentice
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 4:19 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark

Re: V-Carving from a list

Post by GrandpaB »

Thanks FixItMike,

My next stop is the Shark forum, and then on to my G-code education.

User avatar
BArnold
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 189
Joined: Sat May 02, 2015 12:20 am
Model of CNC Machine: SO2/XCarve hybrid w/NEMA23 on all axes
Location: Thomasville, GA, USA

Re: V-Carving from a list

Post by BArnold »

Rcnewcomb wrote:Look at Plate Production. It is on page 106 of the Help file. There is a video tutorial called "Plate Production Guide".
Page 106 of the Help pdf comes up as Layer Management in my install of VCarve Desktop.

User avatar
Adrian
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 14544
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:19 pm
Model of CNC Machine: ShopBot PRS Alpha 96x48
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: V-Carving from a list

Post by Adrian »

Plate Production isn't available in the desktop version.

User avatar
BArnold
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 189
Joined: Sat May 02, 2015 12:20 am
Model of CNC Machine: SO2/XCarve hybrid w/NEMA23 on all axes
Location: Thomasville, GA, USA

Re: V-Carving from a list

Post by BArnold »

Adrian wrote:Plate Production isn't available in the desktop version.
Thanks, Adrian.

Post Reply