Box Creator Gadget

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Texas_Buckaroo
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2022 9:07 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Stepcraft M.1000
Location: San Angelo, Texas USA

Box Creator Gadget

Post by Texas_Buckaroo »

The Box Creator Gadget isn't working for me. I'm using Vcarve Pro V11.5. I wanted to build a drawer for my workbench. Plus I didn't want the Box Creator Gadget to create a bottom. I only wanted the sides and ends, and I was going to cut rabbits in them for the bottom piece.

After a couple hours fighting this, I sent Vectric a message.

David from Vectric promptly responded.

Here is my initial question and his response...

Dear Vectric,

I've noticed two Gadgets aren't working properly now that I've upgraded to V11.5, from V11.0. The Box Creator Gadget gives me an error box, which states " Couldn't arrange quick enough".

David Phillips (Vectric Ltd.)

Nov 28, 2022, 13:45 GMT+1

Hello Terry,

Many thanks for contacting us,

For your issue with the box creator gadget, this message appears when the settings entered result in an 'impossible box'
which the gadgets themselves have no direct way of preventing or warning against. I have double checked your settings
in both V11 and V11.5 and the result is identical with no change in behaviour.

It is something we would be looking at improving in future, but it is a lower priority as it is an example Gadget which are
not developed by ourselves but by users and are only included to showcase what can be achieved, rather than being a main software feature.
We suggest re-checking your box settings and making sure they are not unusual, such as being much bigger then the available material, or having
a large allowance (<0.01") for example.


My Stepcraft M.1000 CNC has a maximum X cut distance around 26 inches. With a drawer side length of 30.875 inches, I assumed this gadget would rotate and "nest" the parts automatically to my job size. However, this gadget evidentially can't "rotate" the parts to fit the job size - it only creates long-dimension box parts in the X direction. I also discovered this gadget "ignored" the no check mark for the "create bottom". It would put tabs on the sides and ends for a bottom anyway. So, I eventually just put a check mark in the create bottom box.

So, as a possible work-around, I...

1. Just made my job size much bigger than I needed (i.e. 96 inches by 96 inches).
2. Rotated all parts 90 degrees (Y orientation).
3. Then, resized my job size to 24 inches by 96 inch.

Unfortunately, after I cut all the pieces, I discovered the tabs were too big. So, I had to use my multitool and narrow each tab about an eighth of an inch on each side - that's a lot of tabs!

Incidentally, this was my first time using this gadget.

Please see attached.

I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks!
Attachments
01 - Job Setup.PNG
02 - Box Creater Setup Window.PNG
03 - Couldnt Arrange.PNG

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sharkcutup
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 3494
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
Location: U.S.A.

Re: Box Creator Gadget

Post by sharkcutup »

Have you considered trying any of the other Gadgets available in Gadgets > User Submissions here on the Forum? The Easy Tray Maker Gadget may fit the bill for what you are trying to do. But again most of the gadgets created are for creating the part vectors and toolpaths for those vectors. The user submission gadgets leave the movement of parts, Sheeting ease, etc... up to the users discretion. Some of the Gadgets do separate parts based on thickness to their own sheets. And Some Gadgets have been created to use in either the X or Y orientation (ex: Easy Cabinet Maker Gadget).

So in you particular project Using the Easy Tray Maker Gadget to create all the part Vectors and Toolpaths. Then delete whatever is not needed (easy pessy). Group all vectors per part (Side, End, Bottom, etc... so that they stay together) then use NESTING accordingly.

Just a Thought/Opinion!!!

Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 12.013

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