Engraving letters.

[Hugh.Venables]

In V6 there was a letters toolpath available from the main menu, I think. I can't find anything like this in V8. I presume we should use contour, or maybe pocket.

There are three ways of creating letters. True Type® (what does the R stand for?), Drafting and file. It looks like all three create toolpathable entities. Using True Type results in letters that have an inner and outer boundary which is a problem if the selected cutter won't fit between the boundaries and results in unnecessary cutting if the cutter is smaller than the distance between the boundaries. What I really need is just a single line for the cutter to follow without compensation. Drafting provides letters like this, but without the font or style options.

Any one out there create and toolpath letters for engraving? How do you do it?

Good thing the good old ways still work. Looks like it's out with the number and letter stamps and the hammer for this job!

Hugh Venables.

[cadcam]

Use this order:

"Create" Next Menu" "letters" "box"

This will give you the standard Stick letters.

Then do contour all enties window pick a window around the letters.

Turn off cutter control in the Parameters page.

This will run the tool down the center of the lines.

This is the old way work great.

[ 11-25-2001: Message edited by: cadcam ]

[Hugh.Venables]

Thanks Jay.

"Create""Next Menu""Letters" leads to Choices of: True Type ®, Drafting or file in V8.1.1. Can't see any "Box". I can get standard stick letters from Drafting (that's the only type of letters I can get from Drafting).

So presumably I can't get any other type lettering from Drafting and I can't get single line lettering from True Type.

Hugh Venables.

[cadcam]

Oooops:

"Create" Next Menu" "letters""file" "box"

sorry forgot one step.

[Hugh.Venables]

Thanks Jay. Interestingly enough, any lower case letters I create using "box" get defaulted to upper case with or without shift/caps lock. Doesn't happen if I use Drafting but I prefer the letter style in "box". Any idea how to solve this?

Hugh Venables.

[cadcam]

Why cant you use drafting instead of box?

this give you stick type letters two.

[cadcam]

Here is another way that you can try diffrent stlyes.

"Create" "Drafting""Note"

then from there:

"Modify""break""Draft/Line"

this will change them from a single note to lines and arcs.

[Hugh.Venables]

Thanks Jay. Using Drafting/Note allowed me to create the note at an angle, too. Oddly enough, I couldn't pick it with Window to Break it, I had used a different color, so picked it with All/Color. Still the only font that's really suitable for the purpose is Stick, all the others result in inner and outer linework which is no where near as convenient for quickie engraving. Thanks very much for your time. I hate to think where I'd be without this forum. Much appreciated.

Hugh Venables.

[Jim Whipple]

I've been using true type letters (txt) for engraving just fine.

Use and engraving tool at about .005 dp and no cutter comp, pick the geometry with a window and your set. The cool thing about using true type fonts is now you can wrap the text aroung a dia.

Jim

NDT Engineering

Seattle Wa

[n_tydingco]

Hugh -- after creating the text using CREATE>DRAFTING>NOTE, click on the the area of the text and it will select the whole note entity (MODIFY>BREAK>DRAFT/LINE)---OR--- if you use a window, set it to capture INSIDE AND INTERSECTING (In + intr).

 

[Hugh.Venables]

Thanks Jim and Norbert for your replys.

Jim, do you get single line letters out of true type?

Hugh Venables.

[jspangler]

Hi

What type of cutter are you using, and what material are you cutting. Speeds and feeds?

I am currently running a 1/4" center drill at 5500 rpm, and about 15 FPM, at .003 in 1018 plate,

 

Thanks

 

John

[cadcam]

Have any of you looked at the engraving package for mastercam.

 

I have been using it allot lately on some mold work.

 

It does a really nice job.

 

As for tools I use for engraving.

Carbide with a 30 deg side angle with a .005 flat tip. Sort of like a spade.

This tool works great on allot of material.

[savtav]

Cadcam ,

I also use the the new engraving addon for v9 , It is a must for anyone you engraves alot . I do a lot of electrode and mold work and the best part about it is how it can pick out corners of letters giving it a sharp chisel look using v-cutters.

 

One thing i don't know is how can i engrave letters on a convex or concave 3d curve and still sharpen the corners of the letters ???

 

[ 06-23-2002, 06:34 AM: Message edited by: savtav ]

[cadcam]

savtav, I have a thought I will try it in a little while when I get to the office.

I i get it to do it I will tell you how.

[Jim Whipple]

Hugh

I use the trutype font "txt" as it is the only font that "I" have found in my collection of true type fonts that does only cut single lines, but that works out well for me as I engrave a lot of calibration standards that are disc shaped and I can wrap the text around the dia. I use a carbide engraving tool with probably a 60 or 70 deg included angle on it, I have two of them and one is 1/4 and the other is 1/2 round with no flat at teh tip. I run .005 dp 6000rpm and 30ish ipm. I cut alum, ti, stainless and inconel

Hope this helps

Jim

NDT Engineering

Seattle Wa.

[ROB]

where is the engraving package for mastercam?

is it on the installation disc or is a c-hook?

thank's....

[Hugh.Venables]

Thanks Jim. I will have a play.

Jay, is the engraving package available for V8? Do we need to get it through our reseller?

Hugh Venables.

[cadcam]

Hi Hugh.Venables, te engraving for V8 is just like the one for V9.

No real changes there.

Yes you need to contact your dealer for it.

 

Let me know how it goes.

[savtav]

Hi Cadcam, Did you get some time to look at my problem ??

 

One thing i don't know is how can i engrave letters on a convex or concave 3d curve and still sharpen the corners of the letters The letters have to be standing up like letter stamps. I have tried to project flat letters on to a surface curve but with no success. Any ideas......any one

 

 

[ 06-25-2002, 05:40 AM: Message edited by: savtav ]

[cadcam]

Hi savtav, I will really try and work with what you want today.

 

you want raised letters on a say convex surface.

Sorry about the delay i have been really busy.

[Scott Bond]

Hi Cadcam

 

I also have been thinking of a way. I would like to come by tonight and try it.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

The ® in True Type® is the symbol of a "Trademark" I believe.

[cadcam]

Is this what you wanted do Savtav?

[savtav]

Hi Cadcam,

Thank for going out of your way to help me

From what i can see from gif file it looks like the letters are sharp ,but not very clear . Can you send the file to the ftp so i can take a closer look at it. I Had a rep from delcam come in today showing me Artcam pro v5.5 and it did what i wanted it to do but i would rather go with mastercam of cause.. Did you create the file using the ver9 engrave package adon ???? if so please explain...

 

Regards Savtav

 

[ 06-27-2002, 07:44 AM: Message edited by: savtav ]