engraving

[bilbo]

Is there a way to engrave a font using both sides of the letter to drive the ball tool so that the depth varies based on the width of the geometry?

 

I do not like the available single line fonts. And I do not like the double lines required using ttf's.

[3R!< W3NG3R]

Use the engrave toolpath.

[bilbo]

You did not read my post. Engrave toolpath will double line my letters and not give me what I need, unless you want to enlighten me,

Thanks

[Ron Branch @ Verisurf]

No you will have to make up your own custom chains for each latter you want. Then I would save these as operation group for each letter with geometry. Then import them into files where you want engraving with your very special method that could be scaled based off of things you want to change. You might could use pencil with the chains of the letters as boundaries to a flat surface. My thinking here is Mastercam will try fitting the tool down as far as it will go for the varying depth the boundary of the letter would allow and that might close to what you are trying to accomplish.

 

HTH

[bilbo]

That won't work for me since I need to engrave different initials on different dia's. I have approx 10 different dia's. I really didn't want to create my own single line font.

There must be a better way!

[Ron Branch @ Verisurf]

Famous last words of every programmer I every met that developed their own CAM software. Can you draw what you are after as a solid? If so you made all you need to make the letters.

 

Also remember 0-9 covers all the numbers every used. A-Z covers all the letters ever used. Make them .25 tall then you can just make a ratio from there and based of the ratio you would then just use different size ball endmills to achieve the same results as your letter size changed. A little up front work, but once figured out and done would be easy to do from that point forward.

 

Question in other CAM systems you have programmed with they allowed this??

[3R!< W3NG3R]

Engrave will cut it like a pocket, not giving you double lines.

[bilbo]

I could cut it like a pocket but that opens up another can for me.

 

I am engraving .125 high characters in titanium on a 4th axis on a round part. Cutting the "pocket" would require a very small EM but I might be able to work with that. The problem then would be to engrave on Y0. Right now I am engraving on A0 with X, Y, & Z moving.

I need help engraving with Y and Z not moving, only X & A moving. How can I achieve that?

[3R!< W3NG3R]

engrave with wrapping on.

[Ron Branch @ Verisurf]

Or you could do axis substitution getting only a X and A output program verses the X,Y,Z,A out you most time get with other ways.

 

HTH

[bilbo]

Where do I turn the wrapping on?

I seem to recall trying this before and getting the same result.

When I open the parameter window and select rotary axis, I select rotary axis positioning, then rotate about the x axis. When I post it, I only get X and Y moves when I should be getting X and A moves.

[Jayson Kramer]

Billbo you can also call Rob or Denise over at Cad-cam Consulting your dealer and they will help you.

[bilbo]

Axis substitution appears to work.

[Dave.L]

quote:

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Axis substitution appears to work.

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Respectfully,

 

You might want to thank Ron and the others for the help.

 

[ 04-22-2010, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: Dave Lelonek ]

[bigjohn]

quote:

---

Respectfully,

 

You might want to thank Ron and the others for the help.

---

Mate, you'll be shocked to know how many people thank for help given here. Just read the questions and answers in the forum. "Thank you" is not in everybody's dictionary, unfortunately.

 

 

John.

[bilbo]

Thanks for your help guys. But I am not satisfied with this answer. I do not like the look of a square bottom. I want the full radius single pass look to follow a true type font. If mastercam cannot do this, do you know of any other systems out there that can?

[Code_Breaker]

Can you put the file on the FTP Site? or email it to me?

 

I think I can help ...

[bilbo]

One more question on the use of stick fonts. I have Corel draw and it is supplied with 10 single line fonts. I can use them in any application except Mastercam such as MS Word.

 

Does anyone know why Mastercam does not show them?

[htm01]

if its "true type font" you should be able to use it

[bilbo]

I just noticed that they are a type 1 font.

It is a post script font, whatever that means...

I have no other fonts on my system like them.