VeeCAD - G Code generator

phaedrus YaBB Newbies Offline Your message here... Posts: 31	G Code generator Feb 27^th, 2017 at 6:34pm Hello Roger, Any plans to make a gcode generator for cutting tracks ?I think it will be a useful feature ,since low cost CNC machines from china are available. Thomas
Back to top	IP Logged

HELLI

YaBB Newbies

Offline

Your message here...

Posts: 44
Ireland

Re: G Code generator
Reply #1 - Feb 27^th, 2017 at 9:02pm

Hi Thomas,
I have written a Gcode generator of sorts to cut tracks from the breaks file. It is "sort of" because it creates a file which is read by d2nc which then outputs the Gcode.
I suppose that it could create Gcode directly but it would be a fair bit of work and it works for me the way it is. So I don't have any incentive to do it, and this is not a way to indirectly ask for money. I have retired and I have enough on my plate from other activities.

Back to top

IP Logged

Roger Lascelles

Administrator

Offline

Posts: 491
Clifton Springs, Australia

Re: G Code generator
Reply #2 - Mar 1^st, 2017 at 6:00am

Hello Thomas and Hamilton

It's an interesting idea. Perhaps you can tell me more about routing the cuts:

Will a "standard" G-code file work for all or most systems, or would VeeCAD have to provide some configuration items?
What about the Z-axis? Do all machines have variable Z, or are some simply tool-up/tool-down?
I would appreciate seeing a typical G-code file for track cutting.
What reference location do you use for the cutter?

It's not just track cutting that interests me. Possibly VeeCAD could remove all unused copper and holes and generate a PCB in Gerber/Image/G-code format.

Back to top

Roger

IP Logged

HELLI

YaBB Newbies

Offline

Your message here...

Posts: 44
Ireland

Re: G Code generator
Reply #3 - Mar 1^st, 2017 at 8:03pm

Hi Roger,
Gcode for this sort of cuts is universal. It is only when you start doing the esoteric arcs and suchlike that there can be differences.

The Z axis for all full mills or routers is in the same units as the other axes, a machine only giving up and down would be very limited. You might want to cut deeper to separate boards.

I will attach some files for examples. I have put them into 1 file as that is all that is allowed. I will send another message to be able to show a .png of the cuts.

The reference location is what you want but the bottom left is the easiest because it doesn't have any negative moves.

There are a number of programs which will mill circuits so it may not be necessary to generate full boards.

Back to top

example.txt (4 KB | 342 )

IP Logged

HELLI YaBB Newbies Offline Your message here... Posts: 44 Ireland	Re: G Code generator Reply #4 - Mar 1^st, 2017 at 8:04pm 2nd message to see .png file
Back to top	testbreaks.png (10 KB \| 202 ) IP Logged

phaedrus

YaBB Newbies

Offline

Your message here...

Posts: 31

Re: G Code generator
Reply #5 - Mar 19^th, 2017 at 8:39pm

Hi Roger,
VeeCAD has a lot of advantages when it comes to prototyping.Even with SMT ICs,you can mount them on a DIP converter board and work as if it is a DIP component.Somehow I find the track cutting is the most onerous part of the and a GCODE milling generator will be really fun to use.
Do consider if this is feasible and can be done.
Thomas

Back to top

IP Logged

phaedrus YaBB Newbies Offline Your message here... Posts: 31	Re: G Code generator Reply #6 - Mar 19^th, 2017 at 8:49pm Hi Hamilton, Thanks for your suggestions. I was wondering if there is some method to make a dxf file of the cuts.There are quite a few dxf to gcode converters,which could probably be used,so that VeeCAD per se need not do the gcode generation. Thomas
Back to top	IP Logged

HELLI YaBB Newbies Offline Your message here... Posts: 44 Ireland	Re: G Code generator Reply #7 - Mar 20^th, 2017 at 12:26am Hi Thomas, I don't know the structure of a DFX file. I could have created a G-code file from the dot per file. I just used D2nc because I had it and it will allow you to create arrays of your board. Regards, Hamilton
Back to top	IP Logged

Roger Lascelles Administrator Offline Posts: 491 Clifton Springs, Australia	Re: G Code generator Reply #8 - Mar 20^th, 2017 at 4:50am I see there is some interest from users, and I would like to proceed with adding G-code output to VeeCAD. I don't see any major problems. Hamilton, would you be so kind as to email me a .per file and corresponding G-code? We might need a couple of iterations before everyone is happy, but I'm sure we can get it done.
Back to top	Roger IP Logged

HELLI YaBB Newbies Offline Your message here... Posts: 44 Ireland	Re: G Code generator Reply #9 - Mar 20^th, 2017 at 10:48am Hi Roger, I will send them privately with my source code. It may be helpful. Hamilton
Back to top	IP Logged

phaedrus YaBB Newbies Offline Your message here... Posts: 31	Re: G Code generator Reply #10 - Mar 20^th, 2017 at 8:26pm Roger,Hamilton: Thanks for the enthusiasm and interest.I have a feeling this will be a very useful feature. Eagerly waiting for the new release! Cheers Thomas
Back to top	IP Logged

Roger Lascelles Administrator Offline Posts: 491 Clifton Springs, Australia	Re: G Code generator Reply #11 - Mar 22^nd, 2017 at 2:10am I will include this in the next release. Hopefully a few weeks. Excellent discussion, all.
Back to top	Roger IP Logged

phaedrus YaBB Newbies Offline Your message here... Posts: 31	Re: G Code generator Reply #12 - Mar 24^th, 2017 at 4:51pm Hi Hamilton, What kind of milling cutters would you recommend for this? People use V cutters for isolation milling,would those be adequate ? Do you face a problem with burrs ? Do share your tips when convenient. Thomas
Back to top	IP Logged

HELLI

YaBB Newbies

Offline

Your message here...

Posts: 44
Ireland

Re: G Code generator
Reply #13 - Mar 24^th, 2017 at 10:08pm

I use a v point and usually cut tracks between holes rather than on the hole. I never have a problem with burrs. I set a spindle speed of about 3000 which is the max on a Sherline with standard pulleys, with the high speed pulleys you can go to about 10000.
I use an aluminium plate which I have drilled and tapped on 25mm grid which I can use to clamp pieces of stripboard.
Regards,
Hamilton

Back to top

IP Logged

DaveJS

YaBB Newbies

Offline

Your message here...

Posts: 30
Wales UK

Re: G Code generator
Reply #14 - Mar 31^st, 2017 at 8:39am

Well you've certainly got me interested! I didn't realise that these small CNC machines even existed let alone they were so inexpensive. I have ordered one from AliExpress and have benifited from their sale this week. I look forward to its arrival and getting it to run with the new features expected in VeeCad. Once again Roger does us proud.

Back to top

IP Logged

	Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register