I cut this yesterday

[grsthegreat]

It is impressive ... I'm amazed everytime. Take a picture, drawing whatever and before long its being cut. It boggles my mind! I'm a computer idiot and to think someone had to write all that programming .... move this direction, cut here, up down ... when I get one cut ...I'm kinda like "oh ya man" !!!!

there is quite an extensive learning curve, that is the truth. I thought it would be easier to get up and running, but it took quite a long time. I use mine in the beginning making craft faire items for the wife and made lots of custom framing brackets for log and timber framed homes. The brackets were cool cause you can add an elk to the bracket, or bear, or whatever. They were cut out of 3/16 and 1/4" plate, complete with bolt holes.
The crash of housing in 2008 pretty much killed that work. Housing is up, but large custom log and timber framed sure havnt restarted. At the craft shows, no one had $$$ to spend, so the wife lost interest.
Nowdays i use it mostly to make whatever part i need at the time. I used it ladt week to make 2 base brackets for a 12' steel curtain rod to cover access to a jacuzzi.
I make parts for a couple of custom hotrod builders in the area who also use my box brake and roller.
My next project will involve making some custom exterior lights for the house. They will take several trial and error projects.

 

[blueriver]

I bought mine about a year ago ... simply because of the cost of farming out parts for the units I build. Should have bought it 5 years ago. When I finely figured out the process I got up and running.

Added a water pan, THC and a floating head.

 

[grsthegreat]

I wish I had a water pan. I have the THC and that's been a great tool. Saves a lot of head damage .mine uses a laser to find the surface

 

[Rustyiron]

It is impressive ... I'm amazed everytime. Take a picture, drawing whatever and before long its being cut. It boggles my mind! I'm a computer idiot and to think someone had to write all that programming .... move this direction, cut here, up down ... when I get one cut ...I'm kinda like "oh ya man" !!!!

Is it as you say? That's what has been holding me back, no computer skills, this and other "forum's" is about it for my computer need's and skills.:laughing: BUT I a can work a camera. Could you take a pic of a scale drawing and??

 

[blueriver]

Is it as you say? That's what has been holding me back, no computer skills, this and other "forum's" is about it for my computer need's and skills.:laughing: BUT I a can work a camera. Could you take a pic of a scale drawing and??

It is ... I still have alot of problems understanding things like inkscape, paint, drawings ... I'm fortunate to have a close friend who is a computer guy ... he runs a computer like I run equipment!!!! When the need arises I send email him he quickly does it emails it back ... I put it on a thumb drive then put it on the computer and cut ... I'm fairly good with sheetcam and mach 3

Now to your question ... are you asking ... Can I take a pic of a scale drawing and cut it out? I'd have to say I can ... But I'd sure like to look at it first!!

 

[grsthegreat]

With my system i can either do the artwork with autocad, scan a detailed drawing, or draw with coral. Then i can export the image as a bmp in black and white. Trace that image with either autoocad or other software, and import that trace to software called Enroute. Enroute is the main software that nests the images, sets the start and stop points of the torch head, determines where to engage the start so the initial cut damage occures outside the piece i want, and sets the speed and steps involved in the cut so i cut all inside pieces first then the outside piece.

This was my most expensive piece of software. But it will rotate the cut pattern to optimize the number of cuts i can get from a piece of sheet steel.

 

[blueriver]

With my system i can either do the artwork with autocad, scan a detailed drawing, or draw with coral. Then i can export the image as a bmp in black and white. Trace that image with either autoocad or other software, and import that trace to software called Enroute. Enroute is the main software that nests the images, sets the start and stop points of the torch head, determines where to engage the start so the initial cut damage occures outside the piece i want, and sets the speed and steps involved in the cut so i cut all inside pieces first then the outside piece.

This was my most expensive piece of software. But it will rotate the cut pattern to optimize the number of cuts i can get from a piece of sheet steel.

There are so many choices out there ... my setup came with Inkscape, Sheetcam and Mach 3 ... I read about other software and think aw that sounds good ... then I say heck I've not yet got this all fiqured out!! I'm searching Enroute Now!!

 

[grsthegreat]

There are so many choices out there ... my setup came with Inkscape, Sheetcam and Mach 3 ... I read about other software and think aw that sounds good ... then I say heck I've not yet got this all fiqured out!! I'm searching Enroute Now!!

enroute with nesting cost about $1,300 back when i gotit. I needed the nesting back in the days i was cutting out a full sheet of parts at a time. Now days its usually a few parts at a time.

I just cut out a nice clean piece of 1/4" diamond plate aluminum for a guy. Neverr cut alum before. Came out beautifully. Amazingly clean cut

 

[blueriver]

enroute with nesting cost about $1,300 back when i gotit. I needed the nesting back in the days i was cutting out a full sheet of parts at a time. Now days its usually a few parts at a time.

I just cut out a nice clean piece of 1/4" diamond plate aluminum for a guy. Neverr cut alum before. Came out beautifully. Amazingly clean cut

I've got the nesting feature in sheetcam and use it for multiple part cutouts ... I never have cut aluminum its odd that you mention it cause I just took an order for artwork piece out of 1/8" ... did you use the same settings for the it as you do for mild steel? Same amps and IPM?

 

[grsthegreat]

yes, it seemed to cut the same. On the diamond plate I put that facing down so I cut on the flat side.