Need Help!- engraving with v22 - cutter parameters

[brooklynmetal]

If I understand correctly the chained geometry in question is the combination of straight lines and arcs found in all letters.
If a font's geometry is "junk" how is this determined?
If a tool path error occurs it could be either be a bad font or a bad CAM reading or I guess even a post processor error. In addition it could also be a poor cutter or a poorly chosen cutter.
Therefore:
Question: when does one use a tapered engraving tool vs. any other tool and how does one determine .ttf compatibility?

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by HMB3000 using an ingraving bit for a pocket routine is kind of buggie in itself. It not uncommon when people can't get the results they want to just say it a bug. Even thou someone else sends you a font file you need to look close at it. as with some fonts the chained geomitry is sometime junk

That is funny but after some research there is a bug. This bug really isn't a bug with BCC. It is a bug in Microsoft Fonts. Seeing that I spend most of my time dealing with parts not engraving I asked a good friend about Fonts and their reaction to CAM software. He informed me of some fonts are better while others are buggy when doing any type of engraving.

I suggest you use a different font or clean the geometry of the font after Vectorization before posting your code.

[The One]

brooklynmetal,

It looks to me like you are using a Windows font. Is that true? If it is then this explains the cuts you are getting with the Engraving option.

Because the font, when vectorized, is a profile of the letter you have a path on both sides. This is why you have the islands in the center of the letters. The Engraving option is designed so that you can create a centerline cut using the defined geometry. It is not a Pocket style toolpath.

For Windows fonts you are going to want to use a Pocket Toolpath not an Engraving type. This will confine the tool to the inside of the letters you are trying to cut.

Regards

[brooklynmetal]

Originally Posted by tobyaxis That is funny but after some research there is a bug. This bug really isn't a bug with BCC. It is a bug in Microsoft Fonts. Seeing that I spend most of my time dealing with parts not engraving I asked a good friend about Fonts and their reaction to CAM software. He informed me of some fonts are better while others are buggy when doing any type of engraving. I suggest you use a different font or clean the geometry of the font after Vectorization before posting your code.

Toby,
Thanks, I will check to see what I did with the differant tests I ran.
I did not use Bob Art but imported type layout as 2D .dwg file into BCC.
I will try a small ball end mill and use a Window font as a pocket and test it out.

[brooklynmetal]

Originally Posted by The One brooklynmetal, It looks to me like you are using a Windows font. Is that true? If it is then this explains the cuts you are getting with the Engraving option. Because the font, when vectorized, is a profile of the letter you have a path on both sides. This is why you have the islands in the center of the letters. The Engraving option is designed so that you can create a centerline cut using the defined geometry. It is not a Pocket style toolpath. For Windows fonts you are going to want to use a Pocket Toolpath not an Engraving type. This will confine the tool to the inside of the letters you are trying to cut. Regards

The One,

Thanks, I tried using a Corel and Word type layout with Bob Art V22 but it was going to be a huge amount of work to clean up the type. Next I took a 2D .dwg text layout in full scale and imported it into BCC. Wouldnt this .dwg file already be a vector file? I will have to check and see if I created an engraving path or a pocket tool path. I will set up some new tests. The CNC requires a lot of time and patience but it is very enjoyable. Best

[The One]

brooklynmetal,

If you imported a DWG file with text in it, then it may be a vector file. The problem here is that when you vectorize Windows Fonts, you get an outline of the letter, just the edges. So it is not a centerline representation of the text, which is likely what you are looking for with the information you have posted so far.

When you generate an Engraving Feature for this geometry, you will have the tool cutting centered on the line. This is how you end up with those areas that are left standing.

A pocket might take a little more effort to make sure that your depth and step over are what you are after, but it shouldn't leave the areas in the center raised as it has in your previous postings.

Regards

[cadcam]

Well I have use a 60deg engraving tool for finish path across the entire surface with good luck. Here is the coin I did.
I have also used them for other 3d work of a customers part needing fine detail on acrylic.

[tina]

because of the parameter of the cutter is not correct

[tobyaxis]

Originally Posted by cadcam Well I have use a 60deg engraving tool for finish path across the entire surface with good luck. Here is the coin I did. I have also used them for other 3d work of a customers part needing fine detail on acrylic.

Very nice coin cadcam. Excellent Detail!!!!!! Using fine point engraving tools always work for applications such as this.

What version of MC did you use and does it have the Art Add-On?

[HMB3000]

Originally Posted by cadcam Well I have use a 60deg engraving tool for finish path across the entire surface with good luck. Here is the coin I did. I have also used them for other 3d work of a customers part needing fine detail on acrylic.

yes you did a very nice job. right tool for the right job. But I still use ball mills for pocket type fonts. I will use an ingraving bit for stick font.

[cadcam]

HMB I do both. of course it matters on the aplacation kind of like the coin. this was done with two tools, the one I spoke of and the other a 1/16 ball for roughing.