CNC Spirograph

[spalm]

"Metric Mode for the rest of the world"

There is now a toggle for mm/inch which allows bigger numbers and increments the display zoom by either 1 inch or 25 mm. It also gets around the , vs . problem of configured PCs.

At power up the file Default.spr is automatically loaded to set all the default values. The one in the zip file is in inches. To switch to mm, click on "mm" (or conversely "inch") while the intro documentation is displayed and it will load a canned set of values, then save it to Default.spr. Or load Metric.spr, run it, and then save it to Default.spr. You can save any values you want to this default file.

The only time you can switch modes is when nothing is in the playback buffer.

Steve

[Switcher]

Im not sure If anyone has pointed this out yet, If you have a null value in, "Num Spokes" you get a runtime Error (I know, Why would you have a "0" Value, right) After you click "OK" it closes the program (And you lose all the work you have already done). You might consider adding a message box, that is more user friendly, just a thought.



Add to the "Spokes" & "SpokeCircles" Click Event:

If TextBox1.Text <= 0 Then
            MessageBox.Show("You must have a minimum of 1 Spoke", "SpiroCNC", _
            MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information)
End If

Keep up the Great work!

[ger21]

If you're not already, you might also want to use:

If label1.text="" Then .................

or would it be something like:

If box1.value = "" Then ......

[spalm]

Thanks guys, I missed that one(s). I have not spent enough time on range/error checking. Remember “save often, save early”.

I thought I was done with this toy, but I keep getting pulled back in. Maybe I should post it somewhere else. I always feel funny posting new code. I’m not sure what this thing is supposed to do. I get PMs wanting me to add features for debugging and learning aids for Gcode and other drawing options. I spent a bit of time on a feature that will let you select a section of Gcode and it will highlight in the preview window what it will draw. I’m not sure it is all that useful.

What I think I want to do with it is make a rosette cutter. The definition of rosette is rather large, but I think I know what it means. I have added an option for curved spokes that vary the Z axis so that the lowest point is in the middle of the curved spoke, not just the beginning or the end. Trying to get a leaf effect. It looks pretty cool when it works. I have been test cutting in Plexiglas with different depths (to be viewed from the back) and also multiple layers of different stacked up veneers of colored wood. It can look pretty cool. I’m also trying to figure out how to add Bsplines in this environment.

Another option that I have been testing is to flood the background with cross hatches. When cut with a Vgroove bit it leaves a knurled effect. Then place a design on top of it.

Steve

[Andy Smith]

Spalm,

Great fun, many thanks for sharing. Is it possible to add designs, a feature where you can build up diffent designs by added them to the end of the gcode and maybe an undo for the last design.

Cheers
Andy

[Mac T. Knife]

http://www.cutviewer.com/

Originally Posted by spalm OK Does anyone know of a Gcode simulator so I don’t have to run down the basement all the time and try this in Mach2? A 3D Gcode simulator? Steve

[spalm]

Andy, multiple design load with offset comming. See photo.

MTK, thanks.

Photo showing a multiple design using the new option I'm working on to keep gradually dropping the Z to the middle of a curved arc and then gradually raise it again.

Steve

[Jason Marsha]

I was playing with the program today and discovered that if you want to retrace the program steps in order to clean up any fuzzy bits left on the wood without running the program again , edit the code so that the program goes back up the spoke it just cut , thus allowing the router to cut in the opposite direction to which it came. It worked for some soft pine I was cutting. This retracing also corrects a tiny flaw at the deepest part of the spoke where the router/Z-axis shifts slightly under the load at the deep end. I was cutting at 40"min then 30"min then 20"min with the deep end of the spoke at about .31" or 5/16. The runtime of the program is only slightly increased as the program moves towards the center of the cut in any case.

I cut three different woods and then MDF so far and found that Purpleheart although being the hardest , gave the cleanest cut followed by cedar and pine giving the worst cut. The alternating hard and soft bands in the pine cased little jumps in the finish. MDF of course was overall King of the clean cuts (The dust is a killer though).
I still have to workout a feedrate/RPM combo for purpleheart as it burns easily. My DeWalt 610 is on its last legs and I may have to go with 2.25hp 618 series.

Jason

[spalm]

I have been holding on to this for several weeks, hoping for something more inspiring. But no inspiration has happened. I had stated that these features would be coming, so here it is.

Allows multiple designs to be loaded (built up) without clearing.
Allows designs to be loaded with offsets.
Has the concept of arc shift (really a spline) that will bend the arc. Use values from 1 to negative 1 to bend it. Try .5 or -.5 for a start.
Has the concept of MidZ for arcs (splines) or straight spokes which will start at InZ, drop to OutZ, and then back to InZ. (Sounded better than it looks, but heh)

ArcShift and MidZ only work for Spokes and X’Gon.

Guess this is about all for this little toy, now back to building my next machine.
Steve

[ynneb]

You ran this project well and finished it off nicely too.
I remember when I first build my router but had no way of generating code, I would have loved to have had this tool. You have really contributed substancially to this community, especially to those who are new and desperate to try out thier machines on some code.
Thanks again.

[Switcher]

spalm,

I just wanted to say thank you, also, for a cool program.

I'm not sure If you have posted this in the download section, or not. I would hate for this program to get buried in all the threads this site has to offer.

Would you consider making this opensource, maybe others could contribute, as they have time. adding options, debugging, even porting over to VB.NET.
It could evolve into something larger.

Just curious.

Again, Great Job.

.

[kosymailman]

Thanks Spalm for a nice program. It has been a while since anyone has posted here so I hope you see how much I appreciate your work. More programs like this is what us beginners need. We can kinda design out projects. Beside being very simple, it makes some very interesting & pretty designs to carve. I could see some pretty cabinet doors in the future with this program.

thanks again