making wood signs

[nydheart]

Hi all, I am finally ready to use my rockcliff to make up some 6x10 hole signs for my golf course. The problem is I have no idea where to go from here. I am not familiar with any type of software for doing CNC. I will attach a couple of pictures of potential signs I would like to try to do on the machine and if anyone could help me out with how to go about doing them it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for everyones help.

Nyd,

[Switcher]

Have you tried the Vcarve Demo?
http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectr.../vcp_index.htm



The Vectric forum has more info/users (here on the zone).
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/vectric/


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[thkoutsidthebox]

Yup, I use V-Carve Pro. You could draw those up in about 5 minutes, then just cut them.

http://www.vectric.com/

[nydheart]

When you use v-carve, does it acutally do the cutting for you or do you have to use a different program to do the cutting? How does the program know where the center of your wood is? Do you have to set parameters for this? Thanks.

Nyd,

[dertsap]

vcarve demo's only allow a guy to post the vcarve samples , so anything you design on vcarve will be worthless if you want to do any machining

[ger21]

V-Carve creates the G-code for the control software. You need machine control software to run the machine, like Mach3 or TurboCNC.

[Switcher]

How does the program know where the center of your wood is? Do you have to set parameters for this? Thanks.

Yes, in the Vcarve program it allows you to set all the parameters that you will need for your material that you will be cutting.

It's really a great program for signs.

I attached a couple of quick samples of what is possible with Vcarve.

Just to show how easy the program is, the two attached photos took about 10 min. from start to finish, not bad!

So after the signs are created in Vcarve, you can take the g-code (Vcarve) created & load that into your machine control (Mach3 etc...) & cut your sign out.

Vcarve allows you to keep making changes that you can see in real time, until you get the exact sign that you want.

Get the demo (it's free) play around with the program, see what you can make.





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[Switcher]

I should also mention that "Vcarve Pro" is $495

http://www.vectric.com/WebSite/Vectr...s/purchase.htm

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[11bravo]

1192?
That must be one BIG golf course.

Greg

[Switcher]

1192?
That must be one BIG golf course.

Greg

Yeah, I hope that was an address, & not the hole!

I just copied the sample signs that nydheart posted in the first thread.




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[nydheart]

Yeah, its really only 18 holes! Thanks for the input. Just a few more questions if I may. Any suggestions on how to test my machine to make sure it actually works before I purchase v-carve? I have Mach3, does it have a test function in it? Also, I have a dewalt finishing router as my cutting motor that can accept 1/8 and 1/4 inch tools. What blade would I use to cut out the signs with? Lastly (whew!) once you use v-carve to design the sign and then import it into Mach3, how does Mach3 know what kind of router you are using and the speed at which your machine turns the blade? Thanks again!

Nyd,

[Switcher]

When you try the Vcarve demo, it has a few sample files that will allow you to test how Vcarve works, that way you are 100% sure that Vcarve is right for you.

You should run one of the sample files in the demo before spending any money!

Like the "Open" sign below.

Others here on the zone should be able to help you out with Mach3, also I believe Mach3 has a sample or 2 included with the demo (Mach3). So you can try that out for free also.



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