Engraving Serial Numbers

[drk]

Hey guys, thanks for looking,

I need some help finding a software that will let me engrave serial numbers from say 1 to XXXXX. I got my self into this trouble after I engraved some PCBs for a friend using DeskCNC and now he wants me to do this on thousands.

If there is something I can use I wouldnt mind building a 4"X4"X1" micro cnc just to do this, should be a good project.



Waiting for ur comments.


Cheers

Dev

[bill south]

You may try deskengrave (use google) for your text needs. It's very simple and free. And oh by the way, did I mention that It's free!!!
Enjoy
Bill

[drk]

Thanks Bill,

but the deskengrave dosent create toolpaths for serial numbers,

I did however find something similar to what i need at 2linc.com, only thing is that its $350 or something, let me try my luck finding something cheaper or maybe even free, if not, I guess I will have to buy this.

Dev

[jimini]

I think I remember reading that Turbo CNC(TCNC) was capable of doing serial numbers, you might want to ask on their Forum.
http://www.dakeng.com/index.html

This is from the TCNC manual. I don't know if it will do what you want.
Set Cycle Count

You can set the cycle count to any number from 0 to 99,999 with this menu option. This is typically used for keeping track of production volume, and in some cases for establishing part serialization.
Note that each time a g-code file is run to completion (Single Cycle, Piecework or Automated modes), a “joblog.txt” file is updated in the current directory with the time/date stamp, cycle length, and the file name. Keeps track of your billable machine hours.


Here's something else to check:
http://www.luberth.com/plotter/dwtechniek.htm

[roonster71]

2L inc. has an engraving program that will do serial numbers

http://www.2linc.com/engraving_software.htm

oops i see its already posted

[cnczoner]

I thought that (once I get my mill setup properly) I'd use it for logo/model/serial numbers as well. I was thinking though that it should be relatively easy to write a C program under Linux to generate the g-code for sequential serial numbers and put a pause between them (requiring my action, like a tool-change does) so I could change the part.

[drk]

Its cool if you can see through it cnczoner, I would have done it if I hadnt stopped writing codes 7 years back, but just in case you do write something like that, put up a compiled executable file here, for everyone to bless you for.


Cheers


Dev

[cnczoner]

I think it would be easy, even though I have not programmed C in a while. (I do mostly microcontroller assembly nowadays). Not a problem though, but I use Linux for these things cause I can type code in any text editor, compile and run. Windows coding requires me to purchase some development tool that will first ask me to setup a project, setup the environment with window sizes, dialog boxes, etc, then a week later I get to actually write code. Ugh! So any executable I write will be unix-code, or I don't mind giving out the C-code. If someone knows of a simple Windows scripting-like or interpreted code development system, let me know. I can do C or Basic.

As I'm still new to machining/CNC though, I'll need some quick assistance on one thing... how does code M6 work? I know it's for "tool change", but how exactly does it work? Does it bring the machine to a home position and wait? Does it just pause in place (and how does the operator tell it to continue after the tool is changed)? Does it pause for a short time and restart after some specified time? Does it actually just invoke a turret or something to change to the next tool?

Here's why I ask... I intend to write the code so that the user enters a starting serial number and amount of numbers to iterate through. Then it will spit out g-code (in a file) to engrave the first serial number, pause (using the M6 command), then do the next, pause, etc. Scaling can be done with the controller software, or I can perhaps add scaling later.

The more I think about this, I can't see why I couldn't get this done in just a few evenings.

Cheers,
-Neil.

[Bent]

There is a number engraving macro for fanuc controllers. Just feed the numbers and it will do the job. Should be easy to add to the macro so the numbers is running up.

Bent

[Bent]

opps forgot

http://www.cncci.com/resources/tips/serial%20macro.htm

Bent