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Messages - ggallant571

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61
General Discussion / Odd Homing Behavior
« on: August 12, 2020, 07:38:24 PM »
I have a core-xy etcher that has been in use for over two years. Recently started having odd behavior when performing homing operations. About 50% of the time it works as expected. Triggers the limit switch on the Y rail, backs off a bit, drives the carriage along the X rail till the limit switch trips, and backs off 5 mm. The other 50% it does a small surge and stops wait an "error<-1>" message on the console.

Firmware is grbl-1.1f.

Can replicate in a terminal emulator by typing $h.



62
T2 Engraving / Re: another error message
« on: August 08, 2020, 08:05:23 PM »
Did you mean to post pictures?

63
T2 Engraving / Re: another error message
« on: August 07, 2020, 09:10:19 AM »
Attached is an image with a "shingles" on the roof and a thin vertical line. To get the lines on the roof crisp I lightened up the BLACK on the shed and people. Etched slow at 0.1mm resolution. Not the direction you wanted!

In the end the only thing I liked was the thine vertical white line. Perhaps a similar line where the roof meets the side wall.

64
T2 Engraving / Re: another error message
« on: August 06, 2020, 06:32:26 PM »
I once thought I was wrong, but twas not the case.

65
T2 Engraving / Re: another error message
« on: August 06, 2020, 07:54:02 AM »
I think the "Shed" needs a little decoration. Perhaps adding some shingles to the roof and/or some waves to the edges. Will play this evening  unless you do it first.

66
T2 Engraving / Re: another error message
« on: August 04, 2020, 08:44:43 AM »
@Zax - I agree with your definitions but there are a large group of laser etchers who use the term "vectorise" slightly different. I have asked for clarification but do not get a clear consistent answer. I think (not a good verb for me) that they refer to starting with outlines and letting the tool generate the rasters which they call vectors. Seem to be aligned with the Lightburn community. I think the advantages to this scheme are that the shape can be readily scaled and the laser line density is set at burn time. Nothing that can't be done a multitude of other ways. I'm just annoyed that they reused (redefined) common terms.

A possible side effect is a reduction in time when etching small isolated shapes. Less less laser OFF travel time

I do 99.9% of raster images at 254 dpi because it:
  1. Is mentally easier to do the scaling.
  2. At a resolution that is denser than what the laser can burn.

With strictly ON/OFF images it doesn't matter because I just adjust the speed. For gray tones not so good.

67
Benbox / Re: Another pile of Junk
« on: August 03, 2020, 04:30:45 PM »
I got into laser etching 100% by accident. Bought a 5.5W diode laser to cut clear plexiglas. Lies, lies, and more lies. I think Zax set me straight to the advertising hoax. Saved picture of my dog on computer tried etching on scrap wood. Lots of users supplied guidance and tips. 100's of etching later I am still a beginner relative to technique.

68
T2 Engraving / Re: another error message
« on: August 03, 2020, 04:23:17 PM »
That image is 227x228 pixels. Be somewhat close to 80mm at 72DPI resolution. Why non scale to 800x800 pixels at etch at 0.1. No shade of gray so it would be easy to get a dark burn (an the math is easy!!!).

69
Benbox / Re: Another pile of Junk
« on: August 03, 2020, 07:40:22 AM »
Makerspace is a loose collection of people who share a common workshop. In England I think they are called "He Sheds" or "She Sheds". In the US we typically pay a monthly fee of about $25 and it gets you access to tools that you might not have at home such as Lathes and Milling Machines. Recently they have added 3D printers and laser cutters. They often hold classes and conduct group projects or contests. Good place to meet people who have artisan skills. I moved from an area that had a few to an area which has none. Nearest is over and hours drive.

70
Benbox / Re: Another pile of Junk
« on: August 02, 2020, 10:15:22 AM »
These are truly simple machines. We are the same age and I etch 3 or 4 images every week on home made machines. I am much more primitive than Zax when checking functionality.  I start with a terminal emulator and issue straight GCODE. Only need to learn about 6 commands to control the motors and laser. Easy reading GRBL can be found via Google.

Is there a "Makerspace" near you?

71
T2 Engraving / Re: T2 Enhancement requests
« on: July 30, 2020, 07:57:32 PM »
From my local builds it is also somewhat larger and will not work with the older bootloaders found on some Nano clones.

72
Projects / Re: Wine glass etcher
« on: July 27, 2020, 01:17:35 AM »
Have you thought about how to coat the glass prior to etching. Diode laser passes thru without generating any heat.

73
Projects / Re: Wine glass etcher
« on: July 26, 2020, 02:21:04 PM »
The chuck is spring loaded. 3 jaws expand under pressure towards the outside. Easy to mount glass but it means the image needs to be inverted. The range of glass that fits is limited so there is a different one for each style of glass.

I used openscad to model the fixture. It is a "C" like language for making 2d/3d designs. Popular with programmers and electrical engineers, useless to artists and people comfortable manipulating designs by mouse.

74
Projects / Re: Wine glass etcher
« on: July 26, 2020, 02:11:53 PM »
The rotary table was a hard crank intended for a milling machine. I bought it used for $15US. Removed the hand crank. The shaft diameter matched the diameter of the NEMA 17 motor. Used a generic shaft coupler with a vibration cut. Housing between the table and motor is 3D printed although I probably should have used long screws with simple tubes cut to length.

75
Projects / Re: Wine glass etcher
« on: July 24, 2020, 05:12:25 PM »
Attached are some pictures. Glad to see you are considering making one. I have the parts (somewhere) to get short distance (less than 200mm) non contact measurements. Supposed to work with clear glass. Also thought about adding two cameras and trying to detect the laser line. Having someone else also making one might just get me motivated.

How is the new baby?

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