Hai-Lee
Old and Bold RC PILOT
This thread will be spread over a long time period and is aimed to hopefully explain the individual steps that I took and the software packages I used to get a CNC cutter built and fully functional. Whilst I will be using a couple of the FT designs as examples it is just to use a resource that is free to all forum users so that they can replicate my journey should they decide to. Another reason for the time anticipated it is due entirely to my lack of finances and so monetary expenditure steps will require a pause before being effected, (Sorry about that but it is what it is).
My setup;
3D printer: Tronxy Educational
Recommended:NO
Cost in AUD: $200 plus mods T.B.A.
3D printer software: Repetier Host
Recommended: Yes, (adequate and simple)
Cost in AUD: Free (Bundled with printer)
Slicer: Cura
Recommended: Yes
Cost in AUD: Free (Bundled with printer)
PDF to SVG conversion: Inkscape
Recommended: YES, (and its FREE!!!)
Cost in AUD: FREE
3D modelling software T.B.A.
CNC machine design T.B.A.
Cutter head T.B.A.
A while ago, about 3 months ago I finally was convinced that if I am wanting to build LOTS and LOTS of planes without developing some serious physical injury I should look at automating the process. I had been watching the "Cutting foam sheets with a needle thread", (a great and informative thread). I recommend that anyone interested in using a CNC machine to cut out their creations to read it fully, (a couple of times at least).
Anyway the decision was made and I had little or no experience with CNC or the often mentioned software packages that are used in making the design available and understandable by the CNC machine. As most of the effort of assembly, (or gathering the parts on the parts list required a lot of money to get other peoples work delivered to the other side of the world and as 3D printers are basically just a CNC machine it became my first objective to obtain a cheap 3D printer. At the time I had no real ability to assess the sizes of the pieces to be printed but I knew that a 100x100 bed machine would be too small I purchased a Tronxy Educational model from Aliexpress which was delivered from China for $200 AUD, (it has a 150x150 bed).
After a few tribulations including the need to replace a bowed and twisted printing bed I managed to get a reasonably solid and reliable printer! My first hurdle overcome! Using the Slicing software on the STL files supplied for the various CNC foam cutting machines, (of any real size), I discovered that the required bed length was around 200mm. So the parts for the bed expansion are to be ordered. Luckily in my case I only require a longer drive belt length and a single piece of aluminium channel.
Whilst I was getting to know the ins and outs of my 3D printer I must have printed almost anything I considered as useful and actually burned through half a kilo of PLA. 3D printing takes a fair amount of time so as I had time to burn waiting for my latest print I got into learning the software that came with the printer. Now if I get an STL file I can turn out a pretty precise article in my 3D printer. Second hurdle overcome! I am making progress.
While waiting for the parts to arrive for my printer upgrade I looked into the software to convert plans into the appropriate file format to drive a CNC machine. After a few FREE failures I was pointed towards Inkscape. IT IS FREE and it works! Now I am learning to turn PDF files into SVG files for the CAD program which I will use and so far has not been determined. Third hurdle overcome! An evaluation is currently chewing up my time but I am learning a fair bit as I go.
More later!
My setup;
3D printer: Tronxy Educational
Recommended:NO
Cost in AUD: $200 plus mods T.B.A.
3D printer software: Repetier Host
Recommended: Yes, (adequate and simple)
Cost in AUD: Free (Bundled with printer)
Slicer: Cura
Recommended: Yes
Cost in AUD: Free (Bundled with printer)
PDF to SVG conversion: Inkscape
Recommended: YES, (and its FREE!!!)
Cost in AUD: FREE
3D modelling software T.B.A.
CNC machine design T.B.A.
Cutter head T.B.A.
A while ago, about 3 months ago I finally was convinced that if I am wanting to build LOTS and LOTS of planes without developing some serious physical injury I should look at automating the process. I had been watching the "Cutting foam sheets with a needle thread", (a great and informative thread). I recommend that anyone interested in using a CNC machine to cut out their creations to read it fully, (a couple of times at least).
Anyway the decision was made and I had little or no experience with CNC or the often mentioned software packages that are used in making the design available and understandable by the CNC machine. As most of the effort of assembly, (or gathering the parts on the parts list required a lot of money to get other peoples work delivered to the other side of the world and as 3D printers are basically just a CNC machine it became my first objective to obtain a cheap 3D printer. At the time I had no real ability to assess the sizes of the pieces to be printed but I knew that a 100x100 bed machine would be too small I purchased a Tronxy Educational model from Aliexpress which was delivered from China for $200 AUD, (it has a 150x150 bed).
After a few tribulations including the need to replace a bowed and twisted printing bed I managed to get a reasonably solid and reliable printer! My first hurdle overcome! Using the Slicing software on the STL files supplied for the various CNC foam cutting machines, (of any real size), I discovered that the required bed length was around 200mm. So the parts for the bed expansion are to be ordered. Luckily in my case I only require a longer drive belt length and a single piece of aluminium channel.
Whilst I was getting to know the ins and outs of my 3D printer I must have printed almost anything I considered as useful and actually burned through half a kilo of PLA. 3D printing takes a fair amount of time so as I had time to burn waiting for my latest print I got into learning the software that came with the printer. Now if I get an STL file I can turn out a pretty precise article in my 3D printer. Second hurdle overcome! I am making progress.
While waiting for the parts to arrive for my printer upgrade I looked into the software to convert plans into the appropriate file format to drive a CNC machine. After a few FREE failures I was pointed towards Inkscape. IT IS FREE and it works! Now I am learning to turn PDF files into SVG files for the CAD program which I will use and so far has not been determined. Third hurdle overcome! An evaluation is currently chewing up my time but I am learning a fair bit as I go.
More later!
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