I once saw a few years ago an app in Windows 3.11 that operated a
glass engraver to replicate an on-screen design. Does anyone know of
software and hardware that will allow me to create a shape onscreen
then have a bandsaw/jigsaw cut out the shape for me please?
The material will only be thick card or thin ply, nothing heavy duty,
BJ
"BJ" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I once saw a few years ago an app in Windows 3.11 that operated a
> glass engraver to replicate an on-screen design. Does anyone know of
> software and hardware that will allow me to create a shape onscreen
> then have a bandsaw/jigsaw cut out the shape for me please?
> The material will only be thick card or thin ply, nothing heavy duty,
>
> BJ
Depending on the thickness of card you may be able to get away with a sign
cutting machine, some use rotating bits, others use swiveling blades. If
you want to go the DIY route there are plenty of inexpensive CNC home
designs.
However, unless you are going to buy a commercial package, be prepared for a
steep learning curve.
If you need links to self build CNC sites contact me off list.
Bernard R
On Fri, 09 Apr 2004 08:25:35 -0500, Morris Dovey <[email protected]>
wrote:
>BJ wrote:
>> I once saw a few years ago an app in Windows 3.11 that
>> operated a glass engraver to replicate an on-screen design.
>> Does anyone know of software and hardware that will allow me
>> to create a shape onscreen then have a bandsaw/jigsaw cut out
>> the shape for me please? The material will only be thick card
>> or thin ply, nothing heavy duty,
>
>BJ...
>
>You can do that with a CNC router. I have bits as small as 1/32";
>but even smaller bits are available.
>
>What size workpiece do you want to be able to cut?
routers (and other spindle tools) lend themselves much better to
computer control than saws, especially for cutting curves, where the
material will have to be rotated through the cut.....
BJ wrote:
> I once saw a few years ago an app in Windows 3.11 that
> operated a glass engraver to replicate an on-screen design.
> Does anyone know of software and hardware that will allow me
> to create a shape onscreen then have a bandsaw/jigsaw cut out
> the shape for me please? The material will only be thick card
> or thin ply, nothing heavy duty,
BJ...
You can do that with a CNC router. I have bits as small as 1/32";
but even smaller bits are available.
What size workpiece do you want to be able to cut?
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto, Iowa USA
BJ wrote:
> I once saw a few years ago an app in Windows 3.11 that operated a
> glass engraver to replicate an on-screen design. Does anyone know of
> software and hardware that will allow me to create a shape onscreen
> then have a bandsaw/jigsaw cut out the shape for me please?
> The material will only be thick card or thin ply, nothing heavy duty,
Depending on how deep you need to cut and how deep your pockets are a
Versalaser might do the job for you <http://www.versalaser.com>.
Unfortunately their site is not very rich in useful information about its
capabilities--lots of "gee whiz you can make stuff that looks like this"
but not much on "will cut through x inches of Peruvian walnut in a single
pass".
>
> BJ
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
BJ wrote:
>> You can do that with a CNC router. I have bits as small as
>> 1/32"; but even smaller bits are available.
>>
>> What size workpiece do you want to be able to cut?
>
> The card is about 1.5 mm thick, max 2cm by about 30 cm
> rectangles
BJ...
You might find the stuff at http://www.precisecut.com useful for
this size range. I have a local acquaintance who uses their
DeskMaster 1420 to cut veneer. You can see that machine at
http://www.precisecut.com/products/equipment/deskmaster/deskmaster.htm
I have a ShopBot PRT-96 (96" x 48" x 6") with a 5hp Colombo
spindle capable of this kind of work. On the ShopBot forum
(http://www.talkshopbot.com) earlier in the week I saw a PRT-48
(48" x 48" x 6") with software, computer, monitor, and controller
(but without router spindle) being offered for sale used at
US$2K. If you were to install a small trim router or laser
cutter, it might do a truly "gee-whiz" job for you - and allow
room to set up multiple/larger workpieces.
HTH
--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto, Iowa USA