Is there a way to sue the bot to plot something?

[knight_toolworks]

not sure if that's the right term. I have a furniture maker who gives me parts drawn on a sheet of cardboard. I used to measure it then chuck my laser and check my drawing against his. now I use the laser to find the measurements and it is faster. but I have to sit down at my computer and set guide lines for each spot. is it possible to somehow record the spot with the machine then import that file?

[adrianm]

You could write an SBP routine that records the current co-ordinates each time you position the laser and then write the file out when you've finished.

Then use the SB3 file conversion routine to convert it to DXF and import that into Partworks/VCarve etc.

I suppose you could even get the routine to write it out directly as DXF file to start with.

All depends on what your programming skills are like. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has already written something pretty similar though.

[knight_toolworks]

well i could not (G)

[srwtlc]

Wrap the edge with tin foil, stick it down to your table, connect it to the zero plate, put a drill rod blank in the collet and run copy machine.

[myxpykalix]

Scott,
I'm trying to understand your answer but what i read in Steves description "I have a furniture maker who gives me parts drawn on a sheet of cardboard".
says to me that it is a flat drawing...are you thinking that you are getting cut out parts that you then use your descriptive process on?:confused:

or that its up to him to cut the part out THEN run the process?

[srwtlc]

It's up to him. ;) If it's drawn on the cardboard, it could be cut out with a knife/scissors and then wrap the edge of the shape with tin foil, anchor it down, make the connection to the desired input and run the 'Trace the outline of a 2d shape' with copy machine. The resulting .dxf may need some editing (read will), but shouldn't take to long for a simple shape.

[knight_toolworks]

Don't think he would like me hacking it up but the time to cut it and tape it and scan it I doubt would take less time. Here is a quick video using the laser to check the part. I just move it to points to get the measurements make guide lines and draw it up. maybe 30 minutes or so. getting the curves is the only part I have to eyeball and adjust. But I am trying to make it so I don't have to move the machine then sit down and make a guide line it would save even more time.
http://youtu.be/yq-S46Ol5-k

[myxpykalix]

Steve your video isn't long enough for me to figure out whats going on. Does the red laser "read" the lines and write the lines and save them as a dxf?:confused:

[knight_toolworks]

Steve your video isn't long enough for me to figure out whats going on. Does the red laser "read" the lines and write the lines and save them as a dxf?:confused:
no I am using it to check my drawing. I move it manually to get the measurements. All I want is to mark points instead of setting guide lines. I wish the laser read the lines now that would be cool.

[bill.young]

You can record locations while in Keypad mode...here's a brief description from the command reference:

"You can also save a particular location as a move in the command Recorder. For example to save the current location as a J2 move, hit a < 2 >. In this way, you can move the tool around and record the locations that you want to replay as a set of moves. Use [RR] to replay the commands or [RS] to save/edit them."

[donek]

not sure if that's the right term. I have a furniture maker who gives me parts drawn on a sheet of cardboard. I used to measure it then chuck my laser and check my drawing against his. now I use the laser to find the measurements and it is faster. but I have to sit down at my computer and set guide lines for each spot. is it possible to somehow record the spot with the machine then import that file?

Sounds like you want a big scanner. Todays digital cameras are very effective scanners if used properly. The most important thing is to minimize distortion. This is best done with a long focal length. Zoom in as far as you can and then back up until you fit it in the frame. Include a tape measure in the shot and you have an accurate method of scaling your image. Make sure you shoot straight on or place a scale at 90 deg to the first so you can scale in both dimensions. You'll likely want to shoot the image with the camera on a tripod to minimize motion blur. You can then trace the drawing in whatever software you like. This will give you the ability to rapidly take these paper templates and approximate them digitally.

[rb99]

I am probably out of line here, as well as out of my depth, not understanding your laser process, but: Could you trace it by hand on paper, then get a service bureau to scan the paper, then auto trace it into a vector?

[adrianm]

You can record locations while in Keypad mode...here's a brief description from the command reference:

"You can also save a particular location as a move in the command Recorder. For example to save the current location as a J2 move, hit a < 2 >. In this way, you can move the tool around and record the locations that you want to replay as a set of moves. Use [RR] to replay the commands or [RS] to save/edit them."

That sounds just the job to me. Presumably you could use the "File, File [C]onversion" menu item to convert the saved SBP file to DXF for import into PartWorks?

[dana_swift]

Bill Young- your keypad method of digitizing is a great idea. I will experiment with that for my own purposes.

Its manual, but for tracing things that may be a quick and easy way.

I need to go read the fine manual.. reminds me of a plaque a friend of mine got in graduate school, something to the effect of: "A few months in the lab can easily replace a few hours in the library."

Thanks for the suggestion!

D

[bill.young]

There's more current information on the Recording functions in ShopBot Docs in the Command Reference at http://www.shopbotdocs.com/Command-reference.html#sk (http://www.shopbotdocs.com/Command-reference.html#skhttp://).

Years ago I wrote a quick program that used this recording feature with a webcam that was mounted on the gantry and pointed straight down...it made it easy to copy drawings and record key points. It also generated a dxf file and, if I remember correctly, let you change what recorded points did, so that one keystroke might save the location as the endpoint of a line, another might save as a node in a spline, and one might be the center of a circle.

It's been at least 10 years though...if I can dig it up I'll stick it in ShopBot Labs

[knight_toolworks]

the scanner would be good but of course I don't have one and the 10.00 and time to get it done would not save me anything. I use pics of smaller things but I would never get it accurate enough pics unless I invested money and more skill. It may not save a lot of time importing and fixing the drawing after wards.
I ma down to about 30 minutes now if I can save some back and forth time it would save even more. I just need to play around with the recording feature. I did not get it figured out yesterday.