New Release 2.10

[Mooselake]

Last pass sounds fine for me, too.  I don't know if it's worth specifying a less than full depth for them - my thought is varying the depth per pass slightly so the last pass is whatever tab thickness works out.

Do you need to think about a tab count and width, or can they be a constant number and angle (or minimum width)?  A bit of googling suggests some potential options, minimum tab count, distance between tabs (affected by minimum), and tab width.  For example, say one tab every 20mm, 3 minimum, 3mm wide.  If you have, say, a 61mm perimeter (based on radius, not travel around the teeth ) then you get 4 (always round up?).  If it's 40 you get 3, if the perimeter is less than 12mm then it's just solid and you need to dig out the xacto knife.

Kirk

[ArtF]

Kirk:

  For first go around, Im setting it so you specify the number of tabs per profile and their width.

If a profile is too small, no tabs will be made.. or it may be solid.. ( I havent decided..), but generally if you sepeciy 4 tabs of 2mm width, youll generally get one at each 90 degree point... etc

We'll go form there.. I hope to have them dont within a coupel days, then I need to add a post processor and Ill be able to release the first version of the CNC module I think... couple weeks perhaps..

Art

[ArtF]

Kirk:

  Here's a teaser of how the tabs look. :)

Art

[Jerrywi]

Fantastic Art.

[John T]

This looks great - I've had some close encounters between fingers and cutter on really small gears.  No more such adrenaline  rushes!

John

[Mooselake]

Looks good!  Thanks!  It looks like you've put them in the spoke cutouts too.

I'd vote for solid rather than none on small parts.  It might be more trouble to trim them off, but the little guys are more easily damaged if they move around.

John - being a bit accident prone, and since it's more fun to watch somebody else being sutured (they sometimes let medics watch here if you're quiet and say how much you appreciate it later) I use old toothbrush handles to hold parts for the last few seconds of cutting.

Kirk

[John T]

Hi Kirk,
My comment was a bit tounge in cheek.  I don't have any sutures yet as I use dental picks - usually two - for the last few seconds, that way I can hold it secure.  The tabs along with being able to set the depth of the last pass really makes a difference for me.

John

[John T]

For the smallest (successful) pinion I've ever cut this 5 leaf pinion had to have a solid base and then chiseled off. 

[ArtF]

Thats one SMALL pinion... :)

Art

[John S]

That's one small pinion for man and one small..........

OK I'll get me coat....................

[ArtF]

lol

[ArtF]

Hi All;

  Just a status update on the next version. Im hoping it wont be long for the release of the beta with the new 2.5D cnc module in it.
I have Gcode now being produced, a post processor that you can edit to change the output behaviour such as axis letters or decimal
point precision, toolchange command..etc. We now have a toolbox where you can keep track of tools, and the new WorkBench is now
saved with your projects so Gcode , toolpaths and such are all a part of a saved project. You can pick up where you left off when working
on a project.

  The Tabs system seem to work well too. I have several diagnostics to run as well as a couple of additional graphics items to fix up.
I suspect 1-2 weeks till I put it out. My plan now is to release this version to give more power in CNC op's, to leave the old code in to
ensure if bugs exist you can still post working code. The 2.5D simulation will wait until the 4th axis CNC is redone to match the 2.5D
system in terms of ease of use. The 4th axis, by nature of what it does will be a simulation as much as a cam section so it will take
priority over making a simulation for the 2.5D system. ( I do recommend something like OpenScam ( a free cnc simulator for 2.5D work)
if youd like to simulate the 2.5D code. So once thios new cnc moduile is released, my work will be on the new 4th axis system, then back to
2.5D cnc to turn on engraving and pocketing, the two features not to be turned on in 2.5D machining.
  At the moment there isnt much one would want to pocket .. or engrave so its not much of a limitation. Engraving will be used for things
in future like celtic kots , photo's and Bevel gearing, engraving will also be used in 4th axis for bevels. Pocketing will be used for things made in the
future CAD module..but thats a ways down the road yet so pocketing will remain off till we have objects appropriate to it.

  So... thats the plan, Ill post of course when the video/release of 2.5D machining is imminent..
Thx
Art