Re: Engraving (Dolphin does this)

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., glee@i... wrote:

>
> Engraving (Dolphin does this)
>
> I recall a question recently on this forum and the Sherline forum

that

> asked about engraving software to generate G-Code. I went back to

my

> Dolphin CAD/CAM software and found that the recent releases 6.x and

greater

> have what appears to be very elaborate engraving routines. These

appear to

> include multi-line text, multiple fonts, True-Type fonts, and wrap

text

> around curves, cylinders, etc. I say "appear" because I am not yet

at the

> point where I have used this personally other than to test the

examples. I

> have opened the sample files and run the verifier and it looks good

to me

> -- a novice.
>
> Disclaimer: I have not, as of yet, generated any G-Code or actually
> engraved anything. I just tried this in response to some of the

questions

> on the list.
>
> Perhaps someone else on this list has already done so using

Dolphin. If so,

> I would appreciate hearing from you.
>
>
> Eric

Hi Eric,
Although I haven't cut metal using the new Dolphin turning module
myself, two of my customers are using it, and are very impressed.
They really like the new graphics, tool, tailstock & billet
simulation. The ability to cut profiles using a square (turn/groove)
tool is excellent.
I too have been testing this for quite some time, and am very
impressed that it can turn jobs that some very expensive Cam turning
packages had got stuck with.
If you liked their old DOS turning stuff, you'll love this new
module. All of your old DOS programs can be imported into the new
version.

As for the engraving, I produced a company logo (mainly text) the
other day for one of my customers, using Dolphin.
There are three ways of engraving in Dolphin.
1/ You can convert any True Type Font text in the CAD side, into
machineable contours. These can then be passed to the CAM module for
machining as per normal contours (area clear with islands, go-round
etc.).
2/ You can create simple engraving directly in the CAM module. This
is ideal for marking of parts (part No. etc.). this can be at an
angle, mirrored, round an arc etc. There is a choice of about 7 fonts
for this purpose.
3/ You can create complex engraving using any of your installed True
Type Fonts. The machining traces aound the outside of the letters.
The text can have the above transformations applied to it, and they
can also be 'fitted' to contour.

The 4th axis function allows the post processor to 'wrap' any
machining produced in the milling module, around a cylinder. This is
dependant on a suitable post processor being used.

Dave Pearson