Re: Lettering on a circular surface...

> It would be possible to hook your radial table up as an X axis

you

> could calculate the amount of rotation to equal the X movement You
> would have to recalutlate it for each diffent diameter that you use
> though. ie. a 6" diameter would not have the same movement as a 3"
> diameter. I suppose you could figure a formula once you found your
> intail steps per inch of outside revolution. Actually this sounds
> like it might be a fun little project I may try it. it would

actually

> be fairly easy to do I think.
>
> Jeff Tice

Actually it's pretty easy. Think in terms of surface area you are
cutting and not diameter. First calculate the number of steps you
need to rotate the axis one full revolution (360 deg). The axis is
calibrated in steps per inch so if you chuck a cylinder that has a
circumference of 1" then every thing would work out. Since the
circumference is 3.1416 (pi) times the diameter and you know the
diameter of the cylinder would have to be .318 and the number of
steps it takes to move the surface one inch (one complete revolution)
you can quickly figure the number of steps you need to use to "fool"
the machine. Obviously it takes less steps to move a larger diameter
(circumference) 1".

I lay all my stuff out on a 1:1 scale then go into my controller
program and change my Y axis (changed to rotary) to make the things
work. You just have to remember to change it back when you convert
back to flat engraving!

The quickee formula is:
.318/[diameter of new cut] = [number of steps for 1 revolution]/
[X]

Where X will be the new number of steps you need to cut 1" on the new
diameter.

All you have to do is divide the calculated number of steps for known
diameter by the new diameter and you have your answer.