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Sharpie and Bits Holder - Advanced Tutorial

Discussion in 'Projects on your Phlatprinter 3' started by Flashsolutions, Feb 6, 2011.

  1. Flashsolutions

    Flashsolutions Active Member

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    I purchased a screenset for Mach3 to allow me to do tool changes during my work process. I think the Planet-CNC software also has this function, but I am using Mach3 at the moment and so this post will document its use to produce a bits holder to hold 1/8", 1/4" bits, as well as a few sharpie markers.

    To do tool changes, requires a fixed and movable plate attached to the probe input of your controller.

    It also requires a Z axis home switch. Once you have these added to your Phlatprinter , you are well on your way to being able to change bits during your cutting operations. This will be especially useful when doing 3D renderings in which you use a bigger bit for rough cuts, a smaller bit for finishing, and a ball nose for pencil cleanup.

    The bits holder was simply a project I put together to test the tool changer. Yet it became a nice addition to my shop now that I can organize all my bits and sharpie markers.

    I created two videos, one showing the actual cutting using tool change and a second companion video to show methods I used to create the GCode using a combination of Sketchup, Cambam, and the Mach3 2010 screenset.

    I am not including the GCode since it requires tool changes, but if you have that capability, PM me and I will be happy to send it to you.


    Here is the tool changer cutting out one of the bit plates....



    Here is the companion video describing how to use the Screenset, Cambam, and Sketchup.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  2. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    Fantastic job Flash! :doubleup: This is a great tutorial and showcase! Love the holders too :D
    Thank you for putting this together.
    We may need to create a Phlatprinter tutorial section?
    Enjoyed this project Larry, thank you :dance3:
    Mark and Trish
     
  3. firetrappe

    firetrappe Member

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    Very cool Larry! You really are pushing the limits of the Phlatprinter :eek:

    I've just watched your first video and I think i'm going to have to watch it again to take it all in. That's some clever stuff you've got working there. Looking forward to watching the other vid to see how you set it all up.

    Si.
     
  4. ewo

    ewo Moderator Staff Member

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    Very cool indeed Flash !
    Any chance you be be willing to share your file for this ? :p
     
  5. Flashsolutions

    Flashsolutions Active Member

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    Would be happy to... just so you realize that the files were made in Cambam and use 3 different bits, so you will need to do tool changes if you use them.



    Attached files BitPlate.cnc (235.2 KB)Â BottomPlate.cnc (92.9 KB)Â CambamFiles.zip (35.6 KB)Â MDFbitholder.skp (567.1 KB)Â MainPlate.cnc (122.9 KB)Â
     
  6. ewo

    ewo Moderator Staff Member

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    Thank you sir !

    I will use your sketchup file to make my gcode files !
    I finally have some small pieces of mdf to experiment with ! :good:
     
  7. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    Flash,

    Very cool Sharpie and Bit Holder project. :doubleup: :cool:

    What did you use for covering your pressure rollers?

    I have been thinking about covering my rollers with heat shrink.

    Thanks.
    George :D
     
  8. Flashsolutions

    Flashsolutions Active Member

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    I used clear heat shrink tubing. It attracts the dust, but it seems to work very well.

     
  9. thunder hawk

    thunder hawk Member

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    Thanks Flash. I'll give that a try. :cool:

    Cheers.
    George :D
     
  10. ewo

    ewo Moderator Staff Member

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    Ok I have made the cnc files from your skp file

    I made some small modifications only to suit myself now i have a slight problem.........

    The pocket cuts on the bottom part are really sewing machine'ing
    What am i doing wrong ? i flatened i welded i did everything

    Any help would be greatly appreciated .

    Oh and dont tell me i need to add tabbing........ Im not using tabbing on purpose ! Attached files BitHolder.cnc (894.3 KB)Â MDFbitholder works .skp (5.4 MB)Â
     
  11. Flashsolutions

    Flashsolutions Active Member

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    The sewing machining is due to the pocket cuts you are making.

    If I were to do it without using multiple bits like I showed in the tutorial, I would not pocket cut, but would instead just do an inside cut for the holes.

    There is no need to pocket cut those.

    The middle plate is correct. The bottom plate is setup with pocket cuts. You just need to change the bottom plate to be like the middle plate.

    Edit...
    I would just cut out a fourth plate with no holes and glue it to the bottom plate (remove the tabs). That way you have two supports for your bits and the very bottom plate keeps them from dropping thru.

    Example attached...

    Attached files MDFbitholderModified.skp (5.4 MB)Â
     
  12. ToxicToast

    ToxicToast Down in the weeds. Staff Member

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  13. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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    Try upping the bit size in the Phlatbone plug in. 3DMON suggested .01" and it works like a charm form me.
    I didn't get that error as I'm using Mach3. My issue was the machine would stop at the first dogbone, but the code would continue to run. Not sure if this is really it, but it would be an easy test.
     
  14. ToxicToast

    ToxicToast Down in the weeds. Staff Member

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    OK, got it all working now...

    Made some tweaks to the design, added a few things and what not. Loosened the holes for the sharpies, added back in tabs. Added two slots for the stock chuck key, extra rows. Its not perfectly symmetrical, but good enough. It was also my first MDF test on the P3. Used a 1/16th chip breaker bit and kept it at about 25ipm.



    Thanks to Larry for the design and EWO for for the mods! Thanks Phlatboyz for the extra attachment screws!


    Worked great but had to bump the backlash (USBCNC) up to .012 to get nice circles. Attached files [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] MDFbitholderModified2.skp (5.7 MB)Â [​IMG]
     
  15. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    Turned out GREAT! Thanks for posting Toxic
    Mark and Trish
     

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