Phlat Printer is essentially a CNC machine. I am building a 3 Axis CNC machine for my other hobby/small business and I was wondering if this script will work for it?

-BK

 

BK, 3DMON is right. You could change the way your machine handles the code, especially if you are using Mach3 or EMC2 to control your machine. Or you could use a text editor to search and replace the Z cuts depths and change them to positive or negative and or different values if needed.

I like editing and cleaning up my code with NCPlot v1.2, it's free and does a nice job of displaying graphically the results of changing code. There was a little discussion of cleaning up PhlatCode with editors in this thread if you are interested: http://www.phlatforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=300

 

Thanks guys.

 

I'm trying to find a standalone program or an attachment to Sketchup (or any other 3D program?) to cut stuff with the 3-Axis CNC that I'm building. I'm hoping to find something that works 3D.... Cut two sides of the fuselage out, glue them together, done.

 

bkboggy,
The PhlatScripT plugin for SketchUp will work for what you want to do and will output code that will need only minor editing or slight modification of your Mach3 control setup. Actually the PhlatPrinter is capable of cutting the 3D fuselage halves also since it is a full 3 axis CNC machine.

 

Thanks for the info fellas. I definitely like this forum and, eventhough, I'm not using the phlatprinter (I wish I did... honestly, it would be so much cheaper, but I already bought the parts for my CNC before I found this) I still like the fact that this community if focused on production of parts by a machine.

A few people told me that it's cheating. To that I say this: I have to build the machine, I have to design the planes and I have to put it all together... I see no cheating in that. Cheating would be me going to the store and buying an RTF.

-BK

 

You are right, swarfer, I don't know why they said that you have to change setting from negative. Negative is the other side of the positive and where the zero point is is up to you. I have my zero point set to 0.5" from the surface of the work. Going away from it is positive, going to it is negative. If the machine is upside down or right side up, that setting doesn't change.

 

I have been using your amazing script for my cnc machine with no worries.
It is a fantastic platform and very easy to use.

It would be nice to be able to change the preset values in the parameters box as i am not using the standard thickness foam. other than that it works fine and i for one am very pleased with my results.

can you give me more information about the "slicer" is it a sketchup plugin or is it part of artcam?

Thanks

 

Hi All

Just my :02cents: worth, I've been using the phlatscript for a while now on my Step-Four CNC using the DeskCNC driver, so the output code definitely works well with 'other' CNCs. I also use it on a Mac - hopefully Kwok will soon have the changes necessary that will allow the guys with Macs to utilise the whole system
The reason I use it is for the 'tabs' feature which isn't available in the DeskCNC software sadly (otherwise, it's a great CNC driver/CAM system!). Perhaps I might build a phlatprinter 'clone' as I'm all CNC'd out at the moment and my 'financial manager' doesn't see another machine as being necessary .

Cheers

Neil

 

hi guys.
thanks for your pointers and top class script.

i have looked for the constants rb file but cannot find it to change it.


i am working on a bridge section at the mo and will post pics as soon as.
the learning curve is a little steep but not impossible.

thanks again