Uk newbie

[denz]

Hello everyone just thought I’d introduce myself as I feel like a pervert on here last couple weeks. I’m from Birmingham in uk, i make children’s toys but work gone slow so finally got round to figuring out my arcdroid cnc plasma I bought 6 months ago i was happy with the trace function as I have zero skills on a computer but after searching this forum and loading files last couple weeks I quickly realised I need more help than my brain can handle but still willing to learn. Just like to say a big thankyou for people who take the time to help others who are in the same game. I struggle on what should be a simple file and ends up being a real headache but after asking a question on here last week I had a reply what made an impossible task seem easy. Looking forward to frying your brains and pestering you lot with loads of how do you do this and that and hopefully one day help others in return

[acourtjester]

Well your at the right place, Lots of varied experience member and different histories to match. If you give a description of where you would like help , you may get things going. Most of the things with CNC plasma share common methods, there may be some differences with the software for the controller. Downloading files from here is a start as the art work, CAD files is like the first step. Then generating the G-code is the next and loading them into the controller is next. Last is the understanding the perimeter to correctly finish the cutting operations. Not sure as to how complete the Arcdroid is packaged, what software did you get. What plasma unit it came with, or you have. Feel free to ask questions and attach images if needed. Let the fun begin.

[plasmanewbie]

Welcome denz. Plenty of help here. I always suggest to start simple, with simple shapes to learn all the operations without overcomplicating. Once you feel comfortable start doing more complex shapes, designs, etc. Good luck and ask questions if you have any.

[adbuch]

Welcome aboard Denz! I was happy to help you with your Inkscape questions, and glad that you were able to finally cut your parts from that file.
Let us know if you run into any other problems and we will try to help. What kind of toys were you making? Perhaps post some pictures for us to see.

Thanks,
David

[denz]

Thanks for the help I’ve always worked with just a grinder/welder and old chop saw but 2 years ago I bought a welding fixture table and my work started to get a bit better. I bought an arcdroid 6 months ago but the cnc computer side of things had me really come to a dead end but getting there now slowly thanks to this forum. I buy the toy trucks in and make the bespoke bodies (not sure what you call them maybe ‘backs’ or ‘trays’) I work from home in tiny garage which is why I bought the arcdroid as it’s small but hoping to buy a bigger table aswell once I’ve figured Inkscape/fusion out, here’s a few pics of toys

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[denz]

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[denz]

Working arcdroid with Rtech p51d I’ve got a upm machine torch ordered should be here any day soon. At the moment I can only do Inkscape direct to arcdroid but most files are too large so trying to figure that out first. I can do the the lead in and stuff direct on the arcdroid which I thought was ok for silhouette pics but hoping to learn how to do better designs so I can incorporate the plasma into the toys what I make

[adbuch]

Denz - all very cool stuff! Thanks for sharing your work. I do have a question - see attached photo.
Also - are any of these large toy vehicles motorized with battery powered motors?

Thanks,
David

large toys.jpg

[Joe Jones]

I am BEYOND impressed by the products you make! Those are awesome!

Joe

[plasmanewbie]

BLOWN AWAY! Wow, those look awesome! Very nicely done. I am sure once you get the hang of the Arcdroid it will be a huge time saver.

[acourtjester]

those are some toys,
Your statement "arcdroid but most files are too large so trying to figure that out first" by files are to big, do you mean to many lines of code. Or to fit the arcdroid. You may need to learn how to index the shapes to make them smaller and then connect then for a larger cut part.

[adbuch]

those are some toys,
Your statement "arcdroid but most files are too large so trying to figure that out first" by files are to big, do you mean to many lines of code. Or to fit the arcdroid. You may need to learn how to index the shapes to make them smaller and then connect then for a larger cut part.

Tom - I think he means that the files are too large to fit the operational envelope of the Arcdroid. If you take a look a the example I helped him with, he needed to break the file down into individual parts so he could cut them one at a time. It may also be that the Arcdroid does not have the capability to cut multiple parts. I have never used one, so I don't know for sure. Denz will certainly chime in here with the "facts".

David

[denz]

IMG_8880.jpeg

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Thanks. Yes I buy the trucks in and the plastic base for the trailer and build off them. They are battery powered both remote control and self drive. They kept me busy last few years but now work gone very slow which I don’t mind as now I have time to learn new things and feels more like a hobby just trying to make signs and furniture and stuff for friends and family. I took a file of a truck on here and altered it slightly to look more like an old Bedford pickup as we don’t have chevvys over here (not sure why) the file is too big so I’ve tried splitting into 2 files by deleting the inside cuts then saving and the outside and visa versa I’m going to try cutting out as soon as machine torch arrives

[adbuch]

When you say the file is too big, do you mean that the file size is too large to fit into the Arcdroid controller memory?
David

[adbuch]

There was a discussion here about Arcdroid file size (number of lines of code) limits and ways to work around these problems.

https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/t/g-code-file-size/2584

[adbuch]

https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/t/struggl ... pes/3402/3
https://forum.arcdroidcnc.com/t/file-size-limits/3562

[adbuch]

IMG_8880.jpegIMG_8881.jpegThanks. Yes I buy the trucks in and the plastic base for the trailer and build off them. They are battery powered both remote control and self drive. They kept me busy last few years but now work gone very slow which I don’t mind as now I have time to learn new things and feels more like a hobby just trying to make signs and furniture and stuff for friends and family. I took a file of a truck on here and altered it slightly to look more like an old Bedford pickup as we don’t have chevvys over here (not sure why) the file is too big so I’ve tried splitting into 2 files by deleting the inside cuts then saving and the outside and visa versa I’m going to try cutting out as soon as machine torch arrives

[denz]

thankyou David i tried path simplify and the triangle trick from your link and it loses the picture quality to fit in one file so ill try the 2 files way, Once ive figured it out im going to try a 3d dinosaur as next project for my grandson, appreciate your help

[adbuch]

thankyou David i tried path simplify and the triangle trick from your link and it loses the picture quality to fit in one file so ill try the 2 files way, Once ive figured it out im going to try a 3d dinosaur as next project for my grandson, appreciate your help

Do you know what the node limit is for a file to import to your controller? Send me your truck file and I will show you how to use the Inkscape path simplify tool while keeping good picture quality.

David

[adbuch]

I have just sent you a PM. You can reply with your truck svg file and I will have a look.
David

[adbuch]

nodes 2.jpg

nodes 1.jpg

truck.svg

[acourtjester]

Something I see on your screen shot is the torch path starts away from the parts you wanted to cut. This happens when you remove the outside cut path but the G-code still uses the original start from the outside path (I think is the green dot). When cutting smaller inside parts to be used for like layering a sign/plaque, you can break them apart from each other and then move them around into a tighter group for cutting, (saving metal). then create a G-code or the small group to cut. This is called "nesting" the parts and can be done in Inkscape too.

[denz]

Thankyou very much for the help. I’m getting there slowly I cut the truck today and bought a few files off the internet, the slots on the dinosaur ended up way to big although I downloaded the correct file for the 12 gauge I used do you think this will be the kerf setting it’s no problem but was a bit fiddly tacking them together and happy days my grandson got his first dinosaur. Appreciate the help, thankyou

IMG_8888.jpeg

[acourtjester]

Those look very nice you seem to be on your way now
Getting started can be a bumpy ride, at times but once you get the big picture and things work that makes you feel better.
Now it just picking the next project and enjoying how the turn out. Allow your mind to wonder a little, the fun starts. Have a look around here (search function in the upper right) there are many neat things member have done to give you ideas or files to download and use.

[adbuch]

Thankyou very much for the help. I’m getting there slowly I cut the truck today and bought a few files off the internet, the slots on the dinosaur ended up way to big although I downloaded the correct file for the 12 gauge I used do you think this will be the kerf setting it’s no problem but was a bit fiddly tacking them together and happy days my grandson got his first dinosaur. Appreciate the help, thankyou IMG_8888.jpeg

This may be a kerf setting, or it could be that the file you bought had the slots oversize. You can measure the slots in the dxf or svg file to find out. If you don't know how to do that, you could pm me with part of the file that has a slot and I will show you how to do it. Still waiting for your truck file.

David