LDR engraver question

[GoingCustom]

I finally have the plasma cutter most of the way figured out and I've started trying to figure out the engraver. I have the regulators plumbed and set up per the video instructions. I selected the factory set engraver tool option in sheetcam (tool labeled 101). When I convert to g-code and send over to mach3, it follows the design on the screen, but the engraver itself is not firing (not sure of the technical term here), but it's not coming down to touch the steel nor is the engraver actually coming on. I pushed the red test/reset buttons on the backs of the blocks and both work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[gary42095]

are the regulators turned up for air pressure ?
one should be about 85/90psi
the other at 12/20psi for down pressure

that would be the simple fix

in the mach main window bottom left you have output 2-3 if you click the 2 the scribe should fire and go down(make sure you have plate below scribe) that you can use to test

also your going to want to adjust the speed at which the cylinder goes up and down to fastest possible without slamming up
it should be pretty good already considering table was tested


hope that helps

[dhelfter]

Using the on screen button that says fire scribe, click it. (make sure metal is under the scribe) If nothing happens, look at the solenoid valves they should have red lights lit up. Pushing the red button only verifies you have air pressure.
My guess is the solenoids are not getting current, two things:
1. Make sure you have two power cords going to bottom of main control box, from wall outlet. One powers the box, the other powers on aux items (scribe or router)
2. Make sure you have the scribe plugged in to ac port "b" on bottom side of box. The port "a" is for the router

Thanks
Dan
LDR Motion Systems

[GoingCustom]

I knew it was operator error lol. Had the plugs backwards on the control box! Thank you.

[_Ogre]

That was an easy fix
wish they were all that simple

[acourtjester]

Let the noise begin

[GoingCustom]

That was an easy fix
wish they were all that simple

no kidding!

Let the noise begin

haha, no doubt... I didn't have my ear plugs in when I did the test scribe. Lesson learned!

[Oldsarge]

#

[Bigrhamr]

I don't have a scribe (yet) but out of curiosity what kind of travel speed can you use engraving steel? How about aluminum?

[tnbndr]

but out of curiosity what kind of travel speed can you use engraving steel? How about aluminum

You can adjust the scribe in ipm in SheetCam. The more ipm you set the less intense or deep the scribe. I generally use 40-60 ipm for just marking my name on product. But for scribing artwork I set it to 20ipm.
Not sure what everyone else is using. I have not scribed aluminum as of yet but have played with scribing granite!

[GoingCustom]

Awesome, thank you for the file Sarge! I will give it a try!

That looks great tnbndr. Didn't realize the scribe would work on something like that.

[GoingCustom]

All I have to say is wow! I can't believe the detail the LDR table can engrave! Thanks again for the file Sarge and I already started working on more designs to incorporate the engraver. This is me asking without having searched Google yet, but are there sites anyone recommends for engraving files and/or supplies?

[plain ol Bill]

That file + some SteelFX dyes + a good clearcoat and POW!

[acourtjester]

google CrystalGraphics they sell graphics files for about $3. each just search their site for what you want.
http://www.crystalgraphics.com/

[GoingCustom]

That file + some SteelFX dyes + a good clearcoat and POW!

That was actually the original plan, but me running out of propane for the heater = no spraying of dyes or clear coat! Within a couple minutes of posting this on my business fb page, I got an order for a sunflower!

[GoingCustom]

google CrystalGraphics they sell graphics files for about $3. each just search their site for what you want.
http://www.crystalgraphics.com/

Awesome, thank you!