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Discussion in 'General Phlatprinter 3 Chat' started by Darwin, Nov 4, 2010.

  1. Darwin

    Darwin Member

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    By way of introduction, my name is Darwin Garrison. I just placed an order for a MKIII yesterday to get in line.

    Back in 1998 to 2000, I used to make kits out of EPP using a bandsaw, router, and a Tekoa Feathercut system. I'm getting back into kit production now and decided that I wanted to avoid the variability that came from hand-cutting the fuselage and wood parts. Given the low entry cost of the Phlatprinter and the good comments that the system has garnered, I decided to go this way.

    My CAD system is an aging copy of Vellum Solids which I use for illustration purposes mostly. The package includes Vellum 99, a wireframe modeling software that I normally use for design.

    My intention is to export out DXF files (or whatever I can export that will work with the Phlatprinter system). I want to make use of the new depth capabilities of the MKIII to cut out my traditional Push-E Cat fuselages with the internal routing already done as well as producing a line of flat foam models scaled for flying in ball-diamond sized spaces.

    I look forward to getting to know the various personalities on the forums and learning a lot about not only the Phlatprinter but CNC technology in general.

    Regards,

    Darwin
     
  2. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

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    Howdy Darwin, welcome to the PhlatForum and the PhlatClub! I don't know anything about Vellum Solids or Vellum 99, and own an older PP Mk1.5 (a moderately modified Mk1), but I'll be glad to try to help whenever questions pop up about which I know something. :)
     
  3. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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    Hi Darwin;
    Welcome to the Forum.
    I used to use Drawingboard by Vellum, and loved it. I then switched to AutoCAD, and found the transition rather easy. I had to do the transisition as I started doing some CAD work on the side for a buddy and that is what they required. Now the transition to Sketchup from AutoCAD is another story. I still find myself wanting to do things the AutoCAD way, which really confuses SU. I tried drawing in AutoCAD, and then importing TO SU, but sometimes the clean up is rather intensive, so I've resigned myself to just start the drawing in SU, and learn to work with it. Ya know, trying to stream line the work flow.
    As they say, your mileage may vary.

    I can very easily see how the PhlatPrinter would work as a great production machine. I keep threatening to start selling some kits, but the stuff I like to build is usually one-ofs that would be hard to kit.
     
  4. 7up

    7up Moderator Staff Member

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    Hi, Darwin! Welcome to the Phlatforum. Lots of great people here to help with any questions you might have.

    If you went with the USB option, I do believe the software that comes with it will import DXF files directly and apply the proper cut paths (once setup to your specs) making it ready to output to your Phlatprinter for cutting, so your CAD software that you are accustomed to should work fine. If not, Sketchup and the Phlatscript is free and very easy to learn.
     
  5. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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    Just a note... if doing this way, you will need to adjust the files for tool offset, and manually add tabbing. I did this when I used to have stuff sent to get laser cut. But the PhlatScript is SO MUCH easier. I was really looking at the USB option until I found this out. I'm guessing (hoping) this will be an option in the future.

    The PhlatScript is one slick tool that is really painless, and creates great results very easily
     
  6. 3DMON

    3DMON Moderator Staff Member

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    Welcome to the Phlatforum Darwin!
    Your gonna love the Phlatprinter. :)
     
  7. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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  8. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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    Wow that's is really cool. I'll have to re-think the USB thing now
    Well that and a laptop as my existing hardware is too whimpy to run it
     
  9. Darwin

    Darwin Member

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    I went USB. I'm really glad that the new USB had a DXF import with tabs and tool correction.

    I watched the videos on the USB supplier's page as noted by Mark. I'm encouraged enough to serious start considering gathering the bits necessary to build a CNC foam cutter after I get the Phlatprinter running and making money.

    One of the things I'm most excited about is the reduced turn-around time for making prototype parts. The process of making templates, cutting them out, finish sanding them, transferring the geometry to the material, and then cutting out the material is pretty tedious.

    I've used a variety of CAD packages over the years from Unigraphics to Pro-E to various Vellums, but I've only had a glancing experience with AutoCAD, strangely enough.

    In any case, I'm very excited and happy to make all of your acquaintances. Looks like it's going to be a fun time.
     
  10. kyyu

    kyyu Active Member

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    Hi Darwin. Welcome to the forum!
     
  11. AlphaGeek

    AlphaGeek New Member

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    Hmmm -- Some comments in this thread confuse me... Are people saying that with the USB board Phlatscript is no longer needed?

    Peter+
     
  12. Gefahren

    Gefahren Member

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    As I understand it the software with the Planet-CNC board will take a .DXF and make a g-code toolpath from it or you can just have it load a g-code file that the Phlatscript made. So you'd still need some way to make that .DXF or .CNC file in the first place.

    As far as everyone calling it the USB board, I've got a Smoothstepper USB board sitting here waiting for my Phlatprinter3 to arrive so I didn't get the Planet-CNC board. I figured since I already have the Mach3 license and the Smoothstepper I didn't need to spend more money for the redundancy. I know I sound a little ticky about it, but it's late at night here...
     
  13. Flashsolutions

    Flashsolutions Active Member

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    If you have a Smooth Stepper and Mach 3, you are good to go. You can still use the DXF import functions of the Planet-CNC software to create gcode. You don't even need a license for that.

    The Planet-CNC board may not have enough processing power behind it to do the job as well as Mach 3 anyway, so you may be better off in the long run.

     
  14. Darwin

    Darwin Member

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    I know I'm something of a layman as eyt, but it seems to me that there's an additional learning curve for someone starting out with CNC, such as myself, that the Mach 5 route would entail. Usually, that means there's a lot more capability involved, but that learning step can daunting.

    From my perspective, the USB is appealing because it takes a lot of the learning curve out. There's still a lot to take in, but it should be a good set of "training wheels" to get me to the point where I won't be overwhelmed by more capable systems later.
     
  15. rcav8r

    rcav8r Moderator Staff Member

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    Not sure what Trish & Mark are going to include in the build videos, (MACH3 setup and/or Planet-CNC USB setup) but if they are up to their typical standards, you will have NO problem with either one. I built one of the first MK1's , had zero experience with any of this, and using their first build video, I had no problems what so ever with MACH3, or any of the process. (Oh I had other problems, most self induced, but not with MACH3 setup) I can only imagine the new videos will be 1000x better than the old ones... Not taking anything away from the old ones as they were GREAT.
     
  16. Darwin

    Darwin Member

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    Well, I do have to admit that I'm happy not to have to chunk out an additional $150 over the cost of a controller for the software, too. ;)
     
  17. crash5050

    crash5050 Member

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    Self induced heartache, oh how I remember that, I was even chastised by a certain somebody for not fully watching the videos. I stuck out my bottom lip and went back and watched the videos, everythign was there, but I still managed to mess up more than I made. But, what the heck, foam is cheap? Right?

    David
     

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