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Posted: 3/18/2015 9:11:43 AM EDT
I have access to a Rofin Sinar laser engraver in a couple days and want to mark a lower or two. 
I need some rollmark programs that i could import to the Visual laser marker software. I’m not sure of the software date, but it can import the following: VLM PLOs DXF(r13) XMLs (PS/AI/PDF) LOGO(R2) I want to do a retro (not sure what kind yet,) and the operator wants something modern as a return for the favor. I’m not skilled at laser markers, but the operator presently marks tooling on it. I’d imagine I would have to debug for X&Y travel and change the intensity level for aluminum. Are there any programs floating around? |
| Laser markers aren't neccessarilly capable of any depth of engraving. Lasers that can actually cut and engrave material are pretty hard to find. When they can, the parts are ideally in the white, because they will require fine stainless wire brushing to remove scale, and bead blasting prior to anodizing. Scale burns black/brown and piles up over the surface. |
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Quoted:
when you say "programs" you mean graphics? like the circle Colt pony logo and such? CNC or something I can create a toolpath on. I'm not sure if a can import a regular graphic (jpg) on it, but with the lack of response here that may be something I'll have to try. |
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You're taking the lack of responses as no one wanting to share their programs/property, when I think it's actually your not being clear on what you want. For example, I've written several programs, ok, quite a few programs for engraving various retro roll marks. They are all written in Bridgeports propriety language. You wouldn't be able to run them on anything other than a Bridgeport. They aren't written in G-code. The machine converts their language into G-code as the machine is running, but I can't load that G-code program to a disk.
Others that have written programs have done it through some kind of CAM software that generates language that their particular milling machine controller recognizes. (at least I think that is how most do it) You are probably going to have to import a raster image into some kind of software (CAD) that you can generate a program that your laser recognizes. YMMV |
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Quoted:
You're taking the lack of responses as no one wanting to share their programs/property, when I think it's actually your not being clear on what you want. For example, I've written several programs, ok, quite a few programs for engraving various retro roll marks. They are all written in Bridgeports propriety language. You wouldn't be able to run them on anything other than a Bridgeport. They aren't written in G-code. The machine converts their language into G-code as the machine is running, but I can't load that G-code program to a disk. Others that have written programs have done it through some kind of CAM software that generates language that their particular milling machine controller recognizes. (at least I think that is how most do it) You are probably going to have to import a raster image into some kind of software (CAD) that you can generate a program that your laser recognizes. YMMV Humph. you may be quite right on this. I didn't think that most are using mills to engrave. 
I may be able to emulate/generate a toolpath in the program off of a high resolution jpg/tiff but i have no idea until i get to mess with the control program. i was just hoping that i can save a few hours and coupons by importing a created code. side note; why the hell did bridgeport go proprietary? i have many hours on old bridgeports, but not NC [controlled]. i figured they they would go some type of open source/G-code/ Faux since they are the grandaddy of mills. |
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Quoted:
Humph. you may be quite right on this. I didn't think that most are using mills to engrave.
I may be able to emulate/generate a toolpath in the program off of a high resolution jpg/tiff but i have no idea until i get to mess with the control program. i was just hoping that i can save a few hours and coupons by importing a created code. side note; why the hell did bridgeport go proprietary? i have many hours on old bridgeports, but not NC [controlled]. i figured they they would go some type of open source/G-code/ Faux since they are the grandaddy of mills. Quoted:
Quoted:
You're taking the lack of responses as no one wanting to share their programs/property, when I think it's actually your not being clear on what you want. For example, I've written several programs, ok, quite a few programs for engraving various retro roll marks. They are all written in Bridgeports propriety language. You wouldn't be able to run them on anything other than a Bridgeport. They aren't written in G-code. The machine converts their language into G-code as the machine is running, but I can't load that G-code program to a disk. Others that have written programs have done it through some kind of CAM software that generates language that their particular milling machine controller recognizes. (at least I think that is how most do it) You are probably going to have to import a raster image into some kind of software (CAD) that you can generate a program that your laser recognizes. YMMV Humph. you may be quite right on this. I didn't think that most are using mills to engrave.
I may be able to emulate/generate a toolpath in the program off of a high resolution jpg/tiff but i have no idea until i get to mess with the control program. i was just hoping that i can save a few hours and coupons by importing a created code. side note; why the hell did bridgeport go proprietary? i have many hours on old bridgeports, but not NC [controlled]. i figured they they would go some type of open source/G-code/ Faux since they are the grandaddy of mills. It's not just Bridgeport, many machine builders use a proprietary "language". It's part of their "conversational" programming, where you put in the coordinates when prompted. Then, the controller generates a G-code program in the background to actually run the machine. I can bring up the G-code screen, as the machine is running, but it will not allow me to download/upload that G-code program to a disk. The machine will accept a G-code program that is written somewhere else.........entered to the mill via floppy. Here is what I do, although it is EXTREMELY time consuming. I import a high res pic into Auto-Cad and then procede to "draw" over that pic, using lines, arcs, points, etc. From there, if you had CAM software, you would download the Auto-Cad drawing file into that software and you can easily generate a tool path/G-code program. I have Surface Cam software, but I've not taught myself how to use it yet, so what I have to do is very slow. I extract ALL the points, radii, etc off of the Auto-Cad drawing and then manually write a program AT the machine monitor......slow, slow, slow., but it gets the job done for me. Which specific lower are you wanting to engrave?..........I'll do what I can to help ya out. I can tell you that MOST images that you'll find on the net are NOT high resolution, and when you try to enlarge them they get all fuzzy and are useless. The images that I've used were sent to me via request. I've asked individuals that have the specific model that I wanted to clone to take high res pics for me. |
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