Project Updates
I had both machines running yesterday. :)
I finished the first cnc print. At some point it got shifted a bit so the last bit is shifted by about a 1/16". But I was messing with stuff while it was printing. Or it could have been a servo error. :(
I started a new print, 6 half spheres. Each one done with one of 2 bits at one of 3 resolutions. It should give me a good idea of what each settings results are. I got the first part done using the larger bit. I will print the second part tonight. I think when I am doing a print that will carve away more than 1/4" inch of thickness it is a good idea to use a larger (1/4") bit for roughing. Carving away that much material with the medium (1/8") bit is very noisy. And a quick rough cut should not take that long. (10 min?)
From what I can tell so far the "resolution" of the print effects it smoothness and the size of the bit affects the fine details. So I should only need smaller bits for really fine stuff - like micro lettering on coins and such.
As long as there are no small holes the larger bit (1/16th) should be fine. I just need to keep that in mind when designing stuff. Avoid narrow groves and holes under a specific width (say between 1/16" ~ 1/32").
I also need to tweak the setting and see just how fast I can cut for each bit + material combination. One advantage of using the larger bit is I can use higher feed rates without fear of breaking the bit. (I guess breaking my smaller bits has the up side of forcing me to learn how to use the larger ones better.)
I enbrodered the "Mom Tattoo" pattern. It had some problems. The machine was stitching OK (1 broken thread, and one jamed bobbin). But the pattern had many layers. (originally 7 colors, but I only used 4) By the end it was so thick the machine could not punch the needle trough, and kept stalling! I would have to manually finish the stitch (rotate the knob) and restart. Slow and scary but I manged to finish 2 full prints. I am going to use them to make some bags for Mother's day
Next - button holes. I think if I use some stabilizer on the fabric it will make using the kenmore button hole attachment easier. I think the fabric is just to "floppy" for the button hole atachment to get a good grip on it.
I still have some bages to make. I asked the guy at the sewing repair how they do badges. They add the border after the final print, using the "Satin Stitch" setting on a sewing machine. He had not heard of anyone doing it in the hoop as we are. I wonder...what would happen if you embroidered just on interfacing? Would it hold together or fall apart? I may give that a try, just to see.
I now have 7 bags waiting to sew. 3 of them need to be done ASAP. Though once I get in the grove it should go quickly. I will try to do a test bag tonight, and maybe get a few done tomorrow.
I finished the first cnc print. At some point it got shifted a bit so the last bit is shifted by about a 1/16". But I was messing with stuff while it was printing. Or it could have been a servo error. :(
I started a new print, 6 half spheres. Each one done with one of 2 bits at one of 3 resolutions. It should give me a good idea of what each settings results are. I got the first part done using the larger bit. I will print the second part tonight. I think when I am doing a print that will carve away more than 1/4" inch of thickness it is a good idea to use a larger (1/4") bit for roughing. Carving away that much material with the medium (1/8") bit is very noisy. And a quick rough cut should not take that long. (10 min?)
From what I can tell so far the "resolution" of the print effects it smoothness and the size of the bit affects the fine details. So I should only need smaller bits for really fine stuff - like micro lettering on coins and such.
As long as there are no small holes the larger bit (1/16th) should be fine. I just need to keep that in mind when designing stuff. Avoid narrow groves and holes under a specific width (say between 1/16" ~ 1/32").
I also need to tweak the setting and see just how fast I can cut for each bit + material combination. One advantage of using the larger bit is I can use higher feed rates without fear of breaking the bit. (I guess breaking my smaller bits has the up side of forcing me to learn how to use the larger ones better.)
I enbrodered the "Mom Tattoo" pattern. It had some problems. The machine was stitching OK (1 broken thread, and one jamed bobbin). But the pattern had many layers. (originally 7 colors, but I only used 4) By the end it was so thick the machine could not punch the needle trough, and kept stalling! I would have to manually finish the stitch (rotate the knob) and restart. Slow and scary but I manged to finish 2 full prints. I am going to use them to make some bags for Mother's day
Next - button holes. I think if I use some stabilizer on the fabric it will make using the kenmore button hole attachment easier. I think the fabric is just to "floppy" for the button hole atachment to get a good grip on it.
I still have some bages to make. I asked the guy at the sewing repair how they do badges. They add the border after the final print, using the "Satin Stitch" setting on a sewing machine. He had not heard of anyone doing it in the hoop as we are. I wonder...what would happen if you embroidered just on interfacing? Would it hold together or fall apart? I may give that a try, just to see.
I now have 7 bags waiting to sew. 3 of them need to be done ASAP. Though once I get in the grove it should go quickly. I will try to do a test bag tonight, and maybe get a few done tomorrow.