DIYLILCNC

1. guerd87
   Member

   Hello all.

   First off I would like to say that this project is great. Lovely design and well written manual.

   Im fairly good with single layer DXF files in rhino, but have no clue when it comes to AI :( I need to modify the file to allow the use of metric material here in Aus. I am using 6mm MDF which is slightly smaller then 1/4". Could anyone give me a heads up on how to seperate the layers and change the model of the slot in the file. I can then export them as DXF and prep for the laser cutter.

   Thanks,
   John

   Posted 3 years ago #

2. guerd87
   Member

   After reading through the documentation I noticed it saying that a little bit of a loose fit is fine.

   1/4" works out to around 6.35mm, and the MDF I get locally is usually bang on 6mm, Should I not worry about changing the slots and just roll with it as is? I could use the Clean .DXF files uploaded from another user in the downloads page. Last time I tried to get a quote with the original layered file they looked at me to fix the problem as they were as lost as I was.

   I have had a quick look through the clean DXF files and measured the slots. Most of them are at 6.09mm but there is a few that are at 5.69 which I need to oversize. I think this may have just been a simple error in the converting.

   Final Question: Will 6.09mm slot with 6mm MDF be too sloppy for good use? Or wait for greater minds to help me out with the .AI file in the downloads section?

   Cheers
   John

   Posted 3 years ago #

3. Chris
   Key Master

   John, here's a quick overview of layers in Illustrator, and some info on symbol editing. Those are the two basic techniques you'll need to adapt the .AI file for the thickness of material you plan to use.

   As to whether you need to adjust the files or not: 6.09mm will actually be a tight fit for material that's 6mm stock. The best way to figure out if/how you need to adjust is to cut a test joint and see how the parts fit. Hopefully that's not terribly impractical for you.

   Posted 3 years ago #

4. guerd87
   Member

   Im going to get the laser cutter to do a test piece for me, Just need to get all these files sorted first for them to use them. To keep the cost down I have removed all the text as they want to charge more for that.

   Im still not able to edit the files correctly in AI, Im getting an error when I open the file about my version, Could this be causing the problems?

   http://www.johnhobson.ws/images/error.JPG

   Here is a screenshot of my layers area. I would have thought that there would have been more then 1 layer. It seems that with the version problem everything has merged into 1 layer? I also cant just edit the Symbol, it doesnt show up at all in the symbols area.

   http://www.johnhobson.ws/images/screen.JPG

   My PC isnt that flash and every time I try to open the original layered DXF file in any program it just freezes, Not quite sure why this is. Tried Blender, Rhino, AutoCAD and a few other free programs.

   Sorry for all the Questions, Just really looking forward to getting this DIYLILCNC going as it looks great :D

   Posted 3 years ago #

5. JoshR
   Member

   The .ai file in the download section was made in CS4 I believe. I ran into some similar issues as I also run CS3.

   Have you tried the new Individual DXF Files on the download page? You might have better luck opening those. They're under the community sandbox section.
   http://diylilcnc.org/downloads

   Posted 3 years ago #

6. guerd87
   Member

   Ive had a look at the clean DXF files but im having trouble scaleing them to metric. When i scale them up the small holes turn into small diamond shapes. In Rhino it seems the circles are made up of 4 parts. Because i need to scale them by 25.4 they dont hold the curve.

   I know i can scale the model up in my CAM software, but i need to talk to my laser cutters to see what they can do.

   I might search around and see if i can merge the parts of each circle into a continues line. Will try on a copy of CS4 tonight.

   Posted 3 years ago #

7. guerd87
   Member

   Just an update, Ive got a hold of CS5 and its working great now. All my conflict issues were because I only had CS3. I have work the next few days so went get time to do anything on them but Im on my way!

   Have split them into 7 different metric files and also put all of them on a single 1200 x 2400 sheet as this is what my Laser Cutter has requested to make it easier on them.

   Chris; as for your reply

   "As to whether you need to adjust the files or not: 6.09mm will actually be a tight fit for material that's 6mm stock. The best way to figure out if/how you need to adjust is to cut a test joint and see how the parts fit. Hopefully that's not terribly impractical for you. "

   I wasnt thinking very straight when I wrote my first post and stumbled upon the fact that its only 6.09...For some reason I was thinking it was 6.9mm, which would be way oversize, hence I asked. Ive just measured the stock that I am supplying to the Laser Cutter and it varies from 6.05 - 6.12. This variation could be because of my not-so-good quality Calipers.

   I feel that if you are in Aus and using 6mm MDF, you dont need to worry about changing the slots. Im still getting a test cut done to make sure.

   I will email you the Metric Single files once finished and also the 1200 x 2400 layout if you like. After this gets cut out and put together I may try and convert most of the Bolts, Fastners etc to Metric for you guys. The hardest part (for me in Aus anyway) is getting access to the Pulleys and Belts. All Imperial Hardware, Drill rod, Bearings etc are easily available locally.

   I have no other choice but to get Pulleys, Shaft collars and Belts from Mcmaster-Carr, who do not ship to Aus. There is a company here that have a US branch that only deal in imports. They are based in Oregan and will receive the Mcmaster order for you, and then re-ship it out - for a price. Something to think of if you have another person from outside the US looking for these main parts, You could possibly setup something similar if you guys were up for it.

   Thanks again,
   John

   Posted 3 years ago #

8. Chris
   Key Master

   John, thanks for the update -- glad to see you are making [relatively] quick progress!

   Keep us posted on your work with metric conversion, as that's an improvement we'd like to work into future iterations of the design so as to make building easier outside the US.

   Posted 3 years ago #

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