Inkscape gcodetools tutorial 01

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Abstract

3-pass milling method workflow demonstration.

3-pass milling method description

• Pass 1: rough milling using cylinder tool #1 and image-to-gcode like (or spiral) linear passes
• Pass 2: precise outlining using tool #2
• Pass 3: corners milling using cone tool #3

Inkscape setup

1. Download Inkscape from inkscape.org. Current ver. 0.47 and install it.
   EMC² 8.04 users: install Inkscape from inkscape_0.47.0-1ubuntu3~hardy1~ppa2_i386.deb or copy using dpkg:

   sudo dpkg -i inkscape_0.47.0-1ubuntu3~hardy1~ppa2_i386.deb

2. Place gcode_tools-develope.py and gcode_tools-develope.inx to inkscape/share/extensions folder.

Workflow configuration

• tool 1: cylindrical flat square tip 8mm
• tool 2: cylindrical rounded corner tip 4mm
• tool 3: 45° sharp cone 10x10 mm
• Material: soft wood (pine) 300x300mm
• Speed: 230mm/min (the same for all cutters)
• Target platform: EMC² ver.2.3
• Source file: engraving.svg ≈250x250mm

Preparation

Download tutorial file engraving.svg, open Inkscape and File→Open→engraving.svg

Making orientation points

These points are for correct scale and orientation of resulting G-code.

1. Run Extensions→GCODE tools DEVELOPE→Orientation→Apply.
   
2. Snap left down point to (0,10) and source objects to (10,60) by left down corner.

Pass 1

We choose tool 1 as "8mm cylindrical flat square tip". We should offset contours using "Area" method by (tool N1 radius + 0.5mm) inside. Draw vertical bars and take their intersection.

Creating "Area" offset

1. Select source objects
2. Extensions→GCODE tool DEVELOPE→Preferences→Tool diameter=9 (a little bit over 8mm tool 1 diameter); Switch to: Area→Area radius=4.5 (⁹/₂); Apply
   
   4 source objects are not working at all! I choose delete because it's just a test. N.B. Interesting feature: under them there are coisided countours instead of Tool diameter/2 offset!
   Correction method: export file as PostScript (.ps) and import back. Other useful methods: Ctrl+J and/or Path→reverse
3. Add new layer "N1 outline". Layer→Add layer (Shift+Ctrl+N)
4. Left mouse click on gray offset curve and move to new layer: Layer→Move selection to layer above (Shift+PgUp)
   

Create vertical paths

These paths are for dirty large N1 cutter.

1. Add layer "N1 boxes". Activate it
2. Place box w=7mm (a little bit smaller than 8mm), h=260mm starting from (0,0) point to (7,260) point
3. Remove stroke paint/set stroke style to Width=0.0/drag boxed X to Stroke bar. [tested: does not necessary! Stroke outline is compleately ignored.]
   
4. Edit→Clone→Create tiled clones (Symmetry→P1, Rows, columns: 1x18, Shift: all fields are 0 except: Shift X Per column=100% and both Exponent=1
   
5. Ungroup/break apart/object to path/combine to make one path
6. The same operation over boxes (possibly you should delete original box!)
7. Select both "N1 boxes" and "N1 outlines" layers and press Ctrl+* (Intersect)
   
8. Select resulting outlines, press Object→Ungroup (Shift+Ctrl+G) and run GCODE tools DEVELOPE→Path to Gcode (file: n1.ngc)
9. Save resulting G-code to "n1.ngc" file
   
10. Examine n1.ngc using EMC² or windows freeware NCPlot v1.2:
    

Pass 2

Create tool N2 outline

We should create "Area offset" the way we have done it earlier. The main difference is tool diameter = 4mm and Area radius = 2mm

1. Perform the same operation and move outlines to "N2 outlines" layer
   
2. There is ARTEFACT! We should delete it manually
   
3. Select resulting outlines, press Object→Ungroup (Shift+Ctrl+G) and run GCODE tools DEVELOPE→Path to Gcode (file: n2.ngc)
4. Save resulting G-code to "n2.ngc" file
   
5. Examine n2.ngc using EMC² or windows freeware NCPlot v1.2:
   

Pass 3

Create tool N3 variable-depth corner strokes

We should make variable-depth strokes at every corner where N2 rounds it. We have cone N3 cutter with 45° (5mm width, 10mm heigth half-section).

1. Copy "source" layer and Add nodes using: Extensions→Modify Path→Add nodes→By max. segment length = 20px
   
2. Choose GCODE tools DEVELOPE→Preferences→File:n3.ngc
3. Engraving→170,10,4,check mark,Z(w)=w→Apply
4. Blue-green lines represents actual G-code paths
   
5. Examine n3.ngc using EMC² or windows freeware NCPlot v1.2:
   

Support files

SVG intermediate files: engraving.svg, engraving-01.svg, engraving-02.svg, engraving-03.svg, engraving-04.svg, engraving-05.svg.

Output files: n1.ngc, n2.ngc, n3.ngc

All files including this tutorial inside archive: tut01.rar

Images

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