http://diylilcnc.org/forum/tags/metric Free, open-source plans for a low-cost 3-axis CNC mill by Taylor Hokanson and Chris Reilly. Sponsored by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. en-US Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:53:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://diylilcnc.org/forum/search.php http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/international-version-of-diylilcnc#post-774 Tue, 17 May 2011 00:27:41 +0000 Taylor 774@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>@Aaron,</p> <p>Man, that sounds like a great idea. If the forum isn't returning the results you want, try searching the internet for Hong Kong hackerspaces (<a href="http://hkhackerspace.pbworks.com/w/page/28645825/HackJam">here's an example</a>). Once you get the ball rolling, put some updates back on the forum. I'll bet you'll get a better response once you've got a group of enthusiasts backing you up. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/international-version-of-diylilcnc#post-770 Tue, 03 May 2011 14:18:15 +0000 Aaron 770@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I'm living in Hong Kong, and hope to build my own version of DIYLILCNC. To get the parts shipped here is one big problem as they are from mutiple sellers. However, Hong Kong is so close to Shenzhen that I can collect <strong>all the parts in half a day</strong>, so I've no reason not following this way.</p> <p>The big problem is, DIYLILCNC uses boards and parts in US standard, while the parts I can buy is internation standards. Conveting from inch to mm is easy, but I cannot find the parts in US standard here. So I'm eager to see the <em>INTERNATIONAL version</em> of this fancy machine.</p> <p>From the manual I saw the author would "At some point, we’d like to spec metric hardware and adjust the laser files accordingly." But I think as an open community, users from with out of US can work together to make the revisions.</p> <p>So would any one give some advices on this task? </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/diylilcnc-ai-file-modifying-question#post-498 Tue, 18 May 2010 15:00:44 +0000 Chris 498@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>John, thanks for the update -- glad to see you are making [relatively] quick progress!</p> <p>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. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/diylilcnc-ai-file-modifying-question#post-496 Tue, 18 May 2010 11:33:00 +0000 guerd87 496@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>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!</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Chris; as for your reply</p> <p>"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. "</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Thanks again,<br /> John </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/diylilcnc-ai-file-modifying-question#post-495 Tue, 18 May 2010 07:10:25 +0000 guerd87 495@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/diylilcnc-ai-file-modifying-question#post-493 Tue, 18 May 2010 06:12:21 +0000 JoshR 493@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>The .ai file in the download section was made in CS4 I believe. I ran into some similar issues as I also run CS3.</p> <p>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.<br /> <a href="http://diylilcnc.org/downloads" rel="nofollow">http://diylilcnc.org/downloads</a> </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/diylilcnc-ai-file-modifying-question#post-492 Tue, 18 May 2010 02:09:00 +0000 guerd87 492@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>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.</p> <p>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?</p> <p><a href="http://www.johnhobson.ws/images/error.JPG" rel="nofollow">http://www.johnhobson.ws/images/error.JPG</a></p> <p>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.</p> <p><a href="http://www.johnhobson.ws/images/screen.JPG" rel="nofollow">http://www.johnhobson.ws/images/screen.JPG</a></p> <p>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.</p> <p>Sorry for all the Questions, Just really looking forward to getting this DIYLILCNC going as it looks great :D </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/diylilcnc-ai-file-modifying-question#post-491 Mon, 17 May 2010 16:35:24 +0000 Chris 491@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>John, here's <a href="http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Illustrator/14.0/WS714a382cdf7d304e7e07d0100196cbc5f-62d6a.html">a quick overview of layers in Illustrator</a>, and <a href="http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Illustrator/14.0/WS1E233737-ACFF-415d-9657-9FDE010F65FFa.html">some info on symbol editing</a>. Those are the two basic techniques you'll need to adapt the .AI file for the thickness of material you plan to use. </p> <p>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. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/diylilcnc-ai-file-modifying-question#post-490 Mon, 17 May 2010 14:34:29 +0000 guerd87 490@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>After reading through the documentation I noticed it saying that a little bit of a loose fit is fine.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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?</p> <p>Cheers<br /> John </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/diylilcnc-ai-file-modifying-question#post-489 Mon, 17 May 2010 12:11:02 +0000 guerd87 489@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Hello all.</p> <p>First off I would like to say that this project is great. Lovely design and well written manual.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Thanks,<br /> John </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/metric#post-468 Sat, 01 May 2010 01:13:23 +0000 tkluysk 468@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>And bytheway, Sebastian, my interest was peaked by the aluminium word! I am planning to modify the build to span 1250mm, and for use with a somewhat heavier router, if at all possible. Cutting certain parts from aluminium could make that possible.</p> <p>Obviously, I would also be in for a metric conversion. As I only recently moved to NZ, I am on the lookout for a proper McMaster replacement. Any advice welcome. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/metric#post-467 Sat, 01 May 2010 01:06:11 +0000 tkluysk 467@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I reside in New Zealand myself (Wellington area), and I contacted McMaster about international shipping. This was their answer:</p> <p>--<br /> Due to the ever-increasing complexity of U.S. Export regulations, McMaster-Carr has decided to only accept orders from a few, long-established customers of ours overseas. We are not able to provide a quote nor can we accept your orders. We regret any inconvenience this causes you. We do not have distributors outside of the United States.<br /> -- </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/metric#post-427 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:56:44 +0000 MrPaul 427@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>I believe that McMaster also ships internationally if you have a hard time finding sourcing parts locally. Granted you would still have to order imperial parts but... if all else fails. If you needed help getting the bearing and or steppers shipped I would be happy to act as a middle man if needed. In any case good luck! </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/metric#post-426 Sun, 04 Apr 2010 01:44:14 +0000 sebastian 426@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>Hi,</p> <p>im an architecture graduate in Auckland and also looking to build one.</p> <p>i have access to a laser cutting workshop which can also laser sheet metal. im keen to build one from aluminium possibly.</p> <p>i can also use autocad and would be interested in developing a metric conversion of the mill.</p> <p>can you give me a txt or call on 0210704784 and we can pool our resources. </p> http://diylilcnc.org/forum/topic/metric#post-414 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:50:14 +0000 jaunders 414@http://diylilcnc.org/forum/ <p>We are beginning a build in new zealand (auckland) however have little to no access to imperial parts has any one out there completed the build in metric ? </p>