[donek]

I have created a new video tutorial that shows how to program your drag knife with the new Vectric Gadget. This demonstration covers programming and cutting both vinyl and coroplast.

Cutting Vinyl and Coroplast with a Donek Drag Knife - YouTube

I'll be generating more tutorials in the upcoming weeks. For more information about the Donek Tools Drag Knife visit the donek tools web site: Drag Knife for CNC routerDonek Tools

[davidmark]

Hey Buddy, Thanks for uploading this video even though i already viewed this in Youtube but i never ignored your uploaded video its because this is very important to know on how to use a Drag Knife.


_______________
Dotnetnuke support

[tjmarch]

The following Link is to a download package that I made up for the programs and method I use to create gcode for the Donek drag knife to cut Redi-Board for making RC model airplanes. If you are hobbyist on a low budget it is worth the look. It is a zip file, in Windows 7 after you download the file right click on the file and choose to extract. All the software that is included is free to use no strings attached. http://ubuntuone.com/41QpyBkkTxyKiMY5ImKYWz

[WASNAPYRO77]

Drag Knife
I have a problem using my CNC with the Aspire Program.
I have been watching all the tutorials and reading all the comments but my drag knife doesn't turn with the lines and get broken. I follow all the steps and the problem still be there.
How can I control the elevation of the drag knife in Z ,for change the lines, because in the Aspire program I couldn't find the Z's set up?
I will appriciated the help, and if somebody knows how fix it, please send me screen shoots, pictures or videos for how you set up the elevation of the drag knife in Z.
Thank you very much!
Maximiliano

[donek]

Drag Knife
I have a problem using my CNC with the Aspire Program.
I have been watching all the tutorials and reading all the comments but my drag knife doesn't turn with the lines and get broken. I follow all the steps and the problem still be there.
How can I control the elevation of the drag knife in Z ,for change the lines, because in the Aspire program I couldn't find the Z's set up?
I will appriciated the help, and if somebody knows how fix it, please send me screen shoots, pictures or videos for how you set up the elevation of the drag knife in Z.
Thank you very much!
Maximiliano

The best practice is as follows:

surface or fly cut your table to ensure it is totally flat and true to your machine (most important step)

zero your cutter to the table surface, not the top of your material.
make test cuts in your material, lower or raise your blade until the knife is just barely cutting through the material
set this position as your z-zero

Vectric Gadget settings:

be sure you set the z zero to the bottom surface of your material and be sure to enter an accurate value for thickness
never rely on the manufacturers stated value, measure the material with a caliper or micrometer.

In the drag knife gadget:
set cut depth to the material thickness (the same you enter previously)
swivel depth should be between 0.001in and 0.010in depending on the flatness of your material and how consistent it's thickness is.
passes should generally be 1 unless you are cutting particularly hard materials
blade offset varies from machine to machine and is dependent on the model you use (see below)
tolerance angle should be left a 20deg
select a tool with a feed rate in the range of 3 to 5in/sec (180 to 300 in/min, or about 6000mm/min)

Additional advice on cut order and start points
select your paths in the order you want them cut.
it is always wise to cut internal components before external components
adjust the start points of your vectors to be in the middle of a line or large curve
the vectric gadget likes to start cuts at corners, but fails to reorient the blade at the end of the part resulting in an incomplete corner
adjust the start points on all vectors such that they begin and end in the same orientation
this reduces the need to reorient the blade at the beginning of a cut and makes your tool paths begin and end on top of each other.
keep in mind that the vectric gadget will cut all closed paths in a counter clockwise direction


Advise on determining blade offset for your tool and machine.
The best starting point for a D1 or D3 tool is 0.065in
The best starting point for a D2 or D4 tool is 0.160in
depending on backlash and other factors in your machine, these values may not be accurate enough
The best way to fine tune this value is to cut test pieces. I recommend a 1.5in square.
observe the tool in action
if the tool turns too much at a corner, then the offset value is too large
if the tool does not turn far enough at a corner, then the offset value is too small
typically adjustments of 0.005in are recommended.
repeat your test cut.