Scribe in place of machine torch

[allan101]

Hi Folks,
Question, If I put my CP engraving pen in a mount in place of the plasma torch, and then put a post processor with scribing option would I be able to make it follow a scribe dxf ? Would it work? I would of course have air to the pen for it to run.

[motoguy]

Yes, that should work. What table/controller are you using? I have a scribe on my table, in conjunction with the torch. I'm using Mach3, so instead of the Plasma post processor (CandCNC 11J), I just use the generic "Mach 3" post processor for my scribe work. Now that I think about it, my 11J post should have scribe capabilities...I just never tried it.

Is your Z a floating Z? If not, you may have issues with the metal warp. Do you have a magnetic holder, so that it'll knock the mount loose, vs damaging your scribe, should there be problems?

[allan101]

I have a fastcut table and a fastcut controller . Yes I have a magnet holder. No floating head ,use omhmic, Guess I will try it with nothing in the torch holder, and see if it follows the drawing

[tcaudle]

The 11J has a "plate Marker " option . It allows you to mount a plate marker/scribe on the Z (off the floating head ) and to call either tool in a job without having to swap anything in or out. If you define a Plate Marker tool it will automatically switch to using M7 and M9 (aux outputs) and apply any offsets in XY and Z if needed. The POST also uses the touch off for the torch to establish the height so it first does a torch touch off then applies offsets and starts the plate marker. You process it as a contour just like a plasma cut (but with no tool offset) and put it on another layer with the appropriate feedrate . It also allows you to use your plate marker as a "Center Punch" and it finds and marks the centers of holes.

[ggeh]

What is an 11J? I put together a air scribe for my table. I m having trouble getting the Z height right got the x and y offsets done but have some trouble getting z offset perfect. X and y seems good but z is either to low or high. Maybe I'm not doing it right to get the correct measurement. I drop the torch down and make contact with the plate and zero z in mach. Raise the torch engage the air slide scribe and then lower the z travel till the scribe contacts the plate. Take that measurement change it to mm and enter that number in the post processor. Am I doing that correctly?

I have a 4x4 bulltear table, using sheetcam, and mach3 . the control box is a candcnc espII-A. I have a floating head with a magnetic mount for the torch and a the scribe is on a air slide that is on a rigid mount on the Z plate. I'm not sure if I built it right cant seem to find a lot of pictures or descriptions on this.

Thanks gary