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Hi rodw,

SheetCAM looks like it gets the nod. Many thanks.

It does have you start by scanning the plans on a (big) scanner and into an image file (.JPG, etc.). For that, maybe I can buy time on a scanner. I do own the plans and the scan would only be for my use.

On top of buying time on a cutting machine maybe I can get my boat realized (and keeping me busy) without actually having a CNC machine.

To reiterate my very first post: I have a fair amount of *nix/device driver and kernel experience and if a need comes up let me know how I might help.

Thanks,
Tom

TomAlborough wrote:

Maybe so, maybe so.

But part of me wants to use a Pi 5 for *something*.
 

You can only accomplish your object in life by complete disregard of the opinions of other people.
Aleister Crowley

Have a look at Sheetcam for all of  your CAM, nesting and scanning with its scananything addon.

Maybe so, maybe so.

But part of me wants to use a Pi 5 for *something*.

It would take the pleasure out of building and just turn it into a very tedious task.

I'm not sure I could make an image/picture that was not materially distorted but I will look into ways to do it.

I would like to run an option past you:

-- Tape the plans to the bed of the rig.

-- Replace the cutter/lens with a stylus.

-- I just saw a "CAM USB camera" online that gives you a view of the exact place where the (stylus) hovers over the plans. (I can not find it online right now...)

-- Then:

    -- Jog the steppers with a joystick to place the stylus over the "start" of the tracing

    -- Touch a button on the joystick to register the current location on the plans/bed

    -- Jog the steppers again to get to another point on the plans and press the button

Observations:

  -- Straight lines would be easy; curves would require help digitizing gracefully, but I have some thoughts

  -- The file of points would have to processed into a file of "cuts".

  -- Plans involving multiple parts would have to be digitized a part at a time. The parts would then need to be laid out on (a 4 x 8 sheet of stock say).

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Tom
  ​​​​

Much respect for the traditional way but I would like to come up with a 21'st century option. Digitizing from the image sounds good. I'll look into it.

Thanks,
Tom

I’d look for a CAD package that lets you import an image and “trace” it. Bear in mind that the time it takes you to do that it maybe just as quick to cut the various members the traditional way.

Thanks,

Hello cornholio,

I'm actually building both types of boats: model (1/4 scale) and real-sized; the first being a prelude to the second.

The RC boat starts with a "short kit" bought off of eBay - just the frame members (laser cut). I just have to put a skin on it.

I would dearly love a laser CNC machine to cut out the frame members for the real boat but many boat plans are not digitized (like mine) so the first thing I need to do is to turn a CNC machine into a giant "digitizer". Does experience doing that exist? It does seem doable and if I create the files I might be able to find someone to laser them for me for a price.

Thanks,
Tom