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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