Hi everyone, im trying to figure out how to cut a radius from a template I made but the it grid seems to be not allowing me to. It follows the lines. Is there a way to get rid of the grid on the UI?
Never mind! I’m not sure what I did but it’s working now. Thank you
Is there a way to smooth out radius in simple trace. It looks like a beaver chewed a hole in this plate?
@Shmavis Are you tracing a physical template or clicking points with the stylus? If picking points, they need to be close together and accurately placed as you do it.
I have a physical template that I am tracing but the stepper motors keep fighting me and causing it to be very blocky and not a smooth radius I’ve tried doing about 100 different points on a 3 Diameter still no luck.
Maybe post some pics of what you are doing and results your getting. Sometimes excessive belt tension can making tracing more difficult.
Are you getting a good circle cut using simple trace circle function?
Yes very good! Circles and straight lines are very good. It’s more about when youTrace the radius with the stylus it turns out very jerky even in the drawing it looks jerky and there’s no way to add more points to smooth it out
So what I need to do is clean those oblong holes . it’s a simple design two different diameter circles with two straight lines at the major diameter of each one of the circles the plate is 1 inch A36 and I’m only running a 65 amp plasma cutter so I’m unable to pierce so I hand torch the plate and the plan was to clean it up with the plasma cutter I’m just having a hard time drawing this particular design with simple trace.
It looks like your template is paper. There lies the problem. 1/8” masonite works well for a template that physically traces well. Needs to be accurately made. Bandsaw or sabersaw. Sand until fair and smooth. Either a male or female template. Sometimes easier tracing within the confines of a hole rather than a perimeter. Male pattern is easier to make though. I prefer tracing with the arm extended somewhat and in front of the base. Firm grip and pressure on the stylus. Stylus should contact about midway the thickness of the template. It is usually the starting of the trace that is hardest. Use that as the lead-in to the template so you get the arm in motion and then just keep going around and beyond the start and lead out. Keep the stylus button clicked the entire time. Use two hands. Sometimes I use double stick tape to affix the pattern to the material and the material clamped to the table. Practice a few traces before actually recording it. You don’t have to creep around the template feeling every servo notch. Just go for it and its pretty smooth feeling.
It pays to put extra time into making a good template. You tend to reuse them or portions of them for other projects so toss them into a box.
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Thank you Bob. This was my fear When a guy gets to the point of Make a template it’s almost easier to just machine the part than it is to machine the template to make the part you have great advice and I definitely appreciate it! The drawing part has definitely been a learning curve I really feel I need to belly up and get used to 360 to understand the capabilities of this machine.
Masonite or 1/8” ply templates are fast and easy to make. Draw your part out on the wood. Use a ruler, compass, French curve. Make the lines so you can see them! Bandsaw, sabersaw, coping saw whatever. Get close to the line. A benchtop belt sander with the sanding disc makes short work of bringing it down to the lines. I’ve always been a template guy. Rarely waste good material and they give good proof of concept. Your mostly interested in the curves. Straight portions are “click” point to point.
I’m really struggling with Fusion360 to make parts and still much prefer the Trace feature of the Droid. Guess I’m more comfortable with Old School techniques.
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I use a French curve to copy the radii .
It is thick enough to allow the stylus to follow more precisely
Doug
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what do you call ‘‘French curve’’? possible to see in photo? THANKS
@Geantvert French curves are templates used in drafting. They come in various sizes and designs. Allow you to draw various curves by using what ever portion of the template fits your needs. I find a lot of my old drafting equipment handy for tracing with the Droid.
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Perfect, I didn’t think of that. but I know. I’m going to pull this out of my attic.
