Scale Cat Twenty Two Dozer Ride On For My Son

[mjncad]

I should have such tools available to me. :thumbsup:

 

[dozerbuilder01]

Dozerbuiler01;

What! Your not gonna make the pulleys??

Gotta say its looking real good!

Haha. Not this time. For $8, I just had to buy it.

I should have such tools available to me. :thumbsup:

That is true. Maybe you'll get the first set of plans.

Been working on stuff but nothing exciting. Got a few things from Surplus Center the other day. Pulleys, belts, some fittings etc. Still waiting on the corrected sprockets. My plasma guy has a been a little busy. I want to know one side of the track frame all fits before I build the other.

So I felt like taking a little break.

My plasma guys have trouble opening my .dxf files. I don't know why because they look fine in my CAD software. So I decided to try and learn a little more about CNC. And the wife wants a few things for the house so I figured if I have a CNC router, I can make what she wants.

So I built one.

It's a desktop kit but I upscaled it a bit and made a few mods.

So far, I've only done tests with a Sharpie. So far, it works well. And I built it in the basement because I don't have anymore room in the garage. Just need to clean up the wiring, mount the router and move it out to the garage. .

I also have a few plans to use this on some dozer parts.

Now that I see what was wrong with my DXF files (have to export as a 2D dimension instead of straight DXF), I'm hoping my plasma guy can get me in instead of having to fix all of my lines.

Should get back to the dozer soon.

 

[npalen]

Interesting stuff! I grew up on a CAT D2 pulling a 3 bottom plow later graduated to a 1936 CAT RD6 three cylinder. We ran the right track of the D2 down in the furrow which made it very easy to learn. The probably is that it wore the track rail more on one side and then wouldn't track straight down the road without constantly pulling on the steering clutch lever. The D2 was narrow gauge also which meant that it leaned quite a bit while running the right track down in a 6"-8" deep furrow.

 

[turnkey4099]

Interesting stuff! I grew up on a CAT D2 pulling a 3 bottom plow later graduated to a 1936 CAT RD6 three cylinder. We ran the right track of the D2 down in the furrow which made it very easy to learn. The probably is that it wore the track rail more on one side and then wouldn't track straight down the road without constantly pulling on the steering clutch lever. The D2 was narrow gauge also which meant that it leaned quite a bit while running the right track down in a 6"-8" deep furrow.

I started on a Cat T10 (I think it was the 10) very old, by the time Dad bought the 22 as a replacement it wouldn't run 30 ft without having to correct it. At the time I figured it was a steering clutch problem. Someone bought the 10 to put a bucket loader on it.

Harry K

 

[mjncad]

My plasma guys have trouble opening my .dxf files. I don't know why because they look fine in my CAD software. So I decided to try and learn a little more about CNC. And the wife wants a few things for the house so I figured if I have a CNC router, I can make what she wants.

Now that I see what was wrong with my DXF files (have to export as a 2D dimension instead of straight DXF), I'm hoping my plasma guy can get me in instead of having to fix all of my lines.

Do you have a link on the CNC router kit, or did you build it from scratch from plans you found online?

As for the DXF files; I'm pretty certain most if not all 2D plasma/laser/water cutting services need 2D DXF files. I know I made sure my vise pedestal parts I had waterjet cut were made from 2D DXF files. When I exported the vise pedestal parts from Inventor, they came through as 3D DXF files, which meant I had a lot of extraneous line-work to remove. Fortunately that was easy to do. Although it sounds like you got the problem solved, another factor could be which DXF version you submitted to the plasma guy.

The only other real advice I can offer the forum regarding DXF files for plasma/laser/water cutting is to make sure as much as possible is a closed loop polyline instead of separate lines and arcs. This will make the CNC machine follow fewer paths with fewer starts and stops. We used to use a similar trick in the old days of pen plotters if we had a picky client and cranky pens that tended to blob a bit when starting and stopping lines.

Vise pedestal for those that may be interested in what I'm talking about. https://picasaweb.google.com/110106108324823291002/VisePedestal02#

 

[dozerbuilder01]

Do you have a link on the CNC router kit, or did you build it from scratch from plans you found online?

As for the DXF files; I'm pretty certain most if not all 2D plasma/laser/water cutting services need 2D DXF files. I know I made sure my vise pedestal parts I had waterjet cut were made from 2D DXF files. When I exported the vise pedestal parts from Inventor, they came through as 3D DXF files, which meant I had a lot of extraneous line-work to remove. Fortunately that was easy to do. Although it sounds like you got the problem solved, another factor could be which DXF version you submitted to the plasma guy.

The only other real advice I can offer the forum regarding DXF files for plasma/laser/water cutting is to make sure as much as possible is a closed loop polyline instead of separate lines and arcs. This will make the CNC machine follow fewer paths with fewer starts and stops. We used to use a similar trick in the old days of pen plotters if we had a picky client and cranky pens that tended to blob a bit when starting and stopping lines.

Vise pedestal for those that may be interested in what I'm talking about. https://picasaweb.google.com/110106108324823291002/VisePedestal02#

It is a kit. It's called the Shapeoko. It's small so I upscaled it a bit. There is a ton of information out there for this specific kit. Really nicely put together.

It's crazy with those DXF files. I figured it would be simple. I exported it as a 2D dimensional with dxf selected (instead of just exporting as dxf). Also saved it as R14 or something (can't remember now). Not sure if that helped. Now it at least opens properly in the CAM program I have. Took very little clean up (couple stray points) and then I joined all lines and arcs to make all closed loop polylines. But when I opened the file on my friends Plasmacam table with their software, it didn't like it. Came in with a bunch of random circles. So I went back into my CAM program and exploded all polylines and it opened perfectly fine. Once I get the pattern for the sprocket that we just cut out and make sure everything fits up, I'll send the files off to my other, local guy with the better table to cut the final sprockets. I'll see how his software likes my files. Thanks for the tips though. I'm slowly getting it figured out.

That vise pedestal looks great. You have a nice vise to go with it too.

 

[mjncad]

Thanks, that vise was a present to myself after my Mom died in 2010.

Version R14 DXF files are pretty bullet proof as AutoCAD R14 was one of the best versions they ever released. From what you describe, you did the right things with your DXF files. From what little I've heard about PlasmaCAM's hardware and software, it's not the best. Exploding the polylines into their constituent lines and arcs is an indication of poorly written software by PlasmaCAM.

 

[mjncad]

GRRRR...sorry for the double post...TBN is being cranky tonight.

Thanks, that vise was a present to myself after my Mom died in 2010.

Version R14 DXF files are pretty bullet proof as AutoCAD R14 was one of the best versions they ever released. From what you describe, you did the right things with your DXF files. From what little I've heard about PlasmaCAM's hardware and software, it's not the best. Exploding the polylines into their constituent lines and arcs is an indication of poorly written software by PlasmaCAM.

 

[plumbstraight]

I can hear it now, sorry son, I need that dozer to go after an elk that I have down. Wonderful job on it. Imagine having a father with talent like that to pass on.

 

[dozerbuilder01]

Thanks, that vise was a present to myself after my Mom died in 2010.

Version R14 DXF files are pretty bullet proof as AutoCAD R14 was one of the best versions they ever released. From what you describe, you did the right things with your DXF files. From what little I've heard about PlasmaCAM's hardware and software, it's not the best. Exploding the polylines into their constituent lines and arcs is an indication of poorly written software by PlasmaCAM.

Yeah that did seem weird. I'm going to send both files to my other guy to see how they open on his equipment. I'm not what software he runs. I've been meaning to get down to his shop and check things out.

I can hear it now, sorry son, I need that dozer to go after an elk that I have down. Wonderful job on it. Imagine having a father with talent like that to pass on.

No way. I'll have him do it. I could have used it today with the snow we got last night.

Got my sample piece of the new sprocket design. This time, it's right. Should have do that the last time. Then I wouldn't have two sprocket shaped paperweights.

Now that I know everything fits, I can start working on the other side while I wait for the new sprockets. This was kind of putting me in a rut. So now things should start moving again.

 

[dozerbuilder01]

I've acquired an old t slot table. It's about 14" x 14". I found it under a pile of parts in a surplus store by my inlaws. I got it for real cheap. I don't have t slot nuts that small so I drilled and tapped 20 3/8-16 holes to use my clamping set. I may eventually open up the slots if I can get a cutter. It's also two tiered so I can use clamps near the edge too.

Reason I did this is because my welding table isn't flat. It's one of the first things I ever made and I didn't have the tools at the time to get the bow out all the way. And now it annoys me. So I've always wanted something flat that I could clamp to so I don't warp parts and to hold things still. Overkill? Probably. But I like it that way.

So the next several posts will be a little repetitive because I'm just building the other side of the track frame. But starting off, it was a lot easier to weld the motor mount block to the tube.

I also ran an end mill down two sides so I can lay out parts with my squares.

 

[mjncad]

Good score on getting the T-slot table.

 

[tlbuser]

My plasma guys have trouble opening my .dxf files. I don't know why because they look fine in my CAD software.
Now that I see what was wrong with my DXF files (have to export as a 2D dimension instead of straight DXF), I'm hoping my plasma guy can get me in instead of having to fix all of my lines.

This might help you get things straightened out. If I remember correctly, Plasmacam was written with Bo-cad in mind. Here's the owners manual pages for import/export stuff.

BTW, I think the kid will like it.

 

[mjncad]

I've been using CAD since 1979 and this is the first I've ever heard of Bocad. So I Googled them and found http://www.bocad.com/en/home.html and they are based out of Germany. I have European made software (Tune-Up Utilities and High Logic Font Creator) that work real well; but geez...it seems Plasmacam has really boxed themselves into a corner using what is probably a minor player CAD software, and relying on ancient computer technology (e.g. serial and parallel ports) for their products. Looking at the manual TLBUSER graciously posted and seeing references to LaserJet 5 printers and floppy disks makes me shake my head. As much as I'd like to support a Colorado based company; I won't be looking at Plasmacam should I ever be fortunate enough to even consider acquiring such a system.

 

[tlbuser]

well, before you get too critical based on my memory, it may have been bobcad too If you have any real desire to do metal work, an automated cutting table is the best way to go. Nice thing about these, is you can put almost any cutting head on. I've used a router on mine and done some wooden signs too.

 

[mjncad]

Well BobCAD is a new one to me too; but after looking at their website, this seems more plausible as to what PlasmaCAM is using.

BobCAD-CAM is The World Leader in Powerful CAD/CAM Software

Bobcad - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From the Wikipedia article.

To further assist future endeavors my father's die making company purchased a CAD-CAM system for approximately $300,000. In those days very few people knew anything about CAD-CAM systems, and my assistance was eagerly provided. That first system consisted of a rather large computer, three black and white monitors, terminals, and a 300 megabyte hard drive (similar in size to a commercial washing machine). A specially designed climate and temperature controlled room had to be built to accommodate the computer, hard disk, and the programmer who was hired incidentally at a base salary of approximately $60,000, whose sole purpose was to make everything function.[citation needed].

This sounds very similar to the Auto-Trol system I first learned CAD on in 1979. All three systems (Sperry-Univac), dumb terminals, and climate controlled computer room came in around $2-million at the time as I recall. The company charged its clients $75/hour for operator and machine.

I still think I'd look at Lincoln's Torchmate, and others before considering PlasmaCAM.

 

[philbuilt]

I have a plasma-cam and think it's great. I built all my files in Corel Draw 13 and export DXF. Works great!

 

[mjncad]

What are you building with your PlasmaCAM?

 

[philbuilt]

I own a sign shop so we use it for base plates, gussets, reduction rings, a current project is a goose neck trailer.
Being A large sign manufacturer we also have several cutting systems. My multicast CNC table has a 7'x12 vac table and an 11 tool auto changer. Again we make all products files in Corel and export as needed. Multi-cam uses EPS files.

 

[mjncad]

Interesting that you use CorelDraw for your business as it's primarily meant as an illustration tool and a competitor to Adobe's "Illustrator." I had CorelDraw X3 suite and found it a PITA. I do like Corel's Paint Shop Pro and have been using it since version 4 when JASC was the software house that wrote the software.