I have all sorts of questions…
How do I convince KM to display numbers on the gridlines?
Is there a way to convert an svg that I drew in imperial to metric values? My drawings are importing huge.
KM seems to be absolutely excellent.
Thank you again Stewart, not sure how I missed the " show rulers", I searched all over in there. If I set for imperial manipulate can I export as metric or must I continue with imperial? I will give it all a try tomorrow. Is it OK to post a link to my project?
David
The units setting affects import and display. I haven’t tested export. But you can just switch back to metric after the import.
Sharing of projects is encouraged.
Stewart, are you the creator of all the instructional videos? Kudos. Very helpful.
A link to my in progress table. https://youtu.be/c0e3_Nqhde4
The first file I created from KM. I am sure I missed many things. Tried to post, not allowed, will look into what file formats I can upload.
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Awesome build. You should be able to post now, just not full videos.
Yes, KM is one of my projects going back to 2013 or so. I go through periods of active development when I have the time. Which means I get a little rusty on the code in-between.
Next newby Question…
Let’s assume a roughing out cut with a 1/4 end mill. I wish to then do the finishing cycle with a 1/8 ball end mill. I don’t think KM recognized my attempt at the finishing pass. I ran the slice and animate but did not see any opportunity to change bits. After I do change bits how do I teach the mill where the end of the bit is? I am guessing it will return to where it started but that will not help with the z axis if the protrusion is different.
Should I break a bit mid project is there some way to get going again or is the project scrap?
Likely you have already created a video and I have just not found it yet.
Thanks Stewart. David
It mostly depends on your sender/controller. If it has support for a tool changing command, then add that to KM’s device definition and it will be inserted when tool changes are necessary. If not, you will have to export each operation separately (export as zip) and run them separately with manual tool changes. The way you do this is usually have some defined zero for X,Y (like top of stock at a corner) and when you need to change a tool, after the change, go to that location, touch the new tool to stock at that point and reset Z to 0. Your sender / controller will usually have a way to reset the X,Y, and Z independently or all at once. If not, there are gcode commands for that. Again, depends on your controller / firmware what those might be.
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If there is a video or, written directions! (showing my age) I have 3.9, seems to be considerably changed from the 2.5 instructional videos that I have been watching. I found an excellent instructional on docs.v1e. com but again outdated.
Yesterday I could slice then I changed something…
I don’t know enough to ask relevant questions.
If there is a video please guide me towards it.
Thanks, David
This isn’t a Kiri:Moto issue. It relates to how your controller works.
If you are unable to slice, right-click export your workspace and drop the .kmz file here or email it to me at [ sa at grid dot space ] and I’ll take a look.
workspace.kmz (995.1 KB)
I used Firefox as my browser.
In one of your posts you were asking about other devices to support. I use a vinyl cutter, would the dll file be of any use to you? The cutter is called a KNKMaxx air, no longer sold under that label.
David
Making headway! In preferences export grid local had turned off, now I can slice.
The 3.9 version has a couple things I do not know the reason for.
in Limits. Z bottom
Output First Z max
Force Z max
David
Is it possible to leave material when roughing even though I am not following with a finish pass? Something to leave chisel marks on?
Return to start position. After milling my router seems to end up at some random place.
How do I convince it to return to where ever I designate home?
Totally frustrated, I have changed every parameter I can find. What I would like to do is use a ball endmill to create letters. I cannot get any cutting going on in animate.
blindman.kmz (303.0 KB)
If it is possible I would really appreciate someone telling me what i am doing wrong.
On the success side I did mill and subsequently cast a birthday present in aluminum. 4mm raised letters, 220 x 110 roughly.
David
Hi David,
A few things:
You will want to use “loops” in trace mode to get the full letter outline. In the workspace I attached, I used ctrl + click on the bottom well of the letters. ctrl selects all lines at the same Z as the one you’re hovering.
You had step down set to a negative number. This is unexpected. It should be a positive number. In fact, this is a new bug to me. Negative numbers should not be allowed. I’ll fix that 
You will need a really small end mill to get inside those letters. And you will want to use “offset” “inside” to get dimensionally accurate letters. If you set step down to 0 it’s a special case and will only make one pass along the selected contours.
blindman-trace-loops.kmz (313.1 KB)
Thank you Stewart.
My original intent was to attempt a single line font. Unsuccessful.
Next I thought I could use the upper edges of a normal font, A ball end bit that I know is too big to entirely fit. This would give me a scooped out effect with varying Z depth entirely constrained within the font edges.
Either of these doable?
David
Sure. Here’s a trick. Use the top trace and set the z anchor top offset to the depth of cut (assuming you zero Z to top of stock). If you want finer control, you can set the trace offset to inside and set the offset to a small number.
blindman-trace-z-offset-inset.kmz (382.3 KB)
there is no good way currently of finding the “centers” of random polylines (like fonts) to engrave them. it’s been asked for. I don’t have a good algorithm.
Hi Stewart,
Is there away to show the ruler at the center lines rather than the edges?
dc
unless I misunderstand what you’re asking, that might be hard to read. do you need a way to measure things?