Virtual Rose Engine

[Paul Paukstelis]

I spent the weekend adding a new feature to the LatheEngraver software: a virtual Rose Engine.
You create rosettes as SVG files, load them into the plugin, and when you start it up it will rock (haven't written pumping yet) by controlling the rotary and linear axes in a synchronized fashion to follow the rosette.
Once everything is fleshed out this should be able to do nearly everything you can do with a normal RE, but with a limitless supply of rosettes.
Super quick YouTube video:

 

[Jim Grieco]

I spent the weekend adding a new feature to the LatheEngraver software: a virtual Rose Engine.

Paul,

I am not sure I have asked you before, however, how do you think your setup and software (everything it can do) would work on segmented vessels? I do not do anything with solid wood/ logs

 

[Paul Paukstelis]

Paul,

I am not sure I have asked you before, however, how do you think your setup and software (everything it can do) would work on segmented vessels? I do not do anything with solid wood/ logs

I don't see why it would end up being any different. Everything is turned first, then embellished. So as long as you can hold the piece in a chuck you should be able to do all the same things.

 

[RichColvin]

Paul,

You should check out Bill Ooms’ website. He developed just such a thing (and much more) 20-30 years ago.

Kind regards,
Rich

 

[Paul Paukstelis]

Paul,

You should check out Bill Ooms’ website. He developed just such a thing (and much more) 20-30 years ago.

Kind regards,
Rich

I'm very familiar with Bill's site! I spent a lot of time trying to figure out COrnLathe back when I was trying to determine what software I could use to control the machine I made (ultimately I had to write most of it myself, which is of course what Bill did as well).

I think what is a little different about this and Bill's setup is that with mine you interact with it in real-time, as you would a RE. I think the only option with COrnLathe was to design all the cuts first, write out the gcode, and then run it.

 

[Paul Paukstelis]

I've been working on this quite a bit. It can now do simultaneous rocking and pumping, parametric sine wave rosette creation, elliptical chuck emulation. There are so many things to think about adding....

 

[Mike Selser]

I've been working on this quite a bit. It can now do simultaneous rocking and pumping, parametric sine wave rosette creation, elliptical chuck emulation. There are so many things to think about adding....

If I knew how to use everything I already have I’d be jumping right on this!

 

[John K Jordan]

Seems powerful. What is the finish like off the tool?

Curious what the cost might be for such a system, any associated software, and the time investment needed for proficiency. Maybe everyone knows but me...

JKJ

 

[Paul Paukstelis]

Seems powerful. What is the finish like off the tool?

Curious what the cost might be for such a system, any associated software, and the time investment needed for proficiency. Maybe everyone knows but me...

JKJ

I haven't made any cutting frames yet, so currently I am only using a router as a drill frame, so it is fairly limited. I've done some cutting to test combination of pump and rock and I would say it is very acceptable with a 1/4" carbide ballnose endmill.

I sell the LatheEngraver motion system (you can click on the link below to see more; this is a link to photo/video evolution that shows all the other things it can do). Let's just say it is a lot cheaper than a dedicated rose engine.
All the software is free and open-source.
The time investment probably depends a lot on your comfort level with computers and your familiarity with CNC. That being said, the first beta users didn't have any CNC experience and managed just fine.