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Subject:	Re: Drag knife Programming
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Message Thread:

Drag knife Programming

12/18/24

Mark

I have an occasion to cut some vinyl lettering on my CNC.

Does anyone have any tips on programming for using a drag knife? I use Alphacam for toolpathing.

I believe that there is a radius offset needed to make accurate curves, since the knife follows the center point by some distance, but I am not sure how this exactly works, it seems that it must be different than standard radius compensation as the point is behind the curve not next to it.
I have also seen that the tool should lift at sharp corners.

Any advice from someone that uses this tool will help shorten my learning curve.

12/18/24 #2: Drag knife Programming ...

Mike

I use Alphacam as well. Alphacam does not support a drag knife. I asked. I also have Aspire and that is included in their "gadgets". Worked well, but I wasn't doing anything complicated. I can't imagine that doing letters would be any different. I am not sure what other software does work with a drag knife. Sorry.

12/18/24 #3: Drag knife Programming ...

BH Davis

Member

Website: http://www.bhdavis.net

I do this occasionally and just use a cheap Ebay drag knife set. The offset is so small that it hasn't been an issue. I have thought while doing it though that if I were doing small lettering........perhaps 1/2" high text........it could get to be an issue.

BH Davis

12/18/24 #4: Drag knife Programming ...

Karl E Brogger

Member

Website: http://www.sogncabinets.com

Just suck it down to a smooth spoilboard?

I've always wanted to try this. I've got aspire. I don't know if woodwop will accept a program if there's no spindle rpm. There's likely a work around in just not aware of it.

12/19/24 #5: Drag knife Programming ...

Mike

Woodwop is weird to me. Not easy to manually edit. With the Fanuc, it was easy to make sure the spindle didn't start. Anyway, It was only demo it for someone else. Worked fine. Haven't used it since I posted it on YouTube.

1/7/25 #6: Drag knife Programming ...

Tom

Did you manage to get a WoodWOP program to run with the spindle speed at 0? I am trying to find a way around this also.

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