# Halftone Image Experiments **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects\ **Tags:** newproject\ **Created:** [November 28, 2018, 6:27am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883 "2018-11-28T06:27:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![theHipNerd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/thehipnerd/32/8897_2.png) [@theHipNerd](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/theHipNerd)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 6:27am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/1 "2018-11-28T06:27:06Z")
Here are my first couple of attempts making halftone images with my Maslow. I think I just need to use something with light to no grain. These take a long time to cut, made longer and more complicated by cutting through tape. I found that I have to clean the bit (acetone worked best for me) every 30-40 min. ![IMG_0134](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/b/b6cabead8e309998a417bd569a4ed3e421b57034.jpeg) ![IMG_0137](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/7/7f11d0fcbc0c2d40e68ecd6c77103f847ffe8d41.jpeg) ![IMG_0141](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/5/5fa2418e368bc09d377d83521ffb851038428b03.jpeg) ![IMG_0142](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/8/8b3bfb131a27de252e57e66eae293b6fe0c607b0.jpeg) ![IMG_0170](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/4/46781717fd41f8a6da4fb4f617249d87d40209ff.jpeg) ![IMG_0189](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/d/de18fcf12c4cf4ee770e700b874207ecb51b655b.jpeg) ![IMG_0196](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/7/79b5af777e4620b14373530ab285ef335f4e8f91.jpeg) ![IMG_0199](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/e/e11b05e2467b0496f3f2f3442ad0e5135e0576a7.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Bee](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/bee/32/2160_2.png) [@Bee](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Bee)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 10:24am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/2 "2018-11-28T10:24:12Z")
That is awesome. What software are you using? good work. Thank you ---
**Author:** ![theHipNerd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/thehipnerd/32/8897_2.png) [@theHipNerd](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/theHipNerd)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/3 "2018-11-28T14:49:49Z")
I wrote some custom software to generate the g-code. ---
**Author:** ![c0depr1sm](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/c0depr1sm/32/9614_2.png) [@c0depr1sm](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/c0depr1sm)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2018, 11:03pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/4 "2018-11-28T23:03:15Z")
That is a great way to practice coding and art! 🙂 You might know about other half toning tools, but maybe you’re interested into the [stipplegen](https://wiki.evilmadscientist.com/StippleGen). It handles dot spacings and sizing somewhat differently. But does not generate Gcode directly… It can also generate TSP art, which is nice because you can trace density with few z axis moves. A completely different result of course. But could be fun to play with! ---
**Author:** ![theHipNerd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/thehipnerd/32/8897_2.png) [@theHipNerd](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/theHipNerd)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 3:29am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/5 "2018-11-29T03:29:24Z")
Thanks for pointing me to StippleGen, c0depr1sm! It looks like it does generate SVG files, so that’s just a hop-skip-and-a-jump to g-code. ---
**Author:** ![Metalmaslow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@Metalmaslow](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Metalmaslow)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 11:24am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/6 "2018-11-29T11:24:55Z")
Staying wood dark black and having wood colored dots might look good too. Are you using a stepper bit to get the different diameter dots? A faster z axis motor would really speed this up ---
**Author:** ![theHipNerd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/thehipnerd/32/8897_2.png) [@theHipNerd](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/theHipNerd)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/7 "2018-11-29T20:00:52Z")
First staining the wood black, or using that method (which I can’t remember the name of now, a Japanese word I think) where you burn the wood is a decent idea, and it’s on the list for future experiments. I’m using a v-groove bit, like one of these: ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/e/eb3e4da93812ef93e3891ef9bac9641e8eadb2a1.png) The tip has a 90º angle, so a little math tells you how deep to cut for a given hole radius. I don’t want to spend too much more time upgrading and/or troubleshooting my Maslow. Is there a quick and easy replacement for the z-axis motor? ---
**Author:** ![Gero](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/gero/32/17487_2.png) [@Gero](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Gero)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/8 "2018-11-29T20:23:18Z")
> [@theHipNerd](#): > > don’t want to spend too much more time upgrading > [@theHipNerd](#): > > quick and easy replacement for the z-axis motor Your Half-tone Experiments are amazing. For more precise Z (if that’s not sufficient) a c-beam with back-lash reducer is the way to go from my perspective. Either with router or spindle. The Z-motor has as far as I know an encoder beyond the precision we need. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/maslowcnc/original/2X/a/a4c554fbe9878525b674999d69c34f2983b720d4.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Metalmaslow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@Metalmaslow](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/Metalmaslow)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 10:15pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/9 "2018-11-29T22:15:07Z")
> [@Z-Axis Motor Specs](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/z-axis-motor-specs/340/4): > > Hi, can anyone tell me / teach me what or how to determine the z-axis encoder steps per revolution for this motor w encoder? This motor from amazon works for some ---
**Author:** ![theHipNerd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/thehipnerd/32/8897_2.png) [@theHipNerd](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/theHipNerd)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 10:15pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/10 "2018-11-29T22:15:28Z")
> Your Half-tone Experiments are amazing. Thank you very much! > For more precise Z (if that’s not sufficient) a c-beam with back-lash reducer is the way to go from my perspective. > Either with router or spindle. > The Z-motor has as far as I know an encoder beyond the precision we need. I feel like I’ve achieved the accuracy and repeatability that I need, at least for now. I spent a considerable amount of time troubleshooting z-axis issues (some my own fault), and I really just want to make stuff now. ---
**Author:** ![theHipNerd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/thehipnerd/32/8897_2.png) [@theHipNerd](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/theHipNerd)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/11 "2018-11-29T22:23:06Z")
I looked it up. The Japanese wood burning technique is called: shou sugi ban ---
**Author:** ![clintloggins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/clintloggins/32/56_2.png) [@clintloggins](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/clintloggins)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2018, 10:31pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/12 "2018-11-29T22:31:53Z")
> [@V-carve feed and speed](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/v-carve-feed-and-speed/1568/9): > > Here’s the finished product. Tried Shou Sugi Ban but burned off multiple layers of ply. Finally got down then sanded the highlights. Finished off with several coats of soft wax. ---
**Author:** ![theHipNerd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/thehipnerd/32/8897_2.png) [@theHipNerd](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/theHipNerd)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 2:22am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/13 "2018-11-30T02:22:45Z")
That’s some nice work there. Makes me what to try Shou Sugi Ban even more. ---
**Author:** ![clintloggins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/clintloggins/32/56_2.png) [@clintloggins](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/clintloggins)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/14 "2018-11-30T03:02:26Z")
Thanks! Love the work you’ve done! A word of advice on ply…burn lightly with broad sweeps so the glue layer doesnt overheat and release. At that point the top layer will start curling. Also, though it doesnt have a 5 star rating, this really helped me in the tight spots when sanding Dremel EZ472SA 120-Grit Detail Medium Abrasive Brush [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002E9GUDQ/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_api\_xykaCbTHADP3E](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002E9GUDQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xykaCbTHADP3E) ---
**Author:** ![theHipNerd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/thehipnerd/32/8897_2.png) [@theHipNerd](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/theHipNerd)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/15 "2018-11-30T03:23:48Z")
Thank you! I like your stuff as well. Especially the street number sign. And thanks for the tip on the abrasive brush. I could have used it on my pentaflake tabletop project. ---
**Author:** ![clintloggins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/forums.maslowcnc.com/clintloggins/32/56_2.png) [@clintloggins](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/clintloggins)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2018, 3:36am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/halftone-image-experiments/7883/16 "2018-11-30T03:36:21Z")
> [@theHipNerd](#): > > I don’t want to spend too much more time upgrading and/or troubleshooting my Maslow. Is there a quick and easy replacement for the z-axis motor? Im with you on the upgrading side… I just want to create!!! Will say though, the zaxis motor @Metalmaslow linked above is the only one my Maslow has ever had. Sourced everything except the pcb on my own 😫 > [@First Maslow Project: Pentaflake Tabletop](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/first-maslow-project-pentaflake-tabletop/7574): > > [IMG\_0042] [IMG\_0017] [IMG\_9996] [IMG\_0041] Created the SVG file in Inkscape. Converted to .nc file using Easel. Added a lead-out to the gcode by using a regex in Atom (code editor). Cut the pattern into 3/4" plywood using the Maslow. Cut the circle using a router on a jig. Painted the inside of each cutout with epoxy resin to make a seal. Filled the cutouts with colored epoxy resin using condiment dispensers. Added some edge banding to hide the plywood edge. Sanded smooth, and put three lay… That is one first project!!! Can’t wait to see more from you!